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About Us

Creating a better future, step by step

CU NextGen is the CUSO dedicated to bringing next-generation technology to credit unions, helping them improve the service delivered to their members, the daily experiences of their staff members, and the efficiency of their operations.  

CU NextGen is a partnership between Members Development Company, a consortium of 82 owner organizations – including 76 credit unions, and ClaySys Technologies, a technology company with leading products in the no-code application development, robotic process automation (RPA), and artificial intelligence spaces. CU NextGen builds on the work these two innovators have implemented within MDC’s collaborative network of progressive credit unions and represents our shared strategic initiative to deliver next-gen technology beyond the MDC network to credit unions across North America.  

CU NextGen is jointly owned by Members Development Company and ClaySys Technologies. To request more information, click here. 

CU NextGen’s vision and direction is led and guided by a very experienced leadership team that you can review here.

Our Board Members

Vinod Tharakan

Managing Director – ClaySys Group of Companies
CU NextGen Board Chair

Timothy Antonition

President and CEO at Space Coast Credit Union
CU NextGen Board Vice Chair

Jeff Kline

President & CEO – Members Development Company
CU NextGen Board Secretary/Treasurer

James Nastars

President/CEO at Meritrust Credit Union

Tony Saldanha

President, Transformant | Ex Global Shared Services VP and CIO, P&G

Steve Koenen

President/CEO at Altra Federal Credit Union

Kent Zimmer

CEO, CU NextGen

As the CEO of CU NextGen, Kent Zimmer continues his success in shaking up the credit union industry for the better.

For seven years, Kent helped lead Members Development Company, one of CU NextGen’s co-founders, first as the R&D CUSO’s Director of Finance and then as their Senior Vice President of Operations. During that time, he oversaw several of the CUSO’s strategic initiatives, including those that led to the creation of CU NextGen and MDC’s NextUP program, the credit union industry’s preeminent innovation training and development opportunity. Kent is no stranger to the needs of credit unions looking to grow and remain relevant in a financial services marketplace that continues to evolve with ever-increasing rapidity.

Kent brings a strong background in finance, project management, operations, and marketing from his previous career across multiple industries. He earned his bachelor of science in business administration from Northern Arizona University. Kent also brings with him to CU NextGen a determination to execute our vision to futureproof credit unions through the practical application of leading-edge technologies, solutions and next-generation innovation.

Meet the Leadership Team

Kent Zimmer

Chief Executive Officer

Hayley Harrison

Vice President of Business Operations

Natasha Zataray

Client Engagement Manager

Clark Duncan

Product Manager