Paul Lensmeyer was an intelligent man of great vision. He was kind, friendly, and willing to help others in need. As the Chief Executive Officer of Ascentra Credit Union, his vision helped grow and expand the credit union so that more people could have access to a financial service option that put its members first. Many of us in the community were touched by his successful efforts to create an inclusive credit union that made all people feel welcome.
Picture: Paul Lensmeyer at the first official Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce meeting in October 14, 2008
His vision included Hispanic outreach efforts that opened the doors to financial services, loans, and savings programs for many local people. He was one of the first CEO’s to support the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Paul Lensmeyer knew the importance of reaching out to Hispanic owned businesses and saw what benefits would come to the community as a whole through strengthening an ethnically diverse organization like the Hispanic Chamber.
Mr. Lensmeyer participated in conversations with community groups that helped him better understand the financial needs of Hispanic’s in the greater Quad City area. We would often see him at events smiling as he talked with others. His vision helped open doors that put young Hispanics and bilinguals into credit union careers which also provided them with professional development & statewide networking opportunities. These and many other efforts combined with his example of servant leadership have made many Hispanics feel welcome into a credit union and have provided opportunities that were not as visible or available to us in the past.
Paul Lensmeyer was a good man. He was a leader that I admired because he had the courage to try new ideas which in turn has already created a lasting impact on a community and me. He will be greatly missed but remembered by many for all that he did for others.
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
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