Mr. Reed is the President and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of Maine Savings Federal Credit Union and more importantly, one of our distinguished Alumni of the University of Maine Business School. He was kind enough to take time to do an interview with us and share his experiences with the MBA program.

 Krystle: What did you do after graduating from UMaine?

Mr. Reed: After graduating from UMaine in 1979 with a degree in Political Science, I went to work in a family retail business.  I worked with my father in the business for about two years.  It was a very rewarding experience, but I soon discovered that my ideas didn’t quite mesh with my father's concerning the future direction of the enterprise.

 While working on my undergraduate degree at UMaine, I was careful to complete many courses in the business school to compliment my Political Science Degree.  I had the desire to get involved in finance for quite some time and was interested in banking, really since graduating.  As an aside, my Dad had been a bank manager early in his career prior to starting his own business.

 Without banking experience, I needed some type of conduit that might lead to a banking career at a later date.  Although patience is a virtue, it’s hard to recognize that at a young age.  Fortunately I kept my eye on my dream and took a job in the finance field working for Prudential Investments, selling life insurance and a host of different investment products.

 After three successful years with Prudential, I started looking at banking opportunities.  Long story short, Norstar, a large regional bank hired me to manage one of their branches.  They were looking for a degreed individual with some finance background, but substantial sales experience.  I seemed to fit the bill.  And that is where my “banking” career actually started.

 Krystle: How did you achieve the success you have found in your career?

Mr. Reed: To be successful at anything, be it family, fun, or work, you need to be PASSIONATE!  If you aren’t passionate about your work, make a change.  There is so much to do out there, don’t waste too much time if you’re not happy at your job.

 I am passionate every day at my work.  You have to have a balance between family and work, but hopefully you can be passionate about your private and public life.  If you enjoy what you are doing, you can dream.  And if you work hard enough, dreams can come true.

 I feel blessed every day about my family life and my career.   I feel blessed that my career is my passion and it’s not considered “work.”

 So, find passion in your work and you’ll find success.

 Krystle: Did UMaine help you get to your current job and if so how?

Mr. Reed: I was “searching” as an undergraduate.  And after my freshman year, I was almost searching for full time work.  I did mature some by my second year, thank God, and was able to finish the first four years “on time” and with a somewhat decent GPA.

 My message to undergraduates is persevere.  There’s a lot happening those early years in life and being on your own.  Make it through it and you’ll be a better person for the effort.  It will provide you with the basics to move on to something that may interest you.  I really didn’t know what I wanted to do until a few years after receiving my undergraduate degree.

 I obtained my MBA while working full time in the banking profession.  I felt much more at ease about my career interests and what I wanted and needed out of my education.  Everything I touched in the graduate program at UMaine was extremely valuable and useful then (early in my career) and now.

 Even now as I’m very involved on a strategic level, I re-read text books, notes, etc. that I collected and kept from my UMaine experience.  I still use the information today in helping me to think and act strategically in my business.  I can even see the profs faces in remembering class discussions about the various materials.

 Many of my professors wrote the text books and/or materials that they used in class.  And I am still in touch with a few of them from time to time.  They have all been very supportive and caring over the years, even after my graduation.

 I don’t believe I would have made it by the first pass when I applied for my current position had it not been for my MBA degree.  I didn’t have quite enough experience to qualify for the position just based on that, but coupled with an MBA from UMaine enabled me to get that important first interview.  It was then up to me to sell myself.

 The knowledge acquired from my MBA gave me the confidence that I could take on the position and succeed.  As I worked through the MBA program I could relate intimately with the subject matter and easily utilize it in my every day practice.

 Krystle: Advice for graduating MBA’s & MSA’s ?

Mr. Reed: My advice is to get busy and do something.  You may end up way away from where you start, but you need a starting point.  I sold shoes when I first started and now sell money.  To be truthful I now coach and lead others to be successful in their lives. 

Money may be important, but be patient.  Find your PASSION and all else will follow.

My MBA from UMaine has been invaluable to me.  It provided me with the contacts, knowledge, and confidence necessary to succeed in a very competitive world.  It’s up to the individual to utilize those tools in a positive manner in order to enjoy a long and successful career.

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