General Counsel to CEO: Brad Bergmooser’s Blueprint for People First Leadership in the AI Era

PossibLaw

In this episode of PossibLaw, host Salvador Carranza sits down with Brad Bergmooser, lawyer turned credit union CEO, wrestler dad, and people first leader, to dive into intentional culture building, making bold business decisions in financial services, building people first for a successful company later, and how he swapped legalese for the C-suite. He has guided Financial Plus Credit Union to $1.5 billion in assets through mergers, rebrands, and rapid technology and automation roll-outs. Brad shares candid stories about risk assessment, transparent decision making, and staying grounded through parenting, gym time, and lifelong learning.

Along the way we unpack how emotional adaptability and emotional intelligence shape executive choices, why investing in people beats chasing quarterly numbers, and what founders and startup teams can learn from Brad’s unconventional journey. We even connect the dots between community finance, legal tech trends, and the coming wave of artificial intelligence. If you want to sharpen your entrepreneurial edge in the age of AI, stick around.

🔑 Takeaways

• People first: Use the company to build people, not vice-versa.

• Internal mobility wins—100+ promotions stemmed from individual development plans.

• Mergers, rebrands & tech launches demand crystal-clear transparency and comms.

• Work-life “integration” beats outdated balance myths—find fulfillment, then grind.

• Small-business lending gaps = huge niche for credit-union innovation.

• Cross-disciplinary experience (law ➜ finance ➜ CEO) multiplies leadership impact.

• Humility, initiative & strong work ethic trump résumés in hiring decisions.

• Every generation must redefine workplace norms without losing respect for history.

• Profits aren’t bad—where they go matters; credit-union surplus fuels member value.

• Automation & AI will reshape compliance, customer service, and growth strategy—start preparing now.

🔈 Sound Bites

"Everything a bank does, we do."

"The legacy I will leave is in the people."

"Life's too short. Go find what you enjoy."

👤 Guest Bio

Brad R. Bergmooser is President & CEO of Financial Plus Credit Union (Michigan). A former legal and public-policy professional, Brad transitioned from the law firm trenches and state-senate campaigns to become General Counsel at $2 billion BCU before taking the helm at Financial Plus. He holds a J.D., an MBA from Notre Dame, and still hits the wrestling mats with his two sons between board-meetings.

🔗 Connect With Brad

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradbergmooser

• Financial Plus CU: www.myfpcu.com

🔗 More From Salvador

• Full library of founder stories & professional-growth interviews: https://possiblaw.substack.com

• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvadorcarranza

👉 If you’re fascinated by entrepreneurship, professional growth, and mastering the mindset to succeed, hit Subscribe and tap the bell so you never miss an episode!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Brad Bergmoser and Financial Plus Credit Union

00:43 Personal Life and Hobbies of Brad Bergmoser

03:51 Educational Background and Transition to Law

05:04 Early Career in Politics and Its Impact

06:34 Entry into the Credit Union Industry

09:37 Becoming General Counsel at Baxter Credit Union

11:37 The Role of General Counsel and Business Integration

17:10 Becoming the CEO at Financial Plus

21:47 Employee Development and Training Initiatives

23:14 Building a Culture of Growth and Development

26:10 The Importance of Individual Development Plans

28:53 Broadening Career Paths Beyond Traditional Vertical Growth

29:45 Navigating Career Growth and Multidisciplinary Experience

34:56 Identifying Talent and Leadership Qualities

37:07 Work-Life Integration in a Post-Pandemic World

43:14 Understanding Credit Unions and Their Role

51:03 Brad's Journey to Financial Plus and Leadership Lessons