Larry Sharp Steers Arrowhead Credit Union Toward Community Partnerships

By Paula Kasprzyk, Reporter, Highland Community News

Arrowhead Credit Union President and CEO Larry Sharp still coming up with new ideas.

When drivers travel the 215 freeway, between Mill and Second streets, they can't help but notice something very eye-catching.

It is a huge, high-resolution LED digital sign that changes completely every 4 seconds. Of course, it is the Arrowhead Credit Union highway marquee. The unique sign, which was the first in the region, actually has provided advertising for businesses and announcements for local community events since 2007. When asked about the highway marquee, Larry Sharp, President and CEO of Arrowhead Credit Union, said the sign is a partnership between Arrowhead Credit Union, the Inland Empire 66ers, and the City of San Bernardino. “We've found it a good media to talk to the freeway community,” said Sharp.

Larry Sharp looks for programs and partnerships that will benefit the community. Recently, on Feb. 19, he was unveiling yet another partnership, the Home Green Home Kiosk program, which is a partnership between Arrowhead Credit Union, Southern California Gas Company and Southern California Edison. The Home Green Home program, which is the first of its kind in Southern California, consists of energy efficiency information kiosks, which are in sixteen of the larger Arrowhead Credit Union locations, including the branch in Highland at 7285 Boulder Ave. “With this partnership, our members will benefit from educational information, energy reduction rebates from utility companies, and trained loan officers to help with loans for energy-efficient home improvement upgrades.” said Sharp. These programs are available to everyone, not just Arrowhead Credit Union members, added Sharp.

San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris, who was at the Home Green Home Kiosk launch, said Larry Sharp “is the best possible partner in the areas of economic development, transportation issues and environmental sustainability.” Morris continued, “That is the beauty of a locally administered bank, they care deeply about the local community. Arrowhead Credit Union has remained local and that makes it special, their devotion is to this valley.”

According to press materials, last October, Larry Sharp was honored for his 25 years of leadership at Arrowhead Credit Union. Marie Alonzo, Chairman of the Board at Arrowhead Credit Union, recognized Sharp for his commitment to the credit union industry and the communities where Arrowhead Credit Union serves, as well as his visionary optimism.

At the downtown San Bernardino branch of Arrowhead Credit Union, Sharp revealed that management has looked into other regions as possible locations for new branches, but he said, “our real experience is in the Inland Empire … we have looked at Orange County, but are not prepared to go there.” He did say that, in the next three years, there are plans for six new branches in the Inland Empire area, including Riverside, Murrietta, Upland and Moreno Valley.

On the economy, Sharp is optimistic saying, “this is part of the cycle of the economy.” “We expect in the next year to be coming out the back side of that, in terms of creating jobs.”

About their community involvement, according to Sharp, each of the Arrowhead Credit Union branches is encouraged to participate in community events. CEO Sharp leads the way by serving in many capacities for charities and other business organizations. For example, he is the past Chairman of Inland Action. He has served on the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Foundation Board as its Chairman and was appointed as Chairman for the Inland Empire Economic Partnership. Sharp is currently serving as Chairman of the Inland Empire Economic Development, the Inland Empire Transportation Coalition and the California Inland Empire Department of Commerce District Export Council.

In looking toward the future of this community, Sharp explains that the work of the California Inland Empire District Council is “key to this region.” In October there will be a national conference with representatives from all over the country to discuss issues relating to exports and tourism. “Hopefully, we can raise the awareness of the region on the value of exporting,” said Sharp.

Under his leadership, Arrowhead Credit Union has grown from $50 million in assets and six branches to nearly $1.1 billion in assets and twenty-six branches. When asked about his philosophy guiding his business practices, Sharp replied, “I think it makes us successful if we are able to meet the needs of our members. If we miss the mark on that, then we are not going to be successful.”

In addition to partnering on the highway marquee, Arrowhead Credit Union is in a partnership with the Inland Empire 66ers and the City of San Bernardino on the downtown stadium, Arrowhead Credit Union Park.

According to Sharp, they are in the eighth year of a 10-year agreement and negotiations are now beginning for a new contract. “We are absolutely hopeful the arrangement will continue,” he said.

It was while with the Inland Empire 66ers organization that Dave Oldham, former 66ers general manager, first began a collaboration with Sharp on the highway marquee that is seen by thousands of people each day.

Oldham, now vice president of the highway marquee division of Arrowhead Credit Union, says, “The marquee is an obvious way for businesses to reach customers, but it is also a great community tool to announce events.”