Jack Lawson Awarded 2024 Professional of the Year

A Decade of Visionary Leadership

In 2014, Jack became Clearwater’s President and CEO and spearheaded our adoption of values-based banking, a revolution in our approach to banking. Our core values—responsible banking, inclusivity, empowerment, and impact—are not just words on a page but the guiding principles of every decision, product, and service we offer. Jack’s unwavering commitment to these values aligns us all with a shared mission and purpose. Jack is committed to Clearwater’s mission of being a force for good in banking.

Living Our Values

Jack has championed clean energy initiatives and significantly reduced our environmental footprint. Under his guidance, Clearwater became greenhouse gas neutral in 2021 and was key in developing standards for assessing financial institutions’ environmental impact. Financial inclusion is Jack’s passion. He believes in equitable access to ethical financial services for all. Jack has forged partnerships with HRDC and Native Communities, working to serve those in banking deserts and helping to bring fair financial products to their communities.

Values Based Banking

Under Jack’s leadership, Clearwater Credit Union has undergone a profound transformation. As we approach 2024, we now serve over 60,000+ members, employ over 180 people, and operate across 20 Western Montana counties. Clearwater is the largest Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) in Montana, a member of Inclusiv, and part of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values—a testament to Jack’s leadership in assembling and motivating our exceptional team.

Beyond Clearwater, Jack serves on several boards, including Inclusiv, MCUN, Missoula Economic Partnership, and Missoula Redevelopment Agency (MRA).

Congratulations, Jack, on this well-deserved award, and thank you for the incredible impact you have had and continue to have.