MEMBER PROFILE

Diane Hecht

While living in New Jersey in 1995, I decided to move to Ithaca to care for my elderly mother and to purchase a home here. My daughter set up appointments for me at Alternatives to discuss obtaining a mortgage and I remember her telling me not to dress up "NJ Style" as the small credit union on State Street in Ithaca was not like any bank I'd ever seen. She was so right! In the lobby dogs were barking and waiting for their snacks from the very casually dressed tellers, while babies were playing in areas provided by the Credit Union - that was the beginning of my love affair with Alternatives.

Over the past 13 years since offering me that first mortgage, as both Alternatives and I have grown and prospered, they have provided Home Equity loans to help me care for my mother, create my own small business, and this past spring to re-mortgage and pay off debts. The wonderful people in the Alternatives mortgage department offer amazing expertise in a very caring manner. Many thanks to all of you at Alternatives who offer your services for our community!

Alternatives is excited to welcome its March Business of the Month: 
KZ Design!

KZ Design is a new venture in the design world for long time Alternatives member Karen Zieders.  Karen has worked in various firms over the past 25 years, specializing in kitchen and bath design, paint color selection, and general space planning.  As Karen says, "having my own business gives me a chance to include a broader spectrum of materials in my designs, such as antiques, hand crafted items, reclaimed building materials and LED technology.  It’s exciting to mix old and new, creating unique, functional, and beautiful environments!"

If you are a business owner or entrepreneur and a member of the credit union, you too could be our “Business of the Month"!  For more information or to secure a space on the business showcase calendar, contact Alison.