R.J. Montes is a retail leader with Dupaco Community Credit Union in Dubuque, IA. He is passionate about encouraging, motivating, and inspiring others to be the best version of themselves in every moment. His mission is to build strong, trusting relationships through purposeful and meaningful engagement, creating opportunities for education that empower individuals to reach their human potential. R.J. holds a B.A. in Marketing from Upper Iowa University and an M.A. in Applied Psychology from Loras College. A self-proclaimed lifelong learner, he has completed numerous leadership and development programs, including the University of Lending, the Emerging Leaders Institute, Leadership Academy I & II, and Dale Carnegie courses. He is also a certified coach, speaker, and presenter with the Maxwell Leadership Team. With over 23 years of experience in retail, financial services, and leadership across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, R.J. brings a wealth of knowledge and a people-first mindset to every role he takes on. Outside of work, R.J. is an ultra-endurance athlete who enjoys training, preparing for, and competing in long-distance events. He lives in Asbury, IA with his wife of 20 years, Lynette, and their two daughters—Layton (13) and Raylyn (9), along with their Boston Terrier, Odie, and bearded dragon, Jeb.