Stephen Jones

Stephen Jones never planned to work in financial services. At the University of Missouri, he was heading out of a technology career fair when someone from a bank noticed his name tag and major.

“It was a bit of luck, but someone else being intentional,” Stephen says. “Someone from a financial institution saw my name tag and major, and asked if I had a few minutes to talk.”

That conversation led to an internship, then a post-graduate rotational programme and eventually to his current role as Senior Vice President of Digital Development and Experience at VyStar Credit Union. The Jacksonville-based institution serves over one million members across Florida and Georgia.

“I didn’t understand that financial services are built entirely on technology,” Stephen says. “I’ve discovered this whole industry and world that I didn’t know existed in IT.”

Learning from excellence drives innovation

Stephen draws inspiration from people who excel at their chosen fields. As a fitness enthusiast, he studies how high performers achieve results and applies those lessons to his work.

“On a personal level, I’m inspired by anything or anyone that’s exceptional at what they do, or doing something novel and new,” he says. “I look at people excelling and think, ‘They’ve tapped into something remarkable.’”

This curiosity shapes how Stephen approaches technology challenges at VyStar. He constantly researches industry developments to identify trends before they become widespread.

The technology sector’s constant evolution appeals to Stephen. “It’s constantly evolving. You can never rest on your laurels in this industry, and there’s always something new and exciting to explore,” he says.

Rather than viewing technological replacement as wasted effort, Stephen sees it as progress. "There's a bit of nostalgia you might want to hold onto, but it's great to know that something better, faster, more efficient, or easier for users has come along."

Strategic planning balances present and future

Since joining VyStar in 2022, Stephen has consolidated everything from product conception through final delivery. His teams handle the complete digital landscape across the credit union’s technology platforms.

Stephen balances immediate member needs with long-term competitive positioning, ensuring current technology investments provide foundations for future capabilities.

His planning horizon extends six years ahead while addressing immediate requirements. “How are we planning for the next six months, but then how are we planning for the next six years?” he says. “If we’re not doing something now that’s going to be the right foundation or the right stepping stone to get us there, we probably need to rethink our priorities.”

The approach reflects VyStar’s member-centric focus.  Members deserve a consistent, seamless experience, ensuring they can bank with ease and confidence. .

“Our purpose is to do good,” Stephen says. “It’s a simple concept: we want to do good for our members, good in the communities we serve and good in everything we do.”

Read the full story HERE.