Meet Laura Beth

Laura Beth is the President and Founder of Crimson Oak Strategies, where she works closely with credit unions to build tailored compliance and risk management programs. With over a decade of specialized credit union experience, she specializes in designing compliance and risk frameworks that fit the unique needs of each credit union she serves.

She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Master of Science in Finance and Economics from West Texas A&M University. Her professional background includes roles as an Auditor at Waypoint Advisory Services, Compliance Specialist at Tinker Federal Credit Union, Risk Manager at Oklahoma's Credit Union, and most recently VP of Risk and Strategy at Las Colinas Federal Credit Union.

Certifications

• CFE — Certified Fraud Examiner, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

• NCRM — Certified Risk Manager, NAFCU

• NCCO — Certified Compliance Officer, NAFCU

• NCBSO — Certified Bank Secrecy Act Officer, NAFCU

What Laura Beth Offers

• Tailored compliance program development for credit unions

• Risk management program design and implementation

• Full-service compliance consulting across the Crimson Oak suite

• Strategic guidance for credit union leadership and boards

Beyond the Office

Family and faith anchor Laura Beth's life outside of work. She and her husband Stephen are raising four young children on a multigenerational family compound in Cleburne, Texas, surrounded by grandparents, aunts, and uncles. The farm keeps them grounded — with two dogs, a coop full of chickens, garden, and several horses.

Meet Stephen

Stephen brings a strong foundation in accounting and finance to Crimson Oak Strategies, where he leads our fractional accounting and CFO services for credit union clients.

He holds dual Bachelor's degrees in Accounting and Finance from the University of Oklahoma. His professional background includes roles as a Staff Accountant at the University of Oklahoma, VP Controller at Mesquite Credit Union, and Physician Compensation Supervisor at Cook Children's Hospital.

What Stephen Offers

• Fractional accounting services tailored to credit unions

• Fractional CFO support and financial oversight

• Process refinement and reporting for credit union operations

Beyond the Office

Outside of work, Stephen is a devoted husband and father of four, a committed follower of Jesus, and a Sunday School teacher. He's a lifelong Oklahoma Sooners fan and the go-to problem solver at home — whether that means wrangling chickens, changing light bulbs, or leading meaningful conversations around the dinner table.

Meet Kaitlyn

Kaitlyn is a CUCO-certified Compliance Officer at Crimson Oak Strategies, where she serves as a relationship owner and project manager for credit union clients. She works closely with credit union teams, auditors, examiners, and supervisory committees to help clients navigate regulatory expectations, strengthen compliance programs, and support the overall safety and soundness of their institutions.

Her approach combines regulatory knowledge, project management, and a relationship-focused mindset. Kaitlyn coordinates complex engagements, translates regulatory requirements into actionable guidance, and keeps projects moving from planning through completion.

Before joining Crimson Oak, Kaitlyn spent nearly a decade in education as a teacher, instructional coach, department head, and curriculum designer. Her experience leading teams, managing complex systems, analyzing data, and developing professional training brings a distinctive perspective to her work in financial services.

Certifications

• CUCO — Credit Union Compliance Officer

What Kaitlyn Offers

• Relationship management and project coordination for credit union engagements

• Policy reviews and compliance program support

• Vendor management and audit coordination

• Translating regulatory requirements into practical, actionable guidance

Beyond the Office

When she isn't working with clients, Kaitlyn can be found at home in Bono with her husband, where she spends her free time reading and making pottery. She also enjoys mahjong, fishing, and time with family and friends.

Meet Samantha

Samantha is a Senior Compliance Consultant at Crimson Oak Strategies, bringing more than 20 years of financial services experience — including over 13 years specializing in compliance, risk management, and regulatory oversight. She focuses primarily on credit union compliance, working with clients to translate complex regulatory requirements into clear, actionable solutions.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics with a minor in Law & Society from the University of California, San Diego. Having worked her way through a variety of operational and compliance roles throughout her career, Samantha brings a distinctive combination of technical expertise and real-world experience to the institutions she serves.

Certifications

• CRCM — Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager

What Samantha Offers

• Credit union compliance program support and oversight

• Regulatory risk management and guidance

• Practical, collaborative solutions for complex compliance challenges

• Operational insight drawn from two decades in financial services

Beyond the Office

Samantha is an avid reader who will choose a paperback over an audiobook every time and enjoys nearly every genre of music. Outdoors, she can be found hiking, surfing, or boating, and she and her husband and stepdaughter are slowly working their way through the U.S. National Parks. At home, she's a proud dog mom to Cruz, her four-year-old Briard.