Employees With Military Ties Find New Mission at Award-Winning Credit Union

By: Allison Stevens

Navy Federal Credit Union has once again been recognized as one of the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® by Great Place To Work® and Fortune magazine in 2025. This marks the credit union’s 14th consecutive—and 15th overall—appearance on the prestigious list, which assesses how employees feel about their workplace.

“Navy Federal is built on a commitment to member service, a mission which has helped put millions of Americans on the path to financial strength and stability over the past 92 years," said CEO Dietrich Kuhlmann. "None of this would be possible without the commitment and consistency of our 25,000 team members worldwide. It's an honor for us to again be named a Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, recognition that reflects our staff's connection to Navy Federal and the culture we aim to cultivate at our campuses, branches, and office locations.”

Read about the award—and hear from team members in their own words about what makes Navy Federal a unique and special place to work.

Retired Marine Pilot transitions to corporate life

Clay Stackhouse survived numerous challenges during his quarter-century career as an aviator with the US Marine Corps—including combat missions in conflict zones.

But the Florida Veteran says his greatest life challenge came after military service.

"When I took my uniform off after 25 years in the Marine Corps, I really felt like I was losing my purpose,” he said, noting other losses like pride in his work and “family-like” bonds he developed during service. “When you get out, you tend to miss those things.”

But Stackhouse has since found a new purpose at Navy Federal, where he serves as regional manager of a member outreach and engagement team in Pensacola, Florida. In this role, he helps members of the military community secure their finances and achieve their goals, whether that’s buying a car, launching a business or sending kids off to college.

A purposeful mission is one reason why Navy Federal has been recognized this year—for the 15th time—as a Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For. Another reason is its culture of belonging and commitment to those with ties to the military, who comprise nearly half of the credit union’s workforce. And, all team members benefit from a deep well of additional supports, such as investment in retirement funds, reimbursement for education and adoption expenses, loan discounts, onsite health care and fitness facilities, and discounts on travel, entertainment and more.

Transitioning from the Marines’ “warrior culture” to the relative calm of a financial institution was “definitely an adjustment,” Stackhouse says. But in the end, the mission to protect—financially, if not physically—ultimately comes from the same place. For that, Stackhouse is grateful. “We're not the wolf of Wall Street. We’re actually helping Veterans and their families in the military. That's why we get up in the morning.”

Read Clay's Story

Gold Star spouse lands dream career in data science

Amber Sax is only a decade into her career in data science, but she knows she’ll spend the rest of it at Navy Federal Credit Union. “I will be here for life,” she declares.

Why? Because two years ago, the unthinkable happened: Sax’s husband, Capt. John J. Sax, a Marine aviator, perished during a routine flight training mission near their home in southern California. Four other Marines also lost their lives that summer day—Capt. Nicholas Losapio, Cpl. Nathan Carlson, Cpl. Seth Rasmuson and Lance Cpl. Evan Strickland—when their aircraft suffered an unrecoverable mechanical failure.

Then six months pregnant with their second child, Sax asked a colleague to pass her devastating news on to her manager. She had no idea when—or even if—she would return.

But Navy Federal leapt into action, updating her personnel file, filing necessary claims and coordinating coverage over an indefinite leave. The effort enabled Sax to grieve the loss of her husband and care for her family without fretting about job security.

“I only had to make one phone call to one person,” Sax recalls. “The team provided the support I needed during the most difficult time of my life—and ultimately helped me as I continue to heal.” For that reason alone, she will never, ever leave Navy Federal, she says—and it illustrates why Navy Federal was named a “Best Place to Work in IT” for the 10th year in a row by Computerworld magazine.

Read Amber’s Story

Single mom builds a “totally different life” for family

Jalissa Davis lives to put smiles on other people’s faces. She worked toward that goal for years in the dental industry—and now does the same in the banking sector. Two years ago, divorce left Davis struggling to support herself and three young boys. The daughter of a member of the US Navy, Davis needed a change—and found it at Navy Federal.

Her new role as a member service representative changed her life. Virtually overnight, her pay more than tripled, and she had access to a slew of benefits that support working parents, and women in particular, such as a flexible work schedule and the ability to work from home; paid leave; and referrals to child and elder care resources. She’s been able to buy a home and a car and meet her family responsibilities, thanks to the credit union’s flexible and hybrid scheduling options. And she’s thrived, winning awards and promotions.

The credit union supports women in many other ways, too. Internally, it runs programs to support military spouses and women in technology, and externally, it supports nonprofits that advocate for gender equity in the military and support for military spouses.

“My role at Navy Federal is more than just a job,” Davis says. “When I walk through Navy Federal’s doors, I smile. And a smile goes a long way.”

Read Davis’s Story

To learn more about job opportunities and employee benefits at Navy Federal, visit Navy Federal’s careers page.