AJ Schalk, AVP of AuditLink
AJ Schalk began working at CU*Answers in 2021 as a Client Service Representative. In this role, AJ developed fundamental knowledge of the functionality of the CU*BASE software suite,as well as a growing passion for assisting clients. These skills quickly moved AJ to serve as an Account Executive on the Cards & Payments team, where he managed intricate projects for bill pay and debit card data conversions. Along with project management and ongoing specialized client support, AJ honed his skills to gain a greater understanding of the risk assessment necessary within the world of EFT. In 2023, AJ became a NAFCU Certified Compliance Officer (NCCO) and joined the AuditLink Team as AVP. As the leader of AuditLink, AJ manages business operations and utilizes his regulatory skill set to assist credit unions in alleviating the regulatory mandates that they face daily, as well as preparing credit unions for auditor visits and requests. As an effective and dynamic communicator, AJ prides himself in his ability to train credit unions on BSA and high-risk management with the CU*BASE software suite to ensure that credit unions understand the dept of the software and remain in compliance.
Patrick Sickels, Internal Auditor
Patrick Sickels began his career as an attorney, and quickly branched out into the technological services industry, where he used his legal skills to help companies manage their compliance requirements. Patrick used these skills to develop into a classically trained auditor and risk manager. At CU*Answers, Patrick’s background of law and technology make him uniquely suited to assist credit union clients in managing their risk requirements with a minimum of cost.Patrick is a licensed Certification Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and is pursuing the Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) designation. Patrick has done extensive work in designing risk models and control frameworks for a vast array of commercial, manufacturing, and financial firms. Patrick’s specialty is the design of compliance models which meet legal standards at the lowest possible cost for the organization.