The Urteagas: USAA’s power couple protects customers from fraud
Posted on Monday, April 24, 2017
Gerry Urteaga (MBA ‘02) and his wife Martina Urteaga (MBA ‘01) get the question a lot: How did you two end up in the same Enterprise Financial Crimes unit at USAA, working four rows apart?
Long story short: crazy coincidence.
Before arriving at USAA three years ago, Martina, 44, had carved out a distinguished career in fraud prevention with several companies. With her skill and experience, USAA promoted her in 2015 to Corporate Security Investigations Manager.
Gerry, 45, meanwhile, had enjoyed considerable success as a financial analyst during two stints at USAA and elsewhere. So the offer to join the Enterprise Financial Crimes unit in 2016 came as a surprise.
“They talked me into going into financial crimes,” Gerry said. “I didn’t plan on doing it. It wasn’t part of my career path. But they needed my investment skills in the department. And they needed Martina’s experience in fraud. We got hired for different reasons.”
Gerry manages the Fraud Prevention and Detection team at USAA, which employs 18,000 San Antonians. If a member’s account is compromised, his team investigates and mitigates to prevent further damage. “My team will provide Martina’s team with information about where to chase the money and how to make the member whole,” Gerry said.
Martina’s team recovers money taken fraudulently and returns it to members. “We work very well together,” Martina said. “I really enjoy it. Gerry and I have a great relationship. I know how he thinks. I know the things he wants done. We think a lot alike.”
Gerry and Martina met through a friend in 1998. Martina enrolled in OLLU’s MBA program in 1999 and encouraged Gerry to do the same. They married in October 2002 not long after Gerry earned his MBA from OLLU.
Despite working in such close proximity at USAA, their schedules vary so wildly they do not drive to work together. One day Gerry will have to arrive early for a meeting; the same day Martina will have to stay late. But they do eat lunch together when they can. And away from the office, the Urteagas enjoy hosting dinners for McNair scholars at their home.
“I wanted to help and encourage students on their journey,” Martina said. “I want to answer any questions they may have and provide any guidance I can. I had a fantastic experience at The Lake.”
Gerry enjoys connecting with McNair scholars. “I like the idea of being an example to them and telling them, ‘I was in your place at one point,’” he said. “Martina and I are evidence that if you work hard and stick to your goals, good things will happen.”