Actually, technically and professionally speaking, Dean Christensen, CEO and president of Coast Central Credit Union, is Humboldt, Trinity and Del Norte counties' man.

As for the million dollars (or almost million dollars), that's what a report last week by the Orange County Register said Christensen made in compensation -- which is more than just salary -- in 2008, while the CCCU, meanwhile, saw a $5.2 million loss that same year.

But all is not what it seems. In this week's North Coast Journal, Christensen explains the many nuances the OCR left out -- Great Recession, anyone? Widespread financial industry bonk? And much more.

Check it out, on newsstands now and online Thursday.