MADISON, Wis. The National CU Foundation announced that Gary Oakland, longtime CEO at BECU, the former Boeing Employees’ CU, and a leading advocate for state chartered credit unions, is one of three winners of the 2014 Herb Wegner Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement.
This is the first time in NCUF’s history that three awards for Lifetime Achievement will be given. Oakland’s award will be one of four Herb Wegner Memorial Awards presented at a special dinner hosted by NCUF at the Grand Hyatt Washington on Feb. 24, 2014, during CUNA’s 2014 Governmental Affairs Conference.
Oakland guided BECU to provide aid for more than a dozen low-income credit unions, often single-handedly locating the funds to keep the credit union afloat. BECU also was able to play key roles in the founding of two low-income designate credit unions: TULIP CU and Express CU.
He also oversaw BECU’s creation of Prime Alliance (now Mortgage Cadence), a CUSO that provides mortgage solutions to approximately 600 credit unions. He helped launch Biz Kid$, an award-winning financial education show for youth.
Oakland, who retired in 2012, served on the boards of CUNA and the Washington CU League, the National Association of State CU Supervisors, Filene Advisory Council and Board, and the National CU Foundation.
