CUES Names Golden Mirror Winners
MADISON, Wis.-CUES has named the winners of its 2011 Golden Mirror Awards. In all, 144 entries out of 560 earned awards for marketing excellence. Top honors went to:
* GMA Best of Show: Joline Epple, Target CU, Minneapolis.
* GMA Rookie of the Year: Janna Bergstedt, First Community CU, Jamestown, N.D.
* GMA Golden Shoestring: Marketing Team, Belvoir FCU, Woodridge, Va.
Tree Planted In 9/11 Memory
ROCHESTER, N.H.-Holy Rosary Credit has planted a gum tree in front of its corporate office in remembrance of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. The credit u nion noted that in July 2011, 40 sweet gum trees were offered as gifts of remembrance from New York City's National Sept. 11 Memorial & Museum and were planted by the families of Flight 93. HRCU staff wore commemorative 9/11 pins that reflected the sentiment "We Remember...9.11."
Steele Announces Retirement Date
BILLINGS, Mont.-C.H. "Chuck" Steele, CEO of Valley FCU for the past 26 years, said he will retire at year-end from the $170-million CU.
16 Named To Filene i3 Group
MADISON, Wis.-The Filene Research Institute has selected 16 executives to join its i3 (Ideas, Innovation, Implementation) program. New members are: Dana Clark of Connex CU; Joline Epple of Target Corporation Credit CU; Betsy Guerrero of Westerra CU; Jean Hughes of CommunityAmerica CU; Jennifer Kulkoski of First Financial CU; Adam Marlowe of Georgia's Own CU; Josh McAfee of Leaders CU; Michelle Merkley of Keystone FCU; Sandra Sagehorn-Elliot of Bellco CU; Soma Sarkar of Credit Union of New Jersey; James Simon of Suncoast Schools CU; Michael Spink of North Carolina Local Government FCU; Ray Springsteen of Fort Knox CU; Steve Webb of Neighbors CU; Jason Werts of Unitus Community CU; and Linda Young of Coast Capital Savings CU.
Tiny Kansas CU Taken Over
TOPEKA, Kan.--The Kansas Department of Credit Unions (KDCU) has taken control of $1.8-million Enterprise CU and ordered a fraud audit, after which a decision will be made on either a liquidation or a merger.
Reality Fairs Traveling Texas
FARMERS BRANCH, Texas-The Texas CU League has created two traveling "Reality Fair" sets for use by the state's CUs. To date, six fairs have been held in high schools offering an interactive financial literacy tool for students.
Oakland, Pelham Are Recognized
TUKWILA, Wash.-In recognition of his 25 years leading BECU, the Washington and Oregon CU Foundation has named President/CEO Gary Oakland as winner of the Mark of Excellence honor, the highest honor offered by the Foundation's Summit Awards. Also recognized as its CU Professional of the Year was Gene Pelham, CEO at Rogue FCU and a 26-year CU veteran.
Tyson New SVP At NAFCU
WASHINGTON-NAFCU has named Karen Tyson as its new SVP-marketing and communications. Tyson was most recently SVP-communications for the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA).
Wright Named To Top Women List
ST. PAUL, Minn.-Kristina Wright, VP-Association Services for the Minnesota CU Network (MnCUN), has been named as a Finance & Commerce 2011 Top Women in Finance honoree. The program recognizes the efforts of women who are making notable contributions to their professions and communities.
Credit Unions At 'Crossroads'
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.-The University of Virginia hosted 65 CU leaders and academics at its "Credit Unions at the Crossroads" Symposium, which encouraged candid discussion on how to address the system's most pressing issues, including: slow growth in market share; reaching today's youth; addressing capital needs; key regulatory issues; and cooperation within the system.
During the coming months, the event's co-sponsors-the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business and the McIntire School of Commerce-will work with the Filene Research Institute to analyze discussion from the event, identifying current research from Filene that best speaks to the "credit union of the future."
Maryland/DC League Taps CU VP As New CEO
COLUMBIA, Md.-The Maryland and DC Credit Union Association has named John Bratsakis as its new president/CEO, effective in early October. Bratsakis is currently senior VP with the $1.5-billion Baxter Credit Union in Vernon Hills, Ill., and serves on CUNA's Governmental Affairs Committee. He has also served on the boards of the Illinois league and its service corporation. From 1997-2007, Bratsakis was CEO of Community Trust Credit Union in Gurnee, Ill.
E&A Credit Union Is Named As An 'Engaged Workplace'
PORT HURON, Mich.-E&A Credit Union has been named one of the 50 Most Engaged Workplaces in the United States by I Love Rewards, Inc. Winners were selected based on eight measures, including leadership, culture, vision and values.
NCUA's 'MyCreditUnion.gov' Site Now Also In Spanish
ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA's has introduced a Spanish version of its MyCreditUnion.gov consumer website at http://espanol.mycreditunion.gov. The site offers information on credit unions and personal financial tips.
CUES Makes Donation In Honor of Carol Humenick
MADISON, Wis.-CUES has contributed $5,000 to Good Works Inc., in honor of former board member and past chairman Carol Humenick, CCE, who served on the CUESî board from 2001-2011. Ms. Humenick passed away on August 27, 2011. Good Works Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to repairing homes and restoring hope for low-income homeowners in Chester County, Penn.
Freedom Credit Union Absorbs Salem FCU Via Merger
WARMINSTER, Penn.-The $490-million Freedom Credit Union has absorbed via merger the $200,000 Salem FCU, which has 449 members.
Paulson, Rose, Smith Named As Next Top Exec Judges
MADISON, Wis.-The judges for CUES' Next Top Credit Union Exec have been announced: Peter Paulson, president/CEO, Corporate America Family CU in Elgin, Ill.; Jan Rose, president/CEO, E&A CU in Port Huron, Mich., and Greg Smith, CEO, PSECU in Harrisburg, Penn. Judges are responsible for keeping up to date on the projects each of the six finalists are reporting on at NextTopCreditUnionExec.com and for viewing the final presentations during which each finalist will be given 10 minutes to recap their project at CUES' CEO/Executive Team Network in Las Vegas in November.
Dakotas' CUs Sponsor Conference On Flood Recovery
BISMARCK, N.D.-More than 200 people attended the Community Flood Recovery Conference here sponsored by the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas (CUAD) and 10 local CUs. CUAD's CEO/President Robbie Thompson spoke at the opening session. The meeting included local nd national dignitaries and addressed issues surrounding recent flooding of the Red River.
Idaho league Marks 75th Anniversary
BOISE, Idaho-The Idaho CU League is marking its 75th anniversary. Founded by nine CUs in 1936, today the league represents 59 credit unions. An open house was hosted by the league at its offices to mark the event.
1st Advantage's Parks To Retire
YORKTOWN, Va.--1st Advantage FCU said that EVP/COO Trudy Parks will retire in January 2012 following a career that began in 1970 as an administrative assistant and bookkeeper when the CU was still known as Ft. Eustis FCU. "During her long and successful career at 1A, Parks has played an instrumental role in the credit union's growth and organizational development," the credit union said in a statement.
