WORTH NOTING

Published February 06, 2012, 9:08 a.m. EST

Updated August 26, 2020, 11:02 p.m. EDT

3 Min Read

Wegner Dinner Set For March 19

Processing Content

WASHINGTONâ“The Academy Awards of the Credit Union Community will be presented on March 19 when the National Credit Union Foundation presents its Herb Wegner Awards honors. The awards program is the largest and most prestigious of its kind within credit unions, and will be held in conjunction with CUNA's GAC inside the Grand Ballroom of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington. This year's winners are a "composite of all that is best within the movement, individually and collectively," according to the National Credit Union Foundation. For information: www.ncuf.coop.

4 More Pay Bonus Dividends

TULLAHOMA, Tenn.â“Ascend FCU has paid an $8-million bonus dividend and loan interest refund to members. Over the past seven years it has paid $39 million in such bonuses. In Dover,Ohio, Dover-Phila CU has paid a $1.6-million bonus to members in the form of a 50% bonus dividend on savings and an 8% interest rebate on loans. In Raleigh, N.C., Coastal FCU has paid a $1.5-million bonus to members of its VIP program, which requires certain relationships with CFCU. And in Midland, Mich., Dow Chemical Employees CU paid members a $7.3-million bonus, based on certain relationships.

Trio Of New CEOs Named

FRANKFORT, Ky.â“Karen C. Harbin has been named president/CEO of the $909-million Commonwealth CU. Harbin was previously EVP/VP-finance. In Pittsburgh, Karen Janoski has been named CEO of Greater Pittsburgh Police FCU, replacing Sandy Lazzara, who has retired after 35 years. Janoski was most recently CEO of Consumer Healthcare FCU in Moon Township, Penn. Meanwhile, Seattle Metropolitan CU has named Richard Romero as its new CEO. Romero was previously COO with Los Angles Firemen's CU.

Contest Honors Board Member

COLUMBUS, Ohio.â“Credit Union of Ohio has renamed fourth annual $7,500 video scholarship contest in honor of Steve Stoffel, a 16-year board member who died of cancer. The contest is open to college students who create a short video showing how they manage their money and what they'd do with extra cash.

Columbia Forms Trade Group

BOGOTA, Colombiaâ“This country's 192 credit unions have formed a new credit union trade association: The AsociaciÃ³n Colombiana de Cooperativas Financieras y de Ahorro y CrÃ©dito.

Navy Federal Named To Top 100

VIENNA, Va.â“Fortune magazine has ranked Navy FCU as #95 on their 15th annual list of The 100 Best Companies To Work For. The primary criteria for inclusion on the list is how employees score their workplace. Navy Federal has more than 8,500 employees.

Seven New 'igniters' Named

INDIANAPOLISâ“Seven new people have joined ignite, an initiative of the Indiana league that is focused on developing innovations among CUs. The new "igniters" are: Elaine Rinehart of Eli Lilly FCU, Courtney Keeler of FORUM CU, Mike Pence of KEMBA CU, Craig Dauksas of Members Choice FCU, Karen Houser of Natco CU, Catrina Tate of Teachers CU, and Raine Lee of Vigo County FCU.

Bierecki Named To European Assembly

SOPOT, Poland â“ Grzegorz Bierecki, president and CEO of the National Association of Cooperative Savings & Credit Unions (NACSCU), Poland's CU trade association, has been named to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Europe's oldest international parliamentary group. Bierecki, who is WOCCU'ss first vice chair, is also a senator in Poland's parliament.

More Mergers Are Announced

YAKIMA, Wash.â“Yakima Valley CU and Catholic CU here report they have completed their merger, which has created Solarity CU. In Twin Falls, Idaho, Times-News Employees FCU has closed operations and merged into Magic Valley FCU. And in Grants Pass, OreSOCU Community CU has merged into the $700-million Oregon First Community CU, Coquille, Ore., and will now operate as an affiliate.

25 People Named To Catalyst Councils

PLANO, Texasâ“Catalyst Corporate FCU said it has named 24 people to its newly created, regional Catalyst Councils. Members include Lisa Coen, Kathi M. Gill, Karyn Gonyea, Linda Jeffery, Jared Johnstone, Keith Kearney, Kim Tory Kyle, Derrick Peterson, Drew Schmid, Andrea Stocks, Marty Tressell, Diane Ward, Brian Akin, Tim Bridges, Sean Ferrell, Kevin Hill, Walter Hobby, Bevery Knutsen, Gary Kyle, Maggie Martinez, Keith Pritchard, Issa Stephan, Mary Svoboda, and Sam Whitehurst. Members of its Western Regional Catalyst Council are still to be named.