Two New CEOs Are Named
WESTLAKE, Ohio-Jill M. Ellison has been named manager/CEO of Lakeshore Community CU. Ellison is also Treasurer on the board. In Alton, Ill., Rick Sebold is retiring from Community FCU after 37 years. In Rolla, Mo., Scott Shults as been named president/CEO of Rolla FCU. Shults was previously VP with Progressive Ozark Bank.
SESLOC Plans HQ Project
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.-SESLOC FCU is planning to build a new, 9.5-acre office campus here, with hopes to open in the summer of 2014. The $600-million credit union plans a 39,000-square-foot headquarters and a separate, 5,000-square-foot credit union branch. About 10,000 square feet in the new HQ will be available for commercial lease space.
Empower Cuts Power-And Saves
SYRACUSE, N.Y.-Empower FCU said it is saving $2,745 per month-or almost $33,000 per year-after exterior LED lighting upgrades at seven of its branches. The lighting upgrades, performed by SmartWatt Energy, also yielded a $69,161 rebate through the National Grid Small Business Services Program.
$80K In Grants Awarded
ALEXANDRIA, Va.-NCUA has awarded $80,000 dollars in grants to 22 low-income CUs under the Student Internship Grant Initiative, which provides eligible low-income designated credit unions with up to $4,000 dollars in funding for hiring student interns for the summer. Those receiving grants include Alamo FCU, Community Regional CU, Core CU, Desert Valley FCU, Everyone's FCU, First NRV FCU, Gold Coast FCU, Hartford Municipal EFCU, Hickory Spring FCU, High Plains FCU, JSTC EFCU, Louisiana Catholid FCU, Orion FCU, Pacific Crest FCU, PHB Employees FCU, Queens Cluster FCU, St. Josephs Canton Parish FCU, U.T., FCU, Ukrainian Self-Reliance FCU, Vantage Point FCU, Washtenaw FCU and Woodlawn FCU.
Book Offers Unique Model
OVERLAND PARK, Kan.-Lisa Renner, a former CEO and 15-year veteran of credit unions, has published a new book called "1+1=3: The New Math of Business Strategy." The book offers strategies for unlocking "growth in today's business environment by collaborating with your competition." Acknowledging that sounds counter-intuitive, Renner's book uses examples from a diverse group of companies to "unveil a simple-to-follow framework, step-by-step action plans, and practical tools to help you grow your business using competitive collaboration." For info: www.lisarennerspeaks.com.
BizKid$ Gets Three Emmy Nods
MADISON, Wis.-Biz Kid$ has received three Daytime Emmy Award nominations from the National Academy of Television Arts & Science in the categories Outstanding Achievement in a Single Camera Editing, Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing, and Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing. Biz Kid$ is the CU-funded public TV series that teaches kids about money management and entrepreneurship.
CUES Seeking Next Top Exec
MADISON, Wis.-CUES has launched its "Next Top Credit Union Exec Challenge" and is accepting nominations through June 14. The competition is open to CU professionals ages 35 and younger who "exemplify credit union leadership at its best." Under the program, participants will have the chance to pitch a current program or project they are leading at their CU, or present an idea that would advance either their own CU or the industry. The challenge will award more than $50,000 in prizes, and one young credit union professional will earn the title of CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec. For info: www.cues.org.
Scholarship Apps Being Sought
MADISON, Wis.-Enrollment for World Council's Young Credit Union People (WYCUP) scholarship program, an international networking and educational opportunity for CU leaders age 35 and younger, is accepting nominations until June 3. The program and awards ceremony will take place at the 2013 World Credit Union Conference in Ottawa, Canada, July 14-17. For info: www.woccu.org/wycup.
Idaho Leaders Are Honored
BOISE, Idaho-The Idaho CU League has named as the winner of 2013 Outstanding Professional of Year the Award, Greg Sonnen, CEO of Cottonwood Community FCU. Since 2004, Sonnen has overseen growth to $73 million in assets from $28 million. Kimber Ricks, board member with Beehive FCU, was named Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. Separately, Shane Berger, CEO of Beehive FCU has been elected as the new chair of the ICUL.
