Symitar Founder Prupes Dies
SAN DIEGO-Manny Prupes, 53, the co-founder of data processor Symitar Systems died Feb. 28 after an eight-year battle with leukemia. Funeral services were attended by more than 200 friends and business associates. Along with co-founders John Landis and David Held, Prupes founded Symitar 16 years ago, and his career in the credit union industry spanned more than three decades. Prupes was an avid golfer, and Symitar President Bruce Cormode has announced that the annual golf tournament held in conjunction with Symitar's client conference will be renamed the Manny Prupes Memorial Golf Tournament. The family is asking that any donations be made in Prupes' name to the San Diego office of the Leukemia Society of America.
CSSI Elects Its First Board
MADISON, Wis.-Elected as directors of the new CUNA Strategic Services, Inc., were: Chairman, Nancy Pierce of Mazuma CU; Vice Chair, Guy Hood of the Florida league; Secretary, Juri Valdov of Northwest FCU, Treasurer, Dick Ensweiler of the Texas league; Richard Ghysels of First Financial CU, Gene Poitras of the Oregon league, and Watt Pritchard of San Antonio Telephone FCU.
U.S. Rep. Baldwin Visits CUNA
MADISON, Wis.-U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin visited CUNA's Madison office, which is part of her district. Baldwin told CUNA staff credit unions are very visible on Capitol Hill. Baldwin also met with leaders of Wisconsin- based credit union organizations, including CUNA Mutual President Mike Kitchen, CUNA CU CEO Mary Cunningham, WOCCU CEO Arthur Arnold, the Wisconsin league's Georgia Maxwell, CUNA COO Pete Crear, CUNA Mutual's Larry Blanchard, and Robin Marohn, Heartland Credit Union.
Pete Crear presents Wisconsin Second District Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin with an official copy of CUNA's cookbook, Credit Union Cuisine, during her visit to the Madison CU Center.