MADISON, Wis.–Forty-seven credit union professionals have been certified as Credit Union Development Educators (CUDEs) after completing the National Credit Union Foundation’s Credit Union Development Education (DE) Training.
The June DE Training was held at the Lowell Center in Madison, Wis., and was attended by employees and volunteers from credit unions and system partners across the United States and Africa.
“DE training was well worth my personal investment of time and energy,” said CUNA President Jim Nussle, who was a member of the latest class. “As we work hard to advocate and build awareness for credit unions, it’s critical that we take time to build our understanding and appreciation of the credit union difference so we can all share that message far and wide.”
The Foundation noted DE Training is an experiential training program that provides lessons in credit union structure, purpose and how they differentiate from other financial institutions.
“During the National Credit Union Foundation’s week-long program, participants are involved in group exercises, field visits and interactive speaker sessions that provide insights into how credit unions can leverage their unique business model to help their members and communities overcome the financial and developmental issues they face,” said the Foundation.
Class Graduates
The most recent DE graduating class included credit union movement representatives from across the U.S, as well as a representative from Kenya. They are: TJ Adkinson, Members 1st FCU in Pennsylvania; Mike Athens, Rio Grande Credit Union in New Mexico; Solomon Atsiaya, Kenya Police Sacco in Kenya; Mitchell Aviles, Farmers Insurance FCU in California; Megan Bell, Duke University FCU in North Carolina; Augusto Bogado, Guadalupe CU in New Mexico; David Brehmer, Vizo Financial Corporate CU in North Carolina; Michelle Christie, GTE Financial in Florida; Heidi Cleveland, Verity Credit Union in Washington; Katy Cook, Ent CU in Colorado; Susan Curtis, Ascension CU in Louisiana; Barbara Demarest, Truliant FCU in North Carolina; Rebecca Dopart, National Credit Union Foundation in Wisconsin; Jeff Fielder, Advia Credit Union in Michigan; Monica Galindo, GECU in Texas; Stephanie Galligan, Filene Research Institute in Wisconsin; Helen Gibson, Denver Community CU in Colorado; Dawn Grohskopf, UnitedOne Credit Union in Wisconsin; Jennifer Hernandez, Canyon State CU in Arizona; Ronna Idzenga, Harborstone Credit Union in Washington; Dena Irwin, Energy Capital CU in Texas; Melisa Kallestad, Credit Union National Association in Wisconsin; Jeanne Kaufman, Heritage Family FCU in Vermont; Brandi Kempfer, Belco Community CU in Pennsylvania; Joy Manley, CULIANCE in South Carolina; Kevin Martin, SchoolsFirst FCU in California; Deborah Mozal, Community Regional CU in Pennsylvania; Lindsey Mueller, CoVantage CU in Wisconsin; Anthony Norman Jr, Local Government FCU in North Carolina; Jim Nussle, Credit Union National Association in the District of Columbia; Rebecca O’Brien, State Highway Patrol FCU in Ohio; Mandy Palmer, Laramie Plains Community FCU in Wyoming; Emily Patterson, UW Credit Union in Wisconsin; Dondrick Paul, Peoples Trust FCU in Texas; Shelly Pendexter, Central CU of Florida in Florida; Julie Renderos, Suncoast CU in Florida; Mike Reuter, World Council of Credit Unions in Wisconsin; Cindy River, TwinStar CU in Washington; Patricia Rodriguez, Resource One CU in Texas; Eric Schillinger, CFCU Community Credit Union in New York; Wil Spears, Coastal Federal Credit Union in North Carolina; Angela Stempson, Red Canoe CU in Washington; Karlene Stewart, PSCU in Florida; Susan Toalson, Credit Union National Association in Wisconsin; Tonita Webb, Seattle CU in Washington; Blake Woods, Lake Trust CU in Michigan; and Staci Wright, Vizo Financial Corporate CU in North Carolina.