MADISON, Wis.—CUES has announced the naming of the judges for its 2021 CUES Emerge competition.
Selected as judges are:
- Judy DeLucca, president/CEO, New Orleans Firemen’s FCU, Bogalusa, La.
- Kathy DuVall, president/CEO, San Francisco Fire CU
- Jim Minge, CEO, Texas Trust CU, Mansfield, Texas
- Michele Garcia, VP-human resources, AmeriCU, Rome, N.Y.
- Jeff Shewfelt, Co-CEO, G&F Financial Group, Burnaby, B.C.
CUES noted that after an initial cohort of 32 applicants were selected into CUES Emerge, 29 continued on into the competition phase of the program, where the judging panel evaluated and scored each participant’s business plan.
The association said judging was based on criteria including project need, value to stakeholders, and realistic viability. The five highest-ranking applicants were then named as Finalists.
Judges are also responsible for evaluating the final presentations that will happen online, live from Currency’s video production studio. The final presentations can be viewed on CUESEmerge.com on Oct. 6 at 1:00 p.m. CT.
A ‘Critical Eye’
“The judges will be viewing the final presentations with a critical eye toward the Finalist’s ability to clearly articulate their business idea, and describe the benefits,” CUES said.
Each Finalist will be given seven minutes to recap their project, followed by a three-minute Q&A session with Currency’s Tim McAlpine. A Top 3 will be chosen, and ultimately, the winner of CUES Emerge, CUES explained.
“The judges have told us that the competition was stiff this year, and that it was difficult to narrow the field down to our five finalists,” said Nicole Morrison, CUES’ VP-marketing. “I can’t wait to see how they do with the Live Pitch Show. There are business plans that cover the credit union world in general, and others applied to a specific problem at their credit union. All of them are worthy.”
Objective of Program
CUES said its CUES Emerge program was created to offer free professional development to the industry’s up-and-coming leaders. Participants who complete the course work and business case earn the Certified Credit Union Manager designation in recognition of their commitment to their career, credit union and the industry.
For info, visit CUESEmerge.com