MADISON, Wis.–CUES has named Amy Downs, senior vice president/chief operating officer of the $263-million Allegiance Credit Union in Oklahoma City, as the recipient of the 2017 CUES Exceptional Leader award.
Downs will be honored at CUES’ CEO/Executive Team Network Oct. 10-12 at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Downs, a CUES CEO Institute graduate, has worked for Allegiance Credit Union for more than 25 years, rising to her current position, CUES said. In her role, she is a member of the executive management team in strategizing and directing the overall vision of her credit union. She directly supervises several areas, including consumer lending, information services, business development and financial services.
In April of 1995, Downs became one of 15 surviving Allegiance Credit Union employees who were struck by the Oklahoma City bombing. She is a regular guest speaker at the Oklahoma City National Memorial, where she gives her first-person account, CUES noted.
CUES said that Downs has used her experience as a survivor to inspire others to make positive lifestyle changes, and after the bombing launched a campaign of self-improvement and empowerment by participating in the Oklahoma City Mayor's fitness challenge and lost 200 pounds. An avid cyclist and runner, she spends a lot of time training for marathons and triathlons.
“In addition, Downs was moved to return to the classroom to complete her education, eventually receiving her bachelor of science in organizational leadership, and later a master of business administration—both from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Okla.,” CUES reported.
Downs’ other accomplishments include earning the 2016 CUNA Rock Star Designation, being named a 2015 Journal Record Woman of the Year Honoree, and earning the 2014 Oklahoma City Fittest Executive Designation and the 2006 Southern Nazarene University Distinguished Achievement Award.
CUES Exceptional Leader award acknowledges decision-makers for their ambition, participation, and devotion to their credit union and the movement.
For info: cues.org/recognition