FORT WORTH, Texas–During its Denim and Diamonds Dinner here, the Cornerstone Credit Union League inducted two “credit union legends” into its Hall of Fame for 2017: Barbara Stephens and Dick Ensweiler.
Separately, Ensweiler, who was recently profiled in CUToday.info here, was also honored by having a new research library at America’s Credit Union Museum named for him.
Separately, the Cornerstone league presented its Professional of the Year Award to Lily Newfarmer.
The Recognition Committee's Ayn Talley introduced Stephens, president/CEO of Houston Metropolitan FCU, by saying, "Attracted to the credit union movement by its motto, 'Not for profit, not for charity, but for service,' Barbara Stephens began her distinguished career in credit unions. When we talk about leaving a legacy, you can do no better than to emulate this unique trailblazer."
Former WOCCU President and CEO Pete Crear was quoted as saying of Stephens, “She has made many lasting contributions over the years, but none more important than the nurturing of the African-American Credit Union Coalition. Thanks to her efforts, today the work of the coalition is measured by the scholarships and mentoring it provides to young minority men and women who are interested in a career in credit unions."
Talley added, "We all know that a person's resume cannot fully encompass or portray the scope of a person's contributions over a lifetime of passion and dedication. Barbara has provided a legacy that will live on through the many credit unions she's impacted and the thousands of lives she's touched."
Retiring CCUL CEO Dick Ensweiler was honored throughout the Cornerstone league meeting, including the induction into the Hall of Fame. "There's a reason Dick Ensweiler is known throughout the credit union movement as a trailblazer," said Cornerstone Chairman Kenny Harrington. “We have only to read his robust list of accomplishments to understand the significance of his 50-year career in credit unions, including 22 years as the president and CEO of the Cornerstone Credit Union League, Cornerstone Credit Union Foundation, and Credit Union Resources.
"At the end of this month, we'll send Dick off to his next big adventure in retirement with his beloved Judy at his side, and we know that once we set him free, he'll be hard to catch up with," Harrington continued. "That's a man who doesn't let any grass grow under his feet. But we want to be sure that this trailblazer's influence in the credit union movement is memorialized in our Hall of Fame, where we recognize only those we hold in the highest esteem."
In addition, during the meeting Ensweiler was also honored with a proclamation that the new America’s Credit Union Museum Library will be named the Richard L. “Dick” Ensweiler Research Library. Stephanie Smith, executive director of Manchester, N.H.-based America’s Credit Union Museum, and Michael L’Ecuyer, chairman of America’s Credit Union Museum, revealed the name to the credit union executives in attendance. A video showcasing Dick’s legacy and commitment to industry was shown and Ensweiler was presented with a pair of engraved bookends for his personal library.
Ensweiler served on the board of America’s Credit Union Museum for more than a decade and was instrumental in championing the Museum’s Legacy Capital Campaign.
The Research Library will be located in the to-be-constructed CUNA Research center building adjacent to America’s Credit Union Museum. The Research Library will become the exclusive physical and digital repository of U.S. credit union history.
Among the first to step up with financial support for the Library was University Federal Credit Union in Austin, Texas.
“Dick and Judy Ensweiler are bigger-than-life credit union leaders who, over decades of service to the movement, worked tirelessly to ensure the credit union brand remains strong, that big and small have opportunities to thrive, and that the cooperative principles that spawned most credit unions in the 1930s continue alive and well today,” said University FCU President/CEO Tony Budet. “Dick is a diligent advocate for credit unions, champions innovative collaborative models both in the U.S. and internationally, and, through developmental programs focused on young men and women in the movement, has ensured credit unions will be steered well into the future by leaders whose values are fully congruent with those of our founders.”
The Museum is entering the final stretch of its $3.3 million Legacy Campaign, having raised more than $2.9 million. The campaign dollars will fund the new industry research center and research library, add additional exhibit space, and provide renovations to the existing Museum building. The research center will make credit union history more accessible, while the additional exhibit space and upgraded conference facilities will allow credit union professionals, legislators, and citizens experience firsthand the unique role credit unions play in the financial marketplace.
The Cornerstone League also presented its Professional of the Year award went to Lily Newfarmer from Tarrant County's Credit Union.
The purpose of the Cornerstone Professional of the Year Award is to recognize an individual's accomplishments, time, and effort in support and promotion of the credit union movement. This report contains only a small list of Martinez's achievements.
“Newfarmer has been a one-person dynamo,” the CCUl said. “Some of her accomplishments include growing her credit union from $23 million in assets to $82 million, doubling the size of her membership, and growing capital 135%.”
Newfarmer is a past chair of the Cornerstone Credit Union Foundation, a Dora Maxwell Award recipient, an alumnus of Southwest CUNA Management School, and a Credit Union Development Educator (DE). She currently serves as foundation advisory director representing the Credit Union Development Educators in the Cornerstone region.
She started out as an accounting manager at Tarrant County's Credit Union in 1996, and in 2001 became its president and CEO.