PLANO, Texas–The Cornerstone Credit Union League has named two people as winners of its League Hall of Fame Award.
Being recognized are Ayn Talley, who recently retired as president of Houston Police FCU, and Brent Taylor, who recently retired as president/CEO of WEOKIE Credit Union in Oklahoma City, Okla.
“The Hall of Fame Award recognizes leaders in the credit union movement who reflect a rich history of service through their chapters, their league, and in some cases, the Credit Union National Association,” the CCUL said. “Individuals receiving this prestigious award are viewed as pioneers in the credit union movement.”
Devoted Life to CUs
The Cornerstone league noted that for more than 45 years, Talley has devoted her professional life to credit unions and the credit union movement. She retired at the end of January from the president and CEO role at the Houston Police Federal Credit Union.
“During her 30 years at the helm of the credit union, membership nearly tripled to 31,000 members and assets increased more than tenfold to $864 million,” the league said. “Previously she had served for 15 years at Primeway Federal Credit Union, rising from accounting clerk to executive vice president.
“Talley’s work ethic is evident in her commitment to her membership. In a video interview, she recalled when the Houston Police FCU’s building was badly damaged due to Hurricane Ike, her team crawled under portable buildings to install IT connections so the credit union would be able to open the next day.”
It is this dedication to doing what’s right for the credit union membership, the CCUL stated, that distinguishes Talley from others.
“Whether she’s considering actions that are private or personal, her go-to is doing the right thing. And there were some difficult times when the right thing was probably the hardest thing to do, but she never wavered,” Kim Foster, president/CEO of Houston Police FCU, the league said.
Attention to Detail
The CCUL said Talley is also known for her attention to details.
“Ayn and I were both building branches at the same time, and she talked about how she had to order wide chairs because her police officer members—with all their gear on—couldn’t sit in a regular chair,” said Kerry Parker, retired president/CEO of A+ Federal Credit Union. “You’ve got to pay attention to what your members want and need and Ayn does that.”
Over the years, the league noted Talley held numerous volunteer positions within the industry. From 1997 to 2010, she served the Texas Credit Union League in almost every way imaginable. She was secretary-treasurer, and chairman of the board for two terms. In all, she served in nearly 20 volunteer roles within the industry.
Talley also participated in many charitable and fund-raising events benefiting law enforcement in the city of Houston.
“She collaborated with other board members in establishing the organization’s overall governance structure, risk management and business practices, and reporting functions,” said Catalyst Corporate President and CEO Bruce M. Fox. “During her tenure as president and CEO, the Houston Police Credit Union experienced strong membership and asset growth, increased financial strength, and member benefits. Ayn is well-respected and will leave a legacy of leadership and of credit union advocacy,” he said.
‘Work Together to Thrive’
Talley is also an honor graduate of the Southwest CUNA Management School and was honored no less than five times during her career with the CUNA Member Benefits Top Performance Award.
“It is always going to be necessary for credit unions to work together to thrive in the overall financial services industry and it is my recommendation to all credit union people to work together, form relationships, and continue to work as a movement,” said Talley. “I’ve been so blessed through my involvement with the credit unions. They are great people. I have so many friends and relationships that I have built through my career. I’ve been blessed.”
Purpose-Driven Organization
Taylor, who retired on Feb. 28, has served WEOKIE Federal Credit Union since 1990, when he was hired as a manager of accounting and data processing before rising through the ranks to become WEOKIE’s second president and CEO in 2007, the CCUL reported.
“Under Taylor’s leadership, WEOKIE more than doubled in size to over $1.2 billion in assets while it developed as a purpose-driven organization focused on serving members as their trusted financial advisor,” the league stated.
Throughout this period of rapid growth, Taylor remained committed to making a difference one person at a time, it added.
“I have personally known Brent for the 30+ years that he has been with WEOKIE,” wrote Warren Pybas, chairman of the WEOKIE Board of Directors, in his nomination letter recommending Taylor for the Hall of Fame Award. “He has shown an incredible affinity for serving people and exhibiting the ‘people helping people’ motto. This has been especially prominent in the last 13 plus years that he has been WEOKIE’s president and CEO. I have seen this in the manner he has carried out his responsibilities each day.”
According to the league, Taylor was a regular attendee and supporter of the Boomer Sooner Chapter and the Greater Oklahoma Chapter of Credit Unions. He has volunteered his time facilitating numerous strategic planning sessions for credit unions throughout Oklahoma, with whom he freely shared his wisdom, insights, and knowledge. He also served on the board of the Oklahoma Credit Union Political Action Committee (OCUPAC).
‘A Driving Force’
“Taylor was a driving force in the creation of the Credit Union House of Oklahoma event venue where he served on the board from its inception until his retirement,” the league stated. “He served as a long-time board member, and eventually the chair of the of Southwest Corporate Federal Credit Union of Plano, Texas. He successfully led the organization through its darkest hours of National Credit Union Administration conservatorship.”
The league said Taylor has also been a long-time, trusted advocate for credit unions in Oklahoma City and Washington, D.C., often serving as the leading voice for credit union delegations visiting elected officials. As a result of his industry advocacy, Taylor was awarded the Troy Higgins Political Action Award.
“Taylor’s leadership did not stop there. He was instrumental in the formation of the WEOKIE Foundation, which has had a significant impact on the Oklahoma City community,” the league stated. “Each year the foundation provides 25 high school seniors with $2,000 in scholarships for a total of $50,000 a year and a grand total of $500,000 and counting. The WEOKIE Foundation also leverages the credit union’s financial resources and the contributions of employees to provide much-needed financial and volunteer help to numerous nonprofits throughout Oklahoma City totaling over $1.2 million to date.”
Talley and Taylor will be honored at Cornerstone League’s upcoming annual meeting, IMPACT Virtual, at 10 a.m. on April 9.