ORLANDO, Fla.–Two credit union professionals have been honored for their accomplishments in two different states.
In Florida, the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates (LSCU & Affiliates) has named John Hirabayashi as the recipient of its 2023 Distinguished Service Award. The Distinguished Service award recognizes lifelong service to the credit union movement reaching beyond the natural person credit union.
The Distinguished Service Award at the General Session of the 2024 Southeast Credit Union Conference & Expo (SCUCE) in Orlando. The LSCU Awards recognizes credit unions and credit union professionals who have demonstrated exemplary service and accomplished significant achievements in 2023, the association said.
‘Deeply Honored’
“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Hirabayashi, president and CEO of Community First Credit Union. “I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve our employees, members, and community over the years. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me throughout my credit union career.”
Added LSCU President Samantha Beeler, “John is a dedicated leader in the credit union space, and he is more than deserving of our highest award. He has mentored countless credit union professionals over the years, and his undying commitment to service, integrity, and innovation will continue to help drive our movement for many years to come. We wish him all the best in his upcoming and well-deserved retirement.”
Noll Honored by MDDCCUA
Separately, the MD|DC Credit Union Association has recognized Brett Noll, president and CEO of FedChoice FCU, as its 2024 Professional of the Year Award.
“Since taking the helm in October 2021, Noll has led FedChoice to remarkable growth and success, inspiring positive change within both the credit union and the communities it serves,” the association said.
Added FedChoice FCU Board Treasurer David Bunch, “Brett is a visionary and an inspiring leader. He looks to the future and all the possibilities that are there. Under his guidance, our mission has broadened significantly, enabling us to serve as an educational resource for local schools, teachers, and the federal community.”
Revitalizing Role
According to the MDDCCUA, one of Noll’s key accomplishments is revitalizing and rebranding the FedChoice Charitable Foundation, “transforming it into a dynamic force for financial wellness in the community.”
“Brett genuinely cares about our local communities. His vision and efforts to unite us have led to significant positive change,” said Andrey Gidaspov, executive director of the FedChoice Charitable Foundation. “We are now bringing financial literacy to young people, providing educational scholarships to students, and offering retirement planning to the federal community.”
Key Milestones
Under Noll’s leadership, the MDDCUA said FedChoice has achieved several key milestones, including:
- Membership and Capital Growth. “Substantial increases in membership and capital, surpassing the 2023 income goal by nearly 19%.”
- Strategic Partnerships. “More than doubling relationships with federal affinity groups by adding eight new partners.”
- Employee Benefits. “Enhanced benefits include increased 401(k) match, expanded tuition reimbursement, and additional time off for birthdays.”
- Succession Planning. “Implementation of a comprehensive plan to ensure long-term organizational success and stability.”
- Digital Marketing. “Increased investment in digital marketing and analytics to effectively target and reach potential members.”
- New Products. “Launch of innovative products such as high-yield checking and cash-back checking accounts.”
Volunteer Roles
The association said Noll also serves in a variety of volunteer roles within the credit union industry. He is Chair of the FedChoice Charitable Foundation and a board member of the Credit Union Foundation MD|DC. He is a long-standing member of the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) and previously served on the board of the Eastern Regional Chapter of AACUC.
Noll has won dozens of awards, having been named Marketing Professional of the Year by both the Credit Union National Association (now America’s Credit Unions) and the Credit Union Executives Society (CUES).
Noll previously served as CEO at Securityplus Federal Credit Union in Baltimore, and SVP, chief marketing officer at FCU in Newport News, Va. Noll has more than 30 years of financial services experience.
Congratulations Shared
“Congratulations Brett,” said MD|DCCUA President/CEO John Bratsakis. “Your leadership and dedication have not only advanced FedChoice Federal Credit Union but also enhanced the lives of its members and the broader community. Your recognition as the 2024 Professional of the Year is a testament to your outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to financial empowerment”
Volunteer of the Year Award
In addition, the MD|DC Credit Union Association has honored Andrews Federal Credit Union Board Chair Kenneth McKinney as its 2024 Volunteer of the Year award. This recognition highlights McKinney’s exceptional dedication and leadership within the credit union community, the association said.
The Andrews Federal team shared why McKinney is deserving of the honor. Check out the video here.
McKinney is a retired United States Air Force Colonel who, over the past 21 years, has held several volunteer leadership roles for the credit union, including chairman of the Human Resource Committee, chairman of the Supervisory Committee and executive committee member, the MDDCUA said.
“McKinney’s approach to leadership is deeply rooted in personal connection and active engagement,” the association said. “Each year, he undertakes a comprehensive tour of all Andrews Federal locations, interacting with staff, learning about their daily experiences, and gathering invaluable feedback. This information is then shared with credit union leaders to enhance both member and employee experiences.”
‘Huge Impact’
“Chairman McKinney is very people-oriented. He enjoys getting out and visiting all the branches where he talks to staff and makes personal connections. He has had a huge impact on the culture of our organization,” said Ken Orgeron, president/CEO of Andrews Federal Credit Union. “He’s had the benefit of having some great mentors in his life and throughout his career in the military service, and he is a strong believer in paying that forward.”
According to the MDDCUA, McKinney has also prioritized strengthening relationships with the military installations that Andrews Federal serves.
“When he learned about the exorbitant utility costs incurred by overseas military service members due to the war in Ukraine, he directed the Andrews Federal team to develop an assistance program,” the MDDCUA said. “The result was an interest-free loan and a grant program that provided $41,000 in aid to affected service members and their families.”
The association said that under McKinney’s leadership, Andrews Federal Credit Union has received several accolades, including being named a Great Place to Work and receiving the Distinguished Credit Union of the Year awards from both the Army and the Air Force.
Involved in Community
Beyond his contributions to the credit union, Col. McKinney is deeply involved in community service. Since 2018, he has actively participated in the Boy Scouts of America, serving as Troop Advancement Chair and on Scout Advancement Boards. Additionally, for more than three decades, he has been a dedicated member of the Air Force Cadet Officer Mentor Association.
How to Sign Up For the Best Daily News Email in Credit Unions? (It’s Free!)
Every workday CUToday.info delivers the most comprehensive, freshest daily newsletter with the day’s news headlines, including links to the related articles. The Fresh Today newsletter is the most timely, relevant and widely-read source of news and information in the CU community. And it’s free!
If you haven’t yet signed up for the new email solution on which CUToday.info has partnered with ResponseGenius, you can do so here. Signing up requires less than one minute of your time—and it’s free!
Please note that after signing up you may need to go to your Spam/Junk folder and mark the morning headlines email as safe. CUToday.info does not provide its list of readers and emails to outside parties,
And did we mention it’s free?