HIGHTSTOWN, N.J./HARRISBURG, Penn.–The CrossState Credit Union Association and the Michigan Credit Union League have respectively announced the winners of numerous awards in their states.
The CrossState CU Association, which represents CUs in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, has presented two people with honors.
The Association has awarded Ed Williams, CEO of Discovery FCU, with the William W. Pratt Lifetime Achievement Award for the 2020 Credit Union Professional of the Year. Williams accepted the award on October 28 at the Association’s 1st Annual Convention, conducted virtually over a two-day period.
Williams has served as president since 1997, served on the CUNA board from 2007-2018, and was a member of the National Credit Union Foundation’s board from 2004-2017.
In addition to his work with Discovery FCU and on the national scale, Williams was a member of the Pennsylvania Credit Union Foundation Board of Directors for eight years, the PA Credit Union Foundations Grants Committee Chair for six, was Awards Committee Vice Chair for 15, and was a Credit Union Council Member from 2003-2008.
‘Remarkable Impact’
The CrossState Association said among Williams’ many achievements is he testified before the House Financial Services Committee on Internet Gambling Legislation in 2010, participated in a number of Hike the Hill events, and has attended the Governmental Affairs Conference for 20 consecutive years.
“Ed makes a remarkable impact on every individual he encounters,” said Discovery FCU CIO Michele Smith. “His steadfast determination to employ cutting-edge technology, innovation, ethical and prudent attitudes, and open-minded thinking has paved the path for a multitude of successes. Under his direction, Discovery continually achieves its ambitious goals with a commitment to the member experience.”
The Professional of the Year Award is presented in memory of William W. Pratt, who for more than three decades worked on behalf of credit unions. When Pratt began working at the Association in 1942, there were 550 credit unions in Pennsylvania – when he retired in 1965, there were nearly 1,300 credit unions in the Commonwealth.
Volunteer of the Year
Separately, the CrossState CU Association has presented Gary Chizmadia with the Calvin H. Jackson Volunteer of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award. Chizmadia has served as chairman for the Credit Union of New Jersey since 2015 and was on the credit union’s board for nine years before that. He is also a director on the New Jersey Credit Union Foundation’s Board and the South-Central New Jersey Chapter president. Chizmadia has been involved in the credit union movement since 1977, when he first served as director for the State Credit Union.
According to the Association, Chizmadia is a regular at Association and national credit union conferences — notably, the World Council of Credit Unions’ Annual Conference, as well as the former NJCUL Annual Convention, among others. Chizmadia is a graduate of CUNA Schools and has earned both his CUDE and CCUB designations.
In addition to the 43 years Chizmadia has dedicated to the movement, he has been an active member of his community as American Red Cross — Princeton Chapter President, served as the Bucks County Chapter President, and was a member of the Middletown Township Finance Pane.
“Gary has been volunteering in the credit union movement for over 40 years and hasn’t slowed down,” said Credit Union of New Jersey President & CEO Andy Jaeger. “Gary embodies the spirit of the credit union movement, as demonstrated by his passion to learn and help others. He’s always the first to volunteer his time for events and activities, and continues to give, promote, and advance the movement.”
The Volunteer of the Year Award is named in memory of Calvin H. Jackson, an outstanding citizen and credit union volunteer for St. James A.M.E. Church Credit Union.
Michigan Award Winners
Separately, in Michigan, the league held a virtual awards ceremony to recognize the 2020 league and Michigan Credit Union Foundation (MCUF) Award Winners.
“This ceremony is usually held during our Annual Convention & Exposition, and holding this ceremony over a video call with the Michigan credit union community is just one of the many ways we’ve been able to use technology to adjust to our current environment,” said MCUL CEO Dave Adams. “Celebrating the outstanding achievements and leaders in our movement over the past year is an important part of how we recognize credit union champions and share their innovation and commitment with the rest of the movement.”
The winners:
MCUF Award for Excellence in Consumer Education: Kelly Hatler, CP Financial Credit Union
The MCUL said Hatler has been an inspiration to many students through her work in financial education over the past two decades. “Kelly’s legacy is ingrained in every aspect of CP Federal’s financial education outreach and she is noticed and remembered throughout the community for her work in the program.”
MCUF Credit Union Community Award: Michael Keast, Michigan One Community Credit Union
The MCUL said Keast has been instrumental in shaping the culture and improving student achievement in the school system. “He’s demonstrated his ability as a seasoned leader who faces challenges head-on to facilitate positive change.”
Chapter Effectiveness Award: Southern Michigan Chapter
According to the MCUL, the So-Mi Chapter of Credit Unions brought together nine credit unions in 2019 to make life easier for many struggling with medical debt in the Southern Michigan area. “This gift, which has helped those most in need, was not only given as relief, but as a start to a future of financial health.”
Innovation Award: PFCU (large-asset category)
The league said PFCU’s new MARC program provides examples of how to think outside the box to provide and exhibit the credit union difference to members. “In other words, not only is this program innovative, it also inspires and emboldens others to be innovative.”
Innovation Award: Extra Credit Union (mid-asset category)
The credit union started the Extra Credit Union Experiential Mobile Unit, which allowed them to physically deliver education and expertise to the people, rather than waiting for them to come to their door, according to the league. “This innovative model has also created increased opportunities for community involvement, staff involvement, financial literacy and improved services to their members.”
Young Professional of the Year: Jeffery Kusler, Journey Federal Credit Union
Over the past decade, Kusler has grown from a city volunteer out of undergrad to the credit union’s Planning Commissioner, and along each step of the way, he has enlivened each environment he has been a part of, the MCUL said.
Professional of the Year: Pat Spyke, LAFCU
Spyke’s recent collaboration with the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce on many different issues, as well as LAFCU’s support for members of UAW Local 652 show a true support for and dedication to the vibrancy of Lansing residents, according to the league.
Outstanding Credit Union of the Year: Northland Area Federal Credit Union (large-asset size)“Northland Area Federal Credit Union, is noteworthy for their wide participation in community programs, including their support of Hospice of Helping Hands’ veteran hospice program,” the league said. “Each year, Northland Area employees fundraise thousands of dollars and donate more than 2,000 hours of service to assist and pay tribute to veterans.”
Outstanding Credit Union of the Year: American 1 Credit Union (mid-asset size)
American 1 Credit Union, made significant strides in 2019 to be a beacon of education and financial relief in the Southern Michigan communities they serve, as well as reliant providers of financial literacy for students, according to the MCUL.
Outstanding Credit Union of the Year: Thornapple Credit Union (small-asset category)
“Throughout 2019, Thornapple was instrumental in helping many members escape from payday loan debt, knowing the cyclical damage they can cause, instead offering them education and smart loan products,” the MCUL said. “Thornapple knows that education starts in the classroom, which is why their dedication to financial literacy spans each grade K-12, with specific programs tailored for each age.”
Distinguished Service Award: Dean Trudeau, Public Service Credit Union
“During the last two decades of Trudeau’s leadership, Public Service has grown from about $70 million in assets to over $250 million, currently,” the MCUL said. “He has a reputation with fellow staff and colleagues as a terrific collaborator, mentor and friend, as well as someone who lets his actions speak for him.”
Distinguished Service Award: Karen Church, ELGA Credit Union
Church’s focus has been on creating a strong culture within the credit union, through mentorship and a shared vision to help members succeed, according to the league. “The growth ELGA has experienced, as well as the many awards along the way, has been the result of that focus.”