WASHINGTON—The Defense Credit Union Council has announced three new inductees into its Hall of Honor” Denise Floyd, Fort Sill FCU president/CEO (Retired); Brigadier General Roger Scearce, Andrews FCU director Emeritus, and Col. Sam Farace, Air Force FCU (AFFCU) board chairman.
“The three honorees have an impressive history of service and dedication to their military and veteran communities,” the DCUC said. “They are part of a history of excellence that exemplifies the defense credit union difference.”
According to the DCUC, here is why each was recognized:
Forty Years of Service
“Denise Floyd will join the DCUC Hall of Honor for her commitment to serving our nation’s servicemembers and veterans, with 40 years at Fort Sill FCU and 21 years as President and CEO,” the Defense Council said. “During Mrs. Floyd’s time as president and CEO, she guided FSFCU to exceptional growth from an asset size of $111 million to a $356 million institution.”
The DCUC said Floyd has also “steadily advocated” for all credit union members and loyally supported DCUC’s mission and purpose, serving the Council through positions such as DCUC board secretary, vice chair, and chairman. “Floyd was one of the longest-serving president/CEO board member in DCUC history and only the third woman to hold the board chair position,” DCUC said.
Floyd has also served on the Armed Forces Financial Network (AFFN) board as an Associate director, director, and board chair. She has received many awards for her dedication to serving others, including a Certificate of Appreciation in 2014 by the Associate of the United States of Fires Center of Excellence Fort Sill, 2007 Troy Higgins Political Activist of the Year, and Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.
A Distinguished Tenure
Brigadier General Roger Scearce served as a career officer in the United States Army for 28 years and rose to the most senior position in the Army Finance Corps as commandant of the U.S. Army Finance School and Commander of the 266th Theater Finance Command, U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR), DCUC said.
“During his military career, BG Scearce also served on the U.S. Army War College faculty and as the Deputy Director of Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS),” noted the DCUC.
BG Scearce joined the Andrews Federal Board of Directors in 1996 and held positions such as vice chairman, chairman, and treasurer.
“During his 26-year tenure on the Andrews FCU Board, BG Scearce helped guide Andrew FCU’s growth from a $483 million institution to a $2.5 Billion multi-national organization,” the Defense Council stated. “Capital also grew exponentially during his service to Andrews FCU, increasing from $57 million in 1996 to over $235 million as of December 2022. B
“BG Scearce has long supported DCUC for over 25 years through his participation at numerous conferences and meetings and has assisted in securing several senior DoD Officials as guest speakers for DCUC events,” the DCUC continued. “While serving as a senior DoD consultant to the Council, BG Scearce helped DCUC navigate intricate regulatory compliance issues affecting its member credit unions. BG Scearce has also served on the DCUC Military Advisory Committee, ensuring credit unions had a voice in state and federal legislation.”
Numerous Decorations
Col Sam Farace served a 28-year career in the United States Air Force through various leadership positions such as assistant and deputy commander and commander in the aircraft maintenance, logistics, and resource management fields, according to the Defense Council.
“During his service, Col. Farace earned 13 military decorations, including the Legion of Merit honors, and received both the Maintenance Daedalian Award for the best maintenance organization in the Air Force for two consecutive years and the first Secretary of the Air Force Unit Quality Award,” DCUC noted.
Col. Farace also served 28 years on the AFFCU board of directors, including as treasurer, vice chair, and chairman, and received the Credit Union Services Award certification and the Board of Directors and Leadership Awards from the Texas Credit Union League and CUNA.
“His leadership at AFFCU was instrumental in its asset growth from $139 million to $636 million, with membership increased by 21,500,” the Defense Council said. “Since orchestrating the Select Employee Group (SEG) partnership between the USAF Airman Heritage Museum and AFFCU, more than 35,000 members have joined AFFCU’s membership, resulting in donations totaling $875,000.
“Col. Farace strongly advocated for AFFCU’s sponsorship and participation in numerous programs supporting military and veteran communities, such as the Honor Flight of San Antonio trips and AFFCU’s bi-weekly personal finance classes to airmen at JBSA-Lackland, which earned the credit union the Military Saves Designation of Savings Excellence award,” the DCUC continued.
During his service at AFFCU, the credit union received the Air Force Credit Union of the Year (under $1 billion in assets category) award four times. Col.
“Farace has shared DCUC’s commitment to serving those who serve our country by attending 19 DCUC Annual Conferences and serving as a voting delegate at 15 of these conferences,” DCUC said.
How Winners Were Selected
According to the DCUC, the three honorees were selected from a very competitive field of nominees by the Hall of Honor Selection Committee.
The Selection Committee is made up of four members representing both executive and volunteer leadership: Ronald Belle, AmeriCU CU, President/CEO; Fred Salyers, Security Service FCU, VP-governmental and military affairs; Ed Cody, PenFed CU chairman; and Jack Fallis, Global CU president, PNW and International Markets & DCUC 1st vice chair.
“Each of this year’s nominees are incredibly accomplished and true leaders within the credit union movement,” said Belle. “The impact they have made at their credit unions and across the credit union industry is an inspiration.”
Floyd, Scearce, and Farace will be inducted into the DCUC Hall of Honor during the DCUC Annual Conference in Colorado Springs, Colo. August 7-11, 2023.
Proud & Inspired
“We are all very proud and inspired by each of these honorees’ personal and professional commitment to providing the best financial services to our military and veteran communities, along with making DCUC a better organization,” said Anthony Hernandez, DCUC president/CEO.
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