NAPLES, Fla. – The Defense Credit Union Council has wrapped up its Annual Conference here, the first time many of the participants were part of a physical gathering since the COVID-19 lockdowns began in force in early 2020.
As CUToday.info reported, the meeting included NCUA Chairman Todd Harper’s remarks in which he suggested some CU overdraft practices are “fundamentally detrimental” to members, and during which NCUA Board Member Rodney Hood addressed what he said were the silver linings of the pandemic.
During the meeting’s second full day, Col. Mark Tillman (USAF, Ret.) shared stories from his time as the pilot of Air Force One.
“Col. Tillman’s engaging presentation took attendees into the cockpit of Air Force One for the Presidential flights on September 11, 2001, and President George W. Bush’s top-secret Thanksgiving trip to Afghanistan in 2003,” the DCUC said.
The second military speaker was Medal of Honor Winner Staff Sgt. Salvatore Augustine Giunta, U.S. Army (Ret.). Staff Sgt Giunta’s connected his military experience and what led to his Medal of Honor to the service to others that credit unions provide each day.
“Throughout his presentation, he emphasized learning from your successes and failures, that sometimes the best action is to not take action and let things unfold, and to rely on the professionals around you to know how to handle what they have been trained to do,” the DCUC reported. “His presentation ended with a challenge to each person to give 100% in everything you do and watch how that changes the world.”
State of Military
General John Nicholson, U.S. Army (Ret.) concluded the trio of military speakers. Nicholson discussed the state of the U.S. military today and lessons he learned over his 36-year military career. Key takeaways from his presentation were the importance of communication, especially when things are complex or out of the ordinary, knowing how to manage difficult situations and the importance of risk in opportunities, according to the DCUC.
The day’s second meeting also included updates from the military service representatives, where attendees were able to ask questions of their individual service officials. Hernandez also sat down with Dan Berger, NAFCU’s president/CEO, to discuss the importance of collaboration and industry unification, threats and opportunities they are seeing, and advocacy efforts, the organization reported.
New Board Members
During the Annual Business meeting, DCUC board Member positions were filled:
- Maggie Sayer, president/CEO, Keys FCU was re-elected to her Navy/Coast Guard Representative position
- Ryan Ross, president/CEO, Air Force FCU, and Ron Aoki, president/CEO, Schofield FCU, were elected for the Air Force Representative and Army Representative positions respectively
Hall of Honor
Every year, DCUC honors individuals whose exceptional contributions over the years have made a significant difference to DCUC and the defense credit union community by inducting people into its Hall of Honor.
This year’s ceremony honored both the 2020 and 2021 inductees. Inducted were:
- LTC (Ret) Richard “Dick” Ardisson, Abound CU
- Brigadier General Frank Cardile, Andrews FCU
- Mary Ann Melchers, ABNB FCU
- Lt. Col. USMC (Ret.) George Hoagland, Frontwave CU
- David Sprague, Hanscom FCU