WASHINGTON–CUNA’s outgoing chairman told credit unions in his final remarks to GAC he exits believing “now is our time.”
Brett Martinez, CEO of Redwood Credit Union in California, turned over the CUNA chairman’s gavel to Troy Stang, president of the Northwest Credit Union Association, during the meeting.
But before leaving he told credit unions the experience leaves him a “really a big believer in the three-tier system. CUNA cannot do it alone. We have CUNA in D.C., the leagues at the state level, and all of you at the local level. Please don’t ever underestimate the power of the three-tier system.”
Martinez said advocacy remains at the center of everything CUNA does, which is why it has for the fourth year in a row been ranked as the number-one financial trade organization when it comes to advocacy in Washington.
“History has shown our industry is unbeatable when we work together, and that we are very vulnerable when we don’t,” he said. “Personally, I am very confident in our industry’s future as long as we continue to row together in the same direction.”
Be More Inclusive
Finally, Martinez also urged credit unions to expand their efforts toward becoming more inclusive.
“Now is the time to think and lead by example on DEI. Think about what you are going to do on DEI when you go home,” he said.
Nussle Welcomes Stang
“Troy served the organization well during his tenure as the Vice Chairman of our CUNA board,” said Jim Nussle, CUNA president and CEO. “I want to welcome Troy to his new role. I know CUNA will benefit greatly from the experience and energy he will bring to the position. I also want to thank our outgoing Chairman Brett Martinez for his excellent leadership and contributions to the credit union movement.”
“I am honored to be elected as Chair of the CUNA board of directors, in service to the Movement,” Stang said. “The real tangible value not-for-profit, cooperative credit unions generate and deliver to diverse memberships and communities across our great nation is what makes these financial institutions so different. There is no other financial services model that is directly accountable to those it serves. I am committed to inspiring collaboration throughout the industry to ensure the cooperative charter credit unions operate under is advanced and protected.”
CUNA board of directors executive committee members are:
- Chairman Troy Stang, President/CEO of the Northwest Credit Union Association
- Vice Chairman Brad Green, President/CEO of Listerhill Credit Union
- Secretary Tony Budet, President/CEO University Federal Credit Union
- Treasurer Lisa Ginter, CEO CommunityAmerica
- At-Large Member Caroline Willard, President/CEO of Cornerstone Credit Union League