INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Credit Union League has honored a number of people within the state for their contributions to credit unions and career accomplishments.
Among those recognized were:
Chairman’s Global Good Award
Karen Madry, President/CEO of Afena FCU in Marion received the ICUL’s Chairman’s Global Good Award.
Established in 2019, the award recognizes involvement in global or domestic projects that further credit unions and their values with immigrant populations, or in foreign countries, the league said.
“In addition to hosting international credit union guests at Afena FCU, Karen, along with representatives from five other Indiana credit unions, traveled in September 2018 to the Caribbean Island nation of Dominica to assist with credit union development and hurricane recovery there,” according to the ICUL.
The visit was part of efforts that were led by the World Council of Credit Unions.
“Dominica, where the entire population belongs to credit unions, was in a major rebuilding mode,” the ICUL stated. “The credit unions on the island are small and serve relatively small communities. Karen and her colleagues from Indiana loaned expertise by consulting on major impact issues such as agriculture lending, micro business lending, financial strategies, risk management and overall strategic planning. In addition to meeting with credit unions, Karen and the group also met with the president of the Commonwealth of Dominica, who personally thanked them for their efforts.”
The league noted that in 2019, when a delegation from Dominica visited Indiana, an agreement was signed between the Indiana League and the Dominica Cooperative Societies League to foster greater collaboration between the two organizations—something that was possible because Karen and her colleagues laid the groundwork when they did.
Leadership Achievement Award
Frank Gulley, vice chairman of Afena Federal Credit Union, was named the 2021 recipient of the Leadership Achievement Award.
“A volunteer board member at the credit union since 1985, Gulley had a long career at General Motors. He has served credit unions at the state and national levels,” the league said. “He was on the League board of directors from 2007-2016 and was League Chairman from 2012-2013. He has also served on several League committees. He was inducted into the Indiana Credit Union Hall of Fame in 2017.
“He has always been an advocate for volunteers within the credit union system, which was demonstrated by his service on CUNA’s Volunteer Leadership Committee. He has also been a member of CUNA’s Awards Committee, and he is currently treasurer of the Combined Council of America’s Credit Unions, another national organization. He is committed to his education and has completed CUNA’s Volunteer Achievement program modules 1-702. He is also committed to the education of others. After his career at General Motors, he was an educator both in manufacturing environments, and at Ivy Tech.”
Professional Achievement Award
Kevin Ryan, CEO of Financial Center First CU in Indianapolis, was inducted into the Indiana Credit Union Hall of Fame during the Indiana Credit Union League’s statewide convention and also received the League’s Professional Achievement Award, which recognizes Indiana credit union presidents/CEOs for their professional accomplishments, their commitment to the credit union movement and the contributions they make to their credit union and community.
“A former executive at Indiana Corporate Federal Credit Union (INDICORP), CUNA Mutual Group and the Indiana League, Ryan came to Financial Center First CU in 2009. He has led the credit union to many achievements including work with veterans, feeding the hungry and award-winning, life changing work with financial literacy for thousands of people,” the league said. “He was a rallying force in securing credit union support and financial contributions to construct the Indiana Military Veterans Hall of Fame Memorial, the only free-standing tribute of its kind in the country to honor military heroes. He has also traveled internationally to share the credit union message, and he and his credit union have been welcoming to credit union visitors to Indiana.”
The league further noted Ryan has been active on League committees, and he is a current member of the Governmental Affairs Committee. He served on the league board from 2014-2020 and he was league chairman from 2019-2020.
“Working in the credit union movement has been an extraordinary way to spend my career, and I am very proud to be part of an industry which is built upon the foundation of people helping people,” he said. “I’m personally humbled and honored to be inducted into the Indiana Credit Union Hall of Fame.”
Hall of Fame Inductees
The late Chuck Donovan of Members Source CU
“Donovan, who passed away in September 2020 while he was a member of the League Board, was honored posthumously. He had served on the League board since 2012, and he was chairman from 2016-2017. Donovan provided tremendous leadership for his credit union and for the state credit union system,” the league said. “Donovan served as an original member in 2013 for the board of the self-funded group health insurance program for Indiana credit unions which provides medical, dental and vision benefits to thousands of credit union employees. He held the position of Vice President of the Board until his retirement in 2015.”
He also was instrumental in bringing shared branching to millions of Indiana credit union members through his service on the shared branching CUSO board for 12 years where he held executive officer positions.
“Chuck approached the leadership positions he served in with a dedication to working together for the greater good of everyone,” said League President John McKenzie. “This recognition pays tribute to some of the ways his life and efforts have left a positive impact on credit unions.”
Karla Salisbury, president & CEO of KEMBA CU in Indianapolis
“Through her leadership at KEMBA CU, Salisbury has been especially committed to the needs of small- and mid-sized credit unions. KEMBA CU has provided life-changing financial services for thousands of families,” the league said. “She also understands the value of political advocacy and leads by example, making key connections at the state and national levels and encouraging others to do the same. At her credit union, she has hosted visits from both a U.S. Congressman and a senator.”
Salisbury was a member of the league board from 2013-2019, and she was league chairman from 2017-2018.
“Her work as a member of the board of the Indiana Credit Union Foundation, where she was chairman from 2009-2011, has resulted in grants for professional development, financial literacy and disaster relief,” the league said. “Her vision for the Foundation’s annual bowling fundraiser was realized and has been enjoyed by many.”
“It has been an absolute privilege to serve KEMBA Credit Union and this industry for the past 25 years,” she said. “I am humbled to share this prestigious honor along with those who I consider credit union champions.”
Dallas Bergl, president/CEO of INOVA CU in Elkhart
“Bergl has served credit unions at the statewide, national and international levels through his service as a board member for organizations at each of these levels. He was a member of the Indiana Credit Union League Board of Directors from 2013-2019, where he was chairman from 2018-2019,” the league said. “He currently serves on the board of the Credit Union National Association, the World Council of Credit Unions and the Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions. Through his contributions to these organizations, he has had a positive impact on millions of credit union members in the United States and around the world.”
The league added Bergl has been instrumental in making connections between credit union representatives from Indiana and those from other countries including paving the way for credit union leaders from around the world to visit Indiana credit unions and for Hoosier leaders to travel internationally to work with peers.
“Bergl is a strong political and legislative advocate for credit unions. He has served as a key contact for legislators from his home district, and he has been involved with countless interactions and outreach efforts to bring important credit union issues to the attention of lawmakers,” according to the ICUL. “Most notably, he has appeared before the Senate Banking Committee, where he testified on behalf of America’s Credit Unions. He is a member and past chairman of the League’s Governmental Affairs Committee.”
“This award is an honor and the result of an amazing team of people that I have been fortunate to work with over many years,” said Bergl. “I am very fortunate to have been able to enjoy a rewarding career working in the credit union industry. Over my career I have been blessed to see how great people use our cooperative system to improve the lives of millions in our state, our nation and around the globe. I can’t think of a more rewarding way to make a living and make a difference.”
The league noted Bergl has been with INOVA Federal Credit Union for more than 31 years. During his tenure, the credit union has grown to play a vital role in its community including providing support for a number of organizations and communities important to the membership.
In addition to his work at the credit union, he is a board member for the South Bend-Elkhart Regional Development Authority Board and the Lerner Theater Governing Board. He has served as the City of Elkhart’s Ambassador to China for the Sister City of Tongxiang City, China, and has been a leader for several community groups.
Emerging Leadership Awards
Winners of the Emerging Leadership Award include:
- Marissa Lynch of Crane CU. “Lynch is vice president of human resources at the credit union. Since starting work as a part-time teller/MSR in 2009, she has worked in several capacities. She has been instrumental in the development and ongoing management of Crane CU’s leadership program which is called LEAD – Learning Education And Development. The program identifies future leaders at the credit union and develops their skills. She is also an advocate for initiatives that support a positive work environment and a culture of recognition. Lynch is also an alumnae of the League’s ignite program.”
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Brent Joyce of Evansville Teachers FCU. “ Joyce is SVP-marketing, where he plays a role in just about everything the credit union does. Since he began leading the department in 2004, he and his team have helped support a number of credit union achievements including tripling of assets, and the launch of 19 new offices for an expansion into new markets in Kentucky and Tennessee. Checking and savings milestones have also been met at the credit union thanks to promotional efforts developed and executed by Joyce and his team. He has also been influential and highly involved in the credit union’s award-winning community service efforts.”
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Blake Dearing of FORUM CU. “Dearing is AVP-consumer member solutions and servicing. He has been with the credit union since 2005, initially working with mortgage origination and support. Over the years, he held several mortgage-related positions before moving into his current role. The credit union has also benefited from his service on its Spirit Advisory Council. His leadership skills have been developed through a variety of programs he has completed at the credit union, and he has also served as a leader and mentor for credit union colleagues. Dearing was an inaugural member of the League’s ignite program, serving a three-year term, and he was a member of the ignite reunion team,” a group that came back a few years after their initial terms to work together once again. Outside his work at the credit union, Blake is active in his church, and he has held leadership positions in a variety of ministries.”