ORLANDO, Fla.–The League of Southeastern Credit Unions and Affiliates (LSCU) has announced a new chairman and executive committee following its 12th Annual Business Meeting, as well as also announcing numerous honors for individuals and credit unions.
The new executive committee includes:
- Chairman – Kevin Johnson, President/CEO, Suncoast Credit Union, Tampa.
- Chair-Elect – Henry Armstrong, President/CEO of Auburn University Credit Union, Auburn, Ala.
- Vice Chairman – Hank Halter, CEO of Delta Community Credit Union, Atlanta.
- Secretary – Richard Skaggs, President/CEO of USF Federal Credit Union, Tampa.
- Treasurer – Caryl Greene, President/CEO of Members First Credit Union of Florida, Pensacola, Fla.
Johnson succeeds Brian Akin, president/CEO of North Georgia Credit Union who served as the chair for the last year.
“I’m looking forward to this new position and responsibility with LSCU,” said Johnson. “Brian was able to help navigate the back end of 2020, which we all know was no small feat. I know Brian and the LSCU team have taken the right steps to make sure the league continues with strong financials while maintaining the level of support affiliated credit unions have learned to expect. Given my experience with the credit union industry and the league, I am honored to take over as the chair as it allows me to continue with an outstanding team.”
Incoming directors include Ola Anise, president/CEO of Azalea City Credit Union, Jan Page, president/CEO of Community South Credit Union, and Timothy Antonition, president/CEO of Space Coast Credit Union.
Departing the board are Jeanette Keller, president/CEO of Blue Flame Credit Union in Mobile, Ala.; Alvin “AC” Cowans, president/CEO of McCoy FCU in Orlando, and Nancy Rappaport, president/CEO of Priority One Credit Union in Sunrise, Fla.
Professionals of the Year
The league named its Professionals of the Year for each of the three states it represents. The winners:
- Brad Green, President/CEO of Listerhill Credit Union located in Muscle Shoals, Ala.
- Stefania Jones, Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of Bay Credit Union located in Panama City, Fla.
- Debbie Smith, President/CEO of Georgia United Credit Union located in Duluth, Ga.
“The amount of talent found within the credit union movement is simply impressive. The task of selecting only three credit union professionals affiliated with LSCU to honor with this award was not easy," said Jared Ross, president of LSCU. “Brad continues to make things happened for credit unions across the country in his current role as the chairman of the CUNA Board of Directors. The LSCU team joined Stefania in the literal trenches left behind after Hurricane Michael ripped through the Florida Panhandle – helping her as she led the charge to clean and rebuild. Debbie is just unstoppable – the impact she’s made for students with her work with the Junior Achievement of Georgia is well documented.
Volunteers of the Year
Names as Volunteers of the Year were:
- Gladys Jones, Board of Directors, Alabama Credit Union (Ala.)
- Diane Long, Board of Directors, Calhoun Liberty Employees Credit Union (Fla.)
- Esther Hammond, Board of Directors, Delta Community Credit Union (Ga.)
The Credit Union Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has contributed time, effort, and talent in advancing the credit union movement, the LSCU said.
“As not for profits, credit unions wouldn’t be as successful without the commitment of volunteers – they’re crucial to all of our member credit unions and to the credit union industry,” said Ross. “The Volunteer of the Year Award was created to recognize those outstanding credit union volunteers whose unselfish and dedicated service to their respective credit unions has made a significant difference in their community and mirrors the commitment to success in the credit union ranks.”
Credit Unions of the Year
Named as Credit Unions of the Year were:
Alabama
Up to $100 million asset size: Azalea City Credit Union in Mobile, Ala.
$100 million to $500 million in asset size: Alabama Teachers Credit Union in Gadsden, Ala.
More than $500 million in asset size: Alabama Credit Union in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Florida
Up to $100 million asset size: FiCare Federal Credit Union in Tampa, Fla.
$100 million to $500 million in asset size: Panhandle Credit Union in Panama City, Fla.
More than $500 million in asset size: Community First Credit Union of Florida in Jacksonville, Fla.
Georgia
Up to $100 million asset size: North Georgia Credit Union in Toccoa, Ga.
$100 million to $500 million in asset size: CORE Credit Union in Statesboro, Ga.
More than $500 million in asset size: Delta Community Credit Union in Atlanta, Ga.
Young Professional of the Year
The league also honored Michael Poucher with First Commerce Credit Union in Tallahassee, Fla. as the 2020 Young Professional of the Year.
The Young Professional of the Year award honors credit union employees age 40 or younger who show passion, dedication and enthusiasm for the credit union movement.
Poucher, a senior operations administrator with First Commerce, is described by co-workers as “one of our brightest rising stars, positively impacting our industry in many ways,” the league said.
LSCU said it surprised Poucher with his award during the Southeast Credit Union Conference and Expo, held in Orlando, Fla. Another team member nominated him but didn’t tell him.
During the pandemic, many Young Professionals Group (YPG) chapters stopped meeting; however, as the president of the LSCU YP Coordinating Council, Mr. Poucher quickly organized virtual meetings and events for the entire YPG to participate. The first-ever virtual Credit Union Game Night raised more than $1,300 for No Kid Hungry and the model was replicated by other leagues and organizations.
Poucher also led the planning of two professional panels and transitioned the annual Young Professionals Think Tank conference to virtual, serving as emcee in a tuxedo (and shorts)!
Distinguished Service Award
Honored with the Distinguished Service Award was Joe McGee, the president and CEO of Legacy Community Federal Credit Union (Legacy) in Birmingham, Ala., with the 2020 Distinguished Service Award. The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Mr. McGee during the Southeast Credit Union Conference and Expo.
LSCU bestows the Distinguished Service Award on one credit union professional each year who exemplifies lifelong service to the credit union movement, service that reaches beyond the person’s credit union.
McGee has spent his entire career in the financial service field, most of it in the credit union movement. He joined Legacy, (then known as University Credit Union), in 1991, and has served in the role of CEO for the last 22 years, LSCU said.
Over that span, Legacy has grown from $70 million in assets to more than $570 million. “He spearheaded a transformative rebranding effort that resulted in the name change to Legacy and the adoption of a Federal Community Charter. Since that time, he has been an industry leader, positioning Legacy prominently in the community,” LSCU said. “Mr. McGee played a main role during the consolidation of the Alabama and Florida leagues.
Service to Members
McGee has focused his tenure at Legacy on service to the members, as well as to the credit union movement, the community, and to numerous charitable organizations. His service includes multiple years serving on the Board of Directors for LSCU, the Alabama League, LEVERAGE and:
- Chair, national Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Board
- Member, UAB Athletics Foundation
- Board of Directors for EPL/Visifi
- Participating as a member of the CUNA Community Credit Union Committee
- Advocating for our industry through Governmental Affairs Conferences
- CU Vote leadership
“One of Joe’s best qualities is his ability to build relationships, reflected in the innumerable people he’s been both a friend and a mentor, including myself,” said Patrick La Pine, LSCU CEO. “Joe will retire early next year and as his career draws to a close, there could be no more fitting recognition than the LSCU Distinguished Service Award. On behalf of the league, I am so proud to honor Joe with this prestigious award.”