WASHINGTON–Two people have been honored by the American Association of Credit Union Leagues.
Paul Mercer, president of the Ohio Credit Union League, was recognized with the 2023 Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award. The award honors a league president who demonstrates visionary leadership at the state and national levels.
“I am deeply honored by this special recognition. Eugene Farley was a leader I admired and looked to earlier in my League career,” said Mercer. “To see his example continue to be celebrated through leaders across the state and national system is meaningful. Working for credit unions and leagues matters, makes a difference, and fortifies the Movement for the future. It is an extraordinary privilege to work alongside inspiring system leaders committed to the same vision.”
Mercer joined the Ohio Credit Union League in 1992. Since 1997, he has been president of the Ohio Credit Union League and its affiliated organizations: OCUL Services Corp., its state and federal political action committees OCULAC and OCULPAC, its grant-making organization the Ohio Credit Union Foundation, and its advocacy reserve entity the Ohio Credit Union Defense Coalition.
A ’Catalyst’
“Paul is a catalyst for cooperation in Ohio and nationally. Furthermore, he instills those cooperative values in the people he hires, making the league and ultimately the credit union system even stronger,” shared AACUL President Brad Miller. “Paul truly wants every credit union, league, and CUNA to flourish. He is one of the most outspoken promoters of the three-tier system and well-respected for his views.”
Added AACUL Chair and Dakota Credit Union Association President/CEO Jeff Olson praised Mercer, “Paul is the epitome of a servant leader. He has consistently impacted the CUNA League System through his purposeful and authentic leadership. If there was ever an individual that Gene Farley would be proud to see receive this award, it's Paul Mercer.”
Mercer serves various joint venture and collaboration Boards, including: Cooperative Business Services, ViClarity, and Plexcity. He served as AACUL Board Chair as well as on the boards of CUNA, the Filene Research Institute, National Credit Union Foundation and League Infosight.
Whaley is Honored
Separately, Lauren Whaley, president of the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation, was recognized with the 2023 Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award by the AACUL.
The award honors a league executive who demonstrates visionary leadership at the state and national levels.
“The Carolinas Credit Union Foundation has truly transformed over the past seven years thanks to the strong support from the team at the Carolinas Credit Union League, the collaborative spirit of my colleagues at state credit unions foundations across the country, and the vision of our Foundation Board of Directors. I’m so proud to have been part of that progress,” Whaley shared. “It’s truly an honor to be recognized and join a list of remarkable leaders in our industry to receive the Farley League Leadership Award.”
Whaley joined the Foundation as president in 2015. Since then, the Foundation has distributed nearly $10 million in funding for disaster relief, hardship assistance, educational programs and grants, academic and needs-based scholarships, non-profit grant support, and more, according to the AACUL.
“By revamping the Foundation’s fund management services, Whaley has more than tripled the assets of the Foundation,” the AACUL said.
Several Initiatives Launched
The organization added that among several initiatives Whaley introduced to benefit Carolinas credit union system are professional development grants for small credit unions and a Technology and Capital Improvement Grant Program that helps small credit unions invest in technology, security, or infrastructure upgrades.
“Lauren has taken the concept of ‘foundation’ to heart, working to extend the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation as basis for credit union community support throughout North and South Carolina,” AACUL President Brad Miller said. “She is a leader among her peers, embracing cooperation and opportunities to help others in anticipated and unexpected times of need.”
The AACUL noted that in April 2020, the Foundation activated its Disaster Relief Fund to support a COVID-19 Relief Program designed by Lauren, making relief funds available to employees of Carolinas-based credit unions who experienced significant financial hardship as a result of the pandemic.
‘Transformed the Organization’
“Lauren has transformed the organization from a fundraising arm supporting large-scale projects to a strategic philanthropic partner to the credit union system in the Carolinas,” Carolinas Credit Union League President and CEO Dan Schline added. “Through her intentional and focused planning, the Foundation is positioned as a community foundation supporting the philanthropic needs of credit unions, business partners, and chapters in the Carolinas.”
The organization noted that on a national level, Whaley currently serves as the chair of the State Credit Union Foundation Network of AACUL and is on the steering committee for the Credit Union Foundation Network Group that represents those who manage philanthropy for both state foundations and credit union foundations.
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