NEW ORLEANS – During its annual conference here, NAFCU announced winners of the NAFCU/PAC 2018 White Hat Award and Credit Union Challenge Awards, while NASCUS has announced the winner of its Pierre Jay Award.
"Ensuring the credit union industry has a strong presence in Washington is as important today as it has ever been, and NAFCU thanks these credit unions and industry professionals for dedicating themselves to advancing the industry and its 117 million members," said NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger. “It is an honor to recognize their achievements in front of credit union leaders and industry professionals at our Annual Conference and Solutions Expo.”
NAFCU White Hat Award
The White Hat Award is given to NAFCU member credit unions that raised the most money for NAFCU/PAC in the previous year. This year's winner is Members 1st Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Penn. This is the 15th time that Members 1st has won the award, NAFCU said.
“Under the leadership of George Nahodil, Members 1st FCU has helped the credit union industry and its members tremendously through its successful political fundraising efforts,” said Berger. “We thank them for their commitment to the industry’s not-for-profit, cooperative mission, and for working to ensure our industry’s voice remains strong on Capitol Hill.”
NAFCU Credit Union Challenge Award
Three credit unions won the Credit Union Challenge Award for raising the most money in direct individual contributions for NAFCU/PAC within their respective asset categories in 2018.
The winners are:
- Keys Federal Credit Union in Key West, Fla. (less than $250 million in assets)
- Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union in Pensacola, Fla. ($250 million to $750 million in assets)
- Visions Federal Credit Union in Endwell, N.Y. (greater than $750 million in assets)
President and CEO of Visions Federal Credit Union, Ty Muse, won the individual Challenge Award, which goes to the person who contributed the most to NAFCU/PAC in the previous year, the trade association said.
NASCUS Honors Hughes
Separately, NASCUS has named Mary Hughes, acting director of Finance with the Idaho Department of Finance, as the 2019 recipient of the Pierre Jay Award.
The Pierre Jay Award was created by NASCUS to recognize individuals whose contributions have benefited the state credit union system in a significant way. Recipients of the award best demonstrate outstanding service, leadership and commitment to NASCUS and the dual chartering system, the association said.
The award is named after the first Commissioner of Banks in Massachusetts, Pierre Jay, who was appointed to the position in April 1906 and who exhibited a commitment to perseverance and service, which profoundly shaped credit union history. The Pierre Jay Award is presented annually during the NASCUS State System Summit. NASCUS first presented the Pierre Jay Award in 1997.
Hughes joined the Idaho Department of Finance in 1990 as a deputy attorney general, and has since served as the department’s lead attorney, Consumer Finance Bureau Chief, Financial Institutions Bureau Chief, Deputy Director, and Acting Director in 2017 and again in January 2019 to the present.
Served on Board
In addition to her service to the Idaho Department of Finance, Hughes has served as an officer and director of NASCUS and has worked on several NASCUS committees and taskforces. Notably, Hughes served on the NASCUS Board of Directors from 2009 – 2013 and has served on the NASCUS Legislative & Regulatory Committee since 2006.
Hughes further served as the NASCUS Representative to the State Liaison Committee of the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) from 2015 - 2019, where she assured that state credit union regulatory and system issues were considered by fellow State Liaison Committee members and federal members of the FFIEC.
A ’Pillar’ in Community
“Mary is a pillar in the state credit union system and a deserving recipient of the Pierre Jay Award,” said NASCUS President and CEO Lucy Ito. “Her work to advance the national state credit union system is unparalleled. Mary has a profound commitment to the safety and soundness of Idaho credit unions, which has resulted in there being no failures during her tenure. Congratulations to Mary and thank you for your service to the state system.’”
Hughes will be honored at the NASCUS State System Summit, August 15, in San Francisco.