SPOKANE, Wash. — The Northwest Credit Union Association recognized a number of CU leaders during its annual meeting here, and also raised more than $300,000 as part of its Kentucky Derby-themed auction.
Among those honored were:
Lifetime Achievement Award: Tom Johnson, president and CEO of STCU.
The NWCUA said Johnson was recognized for being an “extraordinary credit union leader with a lifetime of accomplishments to celebrate.”
“Tom has seized every opportunity to propel the Credit Union Movement forward,” said Troy Stang, NWCUA president and CEO. “He consistently leads by example to serve his local community, engage with elected officials, and spread good news about the credit union difference.”
Johnson’s path to the CEO’s office is a bit unusual, even in a movement populated with talent and passion, Stang noted. Johnson first served as a volunteer member of STCU’s board of directors while he was an executive at a local university. His dedication to the movement led him to accept fulltime employment at STCU ten years ago, and he became CEO in 2011. The Liberty Lake, Washington-based credit union serves 166,000 members and protects more than $2.5 billion in assets. Johnson is known as a fierce credit union advocate and earned the NWCUA’s Washington Advocate of the Year Award in 2015. He was recognized nationally for leading a “Love Letter” campaign in 2013, which resulted in 15,000 people sending positive credit union messages to Congress. Johnson has received numerous regional honors for his work in the business and education communities.
Innovation and Impact Award, Rogue Credit Union, Medford, Ore.
For the first time in the NWCUA Awards program history, a team captured the Innovation and Impact Award.
“Rogue created a unique, two-year program that grew leaders internally,” Stang said. “As a result, the credit union developed a pool of managers who not only demonstrate technical and professional leadership expertise, but have also been steeped in the credit union’s culture.”
Distinguished Director Award: Roger Mauldin, BECU, Tukwila, Wash.
According to the NWCUA, Mauldin is an ardent advocate who has educated state and federal lawmakers about credit unions as a CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference and Hike the Hill attendee. He has served on the BECU board of directors since 1983.
“Roger upholds his credit union’s history and cooperative values while advocating for innovation and change,” noted Stang.
Young Credit Union Award: Nick Fugal, Chief Financial Officer of Nampa, Idaho-based Clarity Credit Union
The NWCUA said Fugal is a former CUNA GAC “crasher” and is actively engaged as a member of the NWCUA’s Idaho Governmental Affairs Committee. He is an honors graduate of the Western CUNA Management School, helped to establish Climb Idaho, the Gem State’s young professionals group, and helped the NWCUA launch its Northwest Young Professionals Network this year.
The NWCUA also honored the following credit union champions as Advocates of the Year:
- Connie Miller, CEO, Icon Credit Union, Boise Idaho. Miller implemented advocacy and political fundraising training for the entire staff, co-chairs the NWCUA’s Idaho Governmental Affairs Committee, and actively participates in all key NWCUA advocacy initiatives.
- Gene Pelham, President and CEO, Rogue Credit Union, Medford, Oregon. Pelham has organized internal and external Governmental Affairs Committees at Rogue, and invested in advocacy training for all staff. He has served as Co-Chair of the NWCUA’s Oregon Governmental Affairs Committee.
- Jeff Kennedy, CEO, TwinStar Credit Union, Lacey, Washington. TwinStar shares advocacy information not only with staff, but with its members. Kennedy, current Co-Chair of NWCUA’s Washington Governmental Affairs Committee, has personally hosted fundraising events for candidates who support credit unions.
The NWCUA presented its “LEAP” award to the Spokane Chapter of Credit Unions for overall excellence in leadership, education, advocacy, and philosophy in action. Honorable mention awards were given to the Southwest Washington Chapter of Credit Unions for educational programming, the Southwest Chapter of Idaho Credit Unions for excellence in Leadership, and the Willamette Chapter of Oregon Credit Unions for its work in educational programming and philosophy in action.
Six credit unions from each of the three states the NWCUA represents were presented with “Top of the Hill” honors for consistently excelling in advocacy initiatives. They are:
- Beehive Federal Credit Union, CapEd Credit Union, East Idaho Credit Union, P1FCU, and Simplot Employees Credit Union in Idaho;
- Central Willamette Community Credit Union, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Oregon State Credit Union, Providence Federal Credit Union, Rivermark Community Credit Union, and Rogue Credit Union in Oregon; and
- Fibre Federal Credit Union, Newrizons Federal Credit Union, Numerica Credit Union, Seattle Credit Union, Sound Credit Union, and TwinStar Credit Union in Washington.
Separately, the NWCUA reported its Run for the Roses Credit Unions for Kids Auction raised $325,000 for the 8 Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in the Northwest.