NAFCU announces winners of 2000 Awards Competition

WASHINGTON - While attendees will be enjoying fun in the sun next month in Hawaii at NAFCU's Annual Conference & Exhibition, some attendees will be particularly happy. At press time, NAFCU had just announced the winners of its 2000 Awards Competition. The annual competition recognizes excellence in the federal credit union community and seeks to offer examples that will encourage superior performance in all credit unions. Hanscom FCU in Massachusetts has been named "Federal Credit Union of the Year" in the assets over $100 million category. During the past year, the credit union has been actively involved in community support through donations and sponsorships, while returning to its members lower interest rates, lower fees, year-end bonus dividends and loan interest rebates. SMW 104 FCU in San Leandro, Calif., was named "Federal Credit Union of the Year" in the category of credit unions with less than $100 million in assets. 1999 was a year of growth for the credit union. Assets rose more than 15% and capital grew, with the help of a 1.5% return on assets, by more than 17%. Xerox FCU President/ CEO Bill Cheney has been named "Professional of the Year" for credit unions with assets of $100 million or more. A 17-year financial services veteran, Cheney has, since 1997, managed the 15 credit union offices of Xerox FCU through such challenges as Y2K system upgrades and the creation of an indirect auto financing program partnership between Xerox and ESL FCU. Department of Defense FCU President/CEO Tina Cupello has been named "Professional of the Year" in the less than $100 million asset category. Serving at all levels of credit union operations during her 20 years of experience, Cupello accepted the challenge in 1996 to make financial improvements at DOD FCU. Today the credit union is financially sound and has a strong CAMEL rating. JSC FCU Vice Chairman Curtis Collins has been named "Volunteer of the Year" for credit unions with more than $100 million in assets. Collins was one of the first 600 members to join JSC FCU and has been with the credit union for more than 38 years. Collins has played an integral role in helping membership grow to more than 40,000 and assets grow from $1 million to over $260 million. LA DOTD FCU Chairman Judy Wascom has been named "Volunteer of the Year" in the less than $100 million in assets category. Retired from her board chair position in May of 1999, while assuming the role of CEO, Wascom laid the groundwork for a successful merger with the 4th District LA DOTD FCU and implemented many new programs. The winners will be honored during a ceremony held July 22, in conjunction with the NAFCU Annual Conference and Exhibition in Honolulu, Hawaii. -mbourjolly@cutimes.com