Minnesota CU Network Names Award Recipients

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. - During its annual meeting the Minnesota Credit Union Network has named US Federal Credit Union Executive Vice President Phil Bachman Outstanding Credit Union Professional of the Year; Hiway Federal Credit Union Board Vice Chairman Jim Seifert Outstanding Credit Union Volunteer of the Year and presented Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union with the Simon Hellermann Award for Credit Union Philanthropy. Seifert, who was formerly Hiway FCU's CEO and has been a board member for three years, was selected for his over 30 years of dedication to service, demonstrating the credit union philosophy and his tireless advocacy for the Children's Miracle Network. Bachman has been a small credit union consultant and advocate, a mentor for numerous credit union professionals. He has served on his chapter board for 20 years, as a founding member of the Credit Unions for Kids committee for 11 years, and on the Minnesota Item Processing Corporation board of directors for 11 years. Bachman will retire from US Federal on Oct. 1. The Simon Hellermann Award for Credit Union Philanthropy was established in 2000 to recognize demonstrated excellence in credit union philanthropy and contributions to the Minnesota credit union movement. This philanthropic award is a tribute to Minnesota credit union philanthropist Simon Hellermann for his dedication to the Movement, and specifically to the Children's Miracle Network/Credit Unions for Kids. The award, given on a three-year cycle, recognizes an outstanding philanthropic effort for a humanitarian cause within the credit union movement. This year's winner, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, was recognized for the efforts of its Affinity Plus Foundation in promoting financial literacy and money management skills to Minnesota residents. In addition to helping area residents boost their financial IQ and build lifelong money management skills, the Foundation also provides $20,000 each year to four student members for their secondary education.