Once again, Credit Union Times is very proud to announce the winners of the annual Trailblazer awards. This year is the seventh for the program honoring outstanding achievement in the industry.
The 2012 winners were announced at the Governmental Affairs Conference March 18-22 in Washington, D.C.
Here they are:
CEO of the Year
Kyle Markland, Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, St. Paul, Minn.
Kyle Markland Remains Stubbornly Member-Focused – Michelle Samaad
When he was hired at Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union at the age of 33, Kyle Markland admits that the board took a chance on bringing in someone so young to lead what was then a $357 million cooperative.
Volunteer of the Year
Terry Richardson, Pioneer West Virginia Federal Credit Union, Charleston, W.Va.
Terry Richardson Sets the Member-Centric Tone – Myriam DiGiovanni
It’s all about the member for Board Chairman Terry Richardson, but for over 34 years, to the team at Pioneer West Virginia Federal Credit Union, he has simply been the personification of an extraordinary coach.
IT Executive of the Year
Jeff Johnson, Baxter Credit Union, Vernon Hills, Ill.
Jeff Johnson Creates New Standard for Credit Unions – Marc Rapport
Jeff Johnson’s co-workers and peers say he has helped set new standards for bringing together technology and member service, figuratively and now literally
Chief Financial Officer of the Year
David Kwant, Mountain America Credit Union, West Jordan, Utah
David Kwant Marries Financials With Operational Finesse – Donald Shoultz
Before David A. Kwant joined Mountain America nearly 25 years ago, he was Utah’s supervisor of credit unions. “It helps me get into trouble,” he said now with a chuckle.
Marketing Executive of the Year
Kathryn Davis, Xceed Financial Credit Union, El Segundo, Calif.
Kathryn Davis Uses Marketing to Shape CU’s Business – Myriam DiGiovanni
Limits don’t exist for Kathryn Davis, senior vice president at Xceed Financial Credit Union.
Lending Officer of the Year
Brett Jorgenson, Gesa Credit Union, Richland, Wash.
Brett Jorgenson Awakes Lending Giant at Gesa Credit Union – David Morrison
Brett Jorgenson found that many of Gesa's members just didn't think of the CU in terms of filling their loan needs, seeing the credit union more as a place where they could save money and as a place for transaction accounts. He’s changing that.
HR Executive of the Year
Kristina Derkos, Redwood Credit Union, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Kristina Derkos Relishes a Passion for CU and Staff Success – Myriam DiGiovanni
One phrase, “do the right thing,” has been at the core of what drives Kristina Derkos, senior vice president of employee relations/development at Redwood Credit Union.
Service to the Underserved
Latino Community Credit Union, Durham, N.C.
Latino Community CU Seeks Out Banking Novices – David Morrison
If there were a category of potential credit union members that could be described as beyond unbanked, those would be the people that Latino Community Credit Union seeks to serve.
Outstanding Political Action
Islamic Investment and Finance Cooperative Group, Kabul Afghanistan
Facing Up to the Challenges for Co-Ops in Afghanistan – David Morrison
Whenever credit union political activists grow frustrated at their work with federal or state legislators, when the doors seem closed or telephone calls go unreturned, they could pause to reflect on the duties performed by Mahir Momand, CEO of the Islamic Investment and Finance Cooperative Group.
