Despite receiving a Herb WegnerLifetime Achievement Award for a career at one of the country'slargest credit unions, Gary Oakland said he most vividly remembersworking with small credit unions and supporting the financialeducation program BizKid$.

Oakland, who in April retired as president/CEO of the $11.5billion BECU in Seattle, will accept the award along with threeother winners at the National Credit Union Foundation's Herb WegnerAwards Dinner in Washington on Feb. 24.

“Gary's contributions to the credit union movement were soobvious, as everything he touches turns to success for the averageAmerican consumer,” said John Gregoire, chair of NCUF Wegner AwardsSelection Committee and president of The ProCon Group in Madison,Wis., in a release. “It's evident in the growth of BECU, the statesupervision system, dual credit union chartering, Biz Kid$, NCUF,and much more.”

The foundation cited Oakland's support of the credit unionmovement through CUNA, the former Washington Credit Union League,NASCUS, the Filene Research Institute and the NCUF.

But Oakland said his work at BECU in which the institutionhelped new, small credit unions, such as the $2.7 million TULIPCooperative Credit Union of Olympia, Wash., was especiallyfulfilling He also said he that while he got far too much creditfor helping to launch BizKid$, the award winning financialeducation program, he derived a great deal of satisfaction fromwatching young people learn to manage their finances in way whichhelped them in life, rather than burdened them.

Through leading the production initiative, committing $500,000initially and $1 million overall, bringing together a group ofcredit unions that raised $2.6 million per year, and ultimatelymaking the project a possibility, Oakland became the faceassociated with Bizkid$ success, the NCUF noted in its award.

“Had it not been for Gary's effort, leadership, financial andpersonal commitment, [Biz Kid$] would never have happened,” saidRudy Hanley, president/CEO of the $9.8 billion SchoolsFirst FCU.“The result has been overwhelming. After five seasons, 13 Emmynominations and 2 Emmy awards, the program is being delivered tomillions of students through a variety of channels andparticipating organizations.”

When asked what he planned to do next, Oakland said heconsidered himself truly retired.

“They had a lunch the other day for retired board members andwhen I went, I put on my watch which I haven't worn in about a yearor so,” he said. “Well, on my way I looked down and saw that it hadstopped and I hadn't even noticed. I took that as sign from Godthat I am really retired.”