Trailblazer

• Baltimore's MECU Agrees to Buy Local Bank

  By Marc Rapport  |  April 4, 2013

  Purchase would mark fourth credit union takeover of bank in past year and a half.

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  Onsite Coverage: Trailblazers Award Reception at GAC in Photos

  By Marc Rapport  |  February 27, 2013

  WASHINGTON — Winners were feted and old friends greeted at Credit Union Times' Trailblazers reception Tuesday night at the GAC. (Photos by John Cooke)

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  Trailblazer Award: IT Executive Chad Graves Takes Holistic Approach

  By Marc Rapport  |  February 27, 2013

  Like many executives, Chad Graves begins his day by reading The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and his local newspaper. Only Graves is not a CEO or CFO, he’s the chief technologist at Ent Federal Credit Union.

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  Trailblazer Award: CEO Joe Brancucci Fends Off Hornet’s Nest of Criticism

  By Michelle A. Samaad  |  February 27, 2013

  Don’t expect Joe Brancucci to back down from his convictions, especially when it comes to how credit unions have the choice of evolving or face extinction.

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  Trailblazer Award: CFO Scott Waite’s Leadership Extends Beyond Patelco

  By Heather Anderson  |  February 27, 2013

  The $3.9 billion Patelco Credit Union experienced its most profitable year in the Pleasanton, Calif.-based institution’s 76-year history, with a $55.5 million net profit and 1.48% return on assets. In fact, last year’s earnings were more than the total of $37 million earned from 2005 to 2011 combined.

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  Trailblazer Award: Marketer Kristen Mashburn Leverages Expertise on Behalf of Members

  By Myriam DiGiovanni  |  February 27, 2013

  Never tell Kristen Mashburn, director of marketing at Listerhill Credit Union, that marketing is little more than the latest ad campaign.

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  Trailblazer Award: Lending Officer Svehla Stumps for the Vital Role of Collections

  By David Morrison  |  February 27, 2013

  Not all trailblazers strike out for the frontiers. Sometimes blazing trails means leading people back through terrain they thought they knew in order to rediscover treasures they forgot they lost.

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  Trailblazer Award: Volunteer Carroll Beach Asks Management the Tough Questions

  By Michelle A. Samaad  |  February 27, 2013

  If you ask Carroll Beach his age, he’ll likely request a little clarity. “Is that chronologically or mentally? Chronologically, I’m 73. Mentally, I try to be aware of the new changes. I like to be aware and adapt. If you don’t do that, it will make your life miserable,” Beach suggested.

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  Trailblazer Award: Underserved Honoree Shreveport FCU Seek the Most Unwanted

  By David Morrison  |  February 27, 2013

  Many, if not most, credit unions would balk at the notion of adopting former state prison inmates as potential members. But it should tell you a lot about the 21,000-member $90 million Shreveport Federal Credit Union that the idea met with near universal approval from the first time it was...

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  Trailblazer Award: Political Action Honoree Thomas Renz Says He’s Always Been an Activist

  By Heather Anderson  |  February 27, 2013

  Thomas Renz, president and chief development officer for the $32 million Commodore Perry FCU, didn’t decide to become an activist when he appealed the credit union’s 2011 exam. Instead, the Credit Union Times 2013 Political Action Trailblazer Award winner contended that he’s always been one.