NAPLES, Fla. – Dan Egan, president/CEO of the Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire Credit Union Leagues, has joined the list of league presidents who have received the prestigious Eagle Award from the American Association of Credit Union Leagues. Egan was presented the award by David Chatfield, president/CEO of the California Credit Union League and the 2004 recipient of the Eagle Award, on Jan. 20 at the banquet held during the AACUL's Annual Meeting, Jan. 18-21 at The Registry Hotel in Naples, Fla. Among some of the other league presidents and past presidents who have received the Eagle Award are Dick Ensweiler, Texas Credit Union League (2002); Herb Walberg, Montana Credit Union Network (2000); Tom Griffiths, Iowa Credit Union League (1998); Gary Plank, Arizona Credit Union League (1993); and Gary Wolter, Alabama Credit Union League (1984). Egan is the 15th recipient of the Eagle Award in its 24-year history. The award is not presented annually but only when AACUL determines there is a worthy candidate who the association determines meets the high criteria including: showing outstanding achievement at the league level, is willing to speak out and take a stand on critical and controversial issues; has demonstrated leadership beyond the league level; has been innovative in creating or implementing new ideas; and maintains an unremitting dedication to credit union and personal principles and an unflagging focus on important issues. Egan told Credit Union Times he was "totally surprised" when his name was called to receive the award. He explained that he'd only just arrived at the conference that Friday afternoon because the Rhode Island Credit Union League had hosted a banquet at the state house for legislators that he had to attend. Even at that late arrival date, Egan made a point of attending the AACUL Annual Meeting because he was one of the people selected to roast out-going AACUL Chairman Paul Mercer, president/CEO, Ohio Credit Union League. "I thought that was the only reason I had to be there, so I was totally stunned first when they announced they were presenting the award and then again when my name was called. I had absolutely no idea they even intended to present the award this year," Egan said. "It's always a humbling experience to receive an award from your peers because it comes from people who do the same job you do every day and decide your contributions are worthy of recognition," Egan told Credit Union Times. "There are all sorts of plaques and things you receive over a career, but this one particularly stands out," he added. Actually, the evening held a second treat for Egan. As it turns out John Hume, the 1998 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and one of the founders of the first credit union in Northern Ireland, was also staying at The Registry with his wife on a vacation after delivering the Martin Luther King Jr. address in Boston. Egan explained that Hume recognized the words `credit union' on the nametag of Rick Pillow, president/CEO of the Virginia Credit Union League. After the two of them got to talking, Pillow invited Hume and his wife to attend the reception and banquet. Egan explained that, "I knew John Hume as a historical figure because when he first came to the U.S. he came to Boston looking for support for his peace efforts in Northern Ireland. He became friends with former U.S. Speaker of the House Tipp O'Neal who I knew from my involvement with politics in Massachusetts when I worked as a legislative representative. Tipp was a political idol of mine, and he considered John Hume to be one of his political heroes. "Hume has his Nobel Peace Prize, and I'll gladly accept the Eagle Award," said Egan. -

[email protected]