NAPERVILLE, Ill — Recognizing one of its most distinguished alumni, the Illinois Credit Union League has inducted former CUNA Chairman Dick Ensweiler into its Hall of Fame.
"Dick Ensweiler has been involved with credit unions his entire adult life and truly demonstrates the 'People Helping People' philosophy in a multitude of ways," said the Illinois League in creating the special "leadership award."
Ensweiler, a member of the CUNA Board and president/CEO of the Texas Credit Union League, received the honor during the Illinois League's annual convention in Chicago April 27.
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Ensweiler served as Illinois League president from 1974 to 1984 and during that time expanded an array of services including legal, processing and marketing, also hiring the league's first lobbyist and general counsel, said a Hall of Fame proclamation.
"His dynamic personality and personal involvement with the Illinois credit union movement, league staff and board members, legislators and the national scene can be credited with bringing the league into the modern era of the credit union movement," said Dan Plauda, president/CEO of the Illinois League.
Introduced in 1996, the league's Hall of Fame awards "recognize individuals for lifetime achievements and leadership on behalf of the Illinois credit union movement." Ensweiler, said the league, "was the only individual honored with a leadership award."
Accepting the accolades, Ensweiler told convention attendees he deeply appreciated the award as "humbling" adding he was fortunate to serve as one of the industry's "architects at a time when the whole financial and support system for credit unions was being constructed."
He credited the league staff and a supportive board for being able to accomplish what he did for the trade group.
He also said none of it would have been possible without another important ingredient: an enthusiastic membership "that wanted to maximize cooperation to better serve their members." –[email protected]
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