FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — At the NASCUS State System Summit hereon August 9, Mendell Thompson, CEO of America's Christian CU told attendees that he and George Reynolds, senior deputy commissioner of the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance were following the "Chair Babes" JoAnne Fillwock and Linda Jekel as NASCUS Chairman and CU Advisory Council Chairman. "But seriously," added Thompson, as Fillwock, now retired from Option One CU and Jekel, director of credit unions for Washington State laughed good naturedly, "they gave us an outstanding example of leadership in challenging times and we are grateful for their hard work and devotion to credit unions and defense of dual chartering."

"Americans like choice and NASCUS is the only organization that advocates for the states," said Thompson. "At NASCUS, we talk about things; we like dialog because it brings people together, even those with different opinions and points of view. But the power of dialog shapes our lives and our mission. There are a lot of groups out there that want to impede that mission, but we won't let them succeed," promised Thompson.

Fillwock was presented with a NASCUS Board resolution and parting gift in appreciation for her service, which Thompson described as "generous and lasting." He added that he sincerely hoped she would be available in some voluntary capacity, because "it would be a real loss not to have her around."