BALTIMORE — A walk down memory lane filled with tears, laughter and accolades set the stage for the Alonzo Swann and Tawana James, this year's recipients of the Peter Crear Lifetime Achievement Award.
Swann currently serves at regional director of NCUA Region III and is responsible for coordinating examination activities for more than 1,800 federal credit unions in 10 states, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. He started his career with the regulator back in 1983 as an examiner. James is the director of NCUA's Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives and traces her career back to 1983 when she came to the agency as a temporary accounting technician.
The Aug. 10 award ceremony featured snapshots of both Swann and James during their early years at NCUA and also with family and friends. Letters from NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson and others across the country who could not be there were read to the packed room. Pete Crear, of which the African-American Credit Union Coalition created the award in his honor in August 2003, served as master of ceremonies for the dinner occasion.
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To thunderous applause, James' husband Reginald said he considered the recognition the "second lifetime achievement award." The first was the day the couple got married in 1984. In a moving tribute, James' daughter Felicia, performed a dance piece to her mother's favorite song.
"I am so honored to receive the award but I didn't get here by myself," James said. "I give a piece to my husband, and my kids, to my living siblings and to my awesome, awesome staff."
Swann, who said he prides himself on "trying not to let people see me sweat or cry," admitted he was so humbled when he received word that he would be honored, it brought him to tears. He was even more moved that his mother and other family members had surprised him by showing up to the award ceremony. Swann's sons spoke about how their father reminded them to learn from their mistakes while his wife Deborah let attendees on several secrets: "He likes coupons" and even with his busy schedule, Swann is an expert with the vacuum and mop, she joked.
"I thought about the past recipients of this award who are still working hard," said Swann, who is also a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserves. "What that means is I have an obligation and I plan on paying it back."
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