BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The inaugural edition of Who's Who in America's Credit Unions includes 8,804 unsung heroes and high-profile leaders of the credit union movement.

“There were high profile leaders whose names we all know that gained induction, but there were thousands of unsung heroes of the movement as well,” said Kirk Cuevas president/CEO of Who's Who in America's Credit Unions. “This was the purpose in establishing the Who's Who program, and we couldn't be more thrilled with the first year response.”

There were 10,000 nominations received nationwide and the final inductees were selected based upon accomplishments and service of a minimum five years or other compensating experience. The inaugural edition of Who's Who in America's Credit Unions annual publication will available for purchase in May 2008.

“The Editorial Advisory Board was blown away by the quality of the nominees and the wide array of backgrounds inducted into our inaugural edition,” said Dennis Dollar, Editorial Advisory Board Chairman. “We are hoping that this is just the beginning, as there are thousands of unsung heroes of our movement who deserve greater recognition of their service in building America's credit unions into what they are today.”

Other members of the Editorial Advisory Board that validated the inductees included former NAFCU CEO Ken Robinson; retired Virginia Credit Union League CEO Gene Farley; former NCUA Board member and current acting CEO of Andrews FCU Deborah Matz; Alabama Credit Union League President Gary Wolter; Truliant FCU President and CEO Marcus Schafer; Board Chairman of Aberdeen Proving Ground FCU David Gilbert; current National Federation of Community Development Credit Union chair Eunice Rogers; and former NCUA Vice Chair Shirlee Bown?(C).

Who's Who in America's Credit Unions is priced at approximately $179 and recognition items such as, plaques and label pins are priced below $100.

Cuevas said that each year he plans to formally dedicate the Who's Who edition to an individual or individuals, either alive or deceased, who have made significant contributions to the American credit union movement. The dedication of the inaugural edition will be announced in March.