KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — On April 24, NCUA Chairman JoAnn Johnson presented the President's Volunteer Service Award to Gordon A. Simmons, president/CEO of Service Credit Union. President Bush created the Volunteer Service Award in 2003 as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service.

The $1.25 billion credit union, which Simmons has led for 13 years, creatively serves a dual membership of internationally stationed, enlisted military that is concentrated in Germany and community members in its home state of New Hampshire and nearby Massachusetts.

Simmons took over as SCU's CEO in 1995, when the credit union had only $282 million in assets. Since then, Simmons has grown assets four times over and created a vibrant, growing credit union that isn't entirely immune from economic struggles, but as of March 31, boasts a stalwart 13.36% net worth, is experiencing only 0.29% loan delinquency, and reported a 1.32 return on assets in these tough economic times.