The Crash Network has chosen 16 young credit union professionalsto attend CUNA's 2011 GAC and complete a service project designedto improve their credit unions or the industry.

Created in 2010, the Crash Network is a way for those under 30to become more deeply involved in the industry.

“It was a privilege last year to attend [CUNA's GAC] and networkwith the best and brightest credit unions have to offer,” saidBrent Dixon, young adult adviser with the Filene Research Instituteand Crash Network founder. “Crash the GAC was the spark for whathas become a completely grassroots young professionals group,”

The official Crash the GAC sponsor, PSCU Financial Services,will cover the cost of Crashers' lodging, meals and reception.CUNA's Center for Professional Development has offered scholarshipsfor attendees. Out of 59 applicants, the young professionals whowill attend the GAC this year were chosen by a panel of eight.Below are brief profiles of the chosen 16.

Brandon Michaels is chief financial officer at Mazuma CreditUnion, Kansas City, Mo. Michaels is treasurer/secretary of the CUNACFO Council's executive committee and chair of the council's annualconference planning committee. He is a third-generation creditunion executive; his mother is CEO of Western Healthcare FCU inConcord, Calif., and his grandmother is a retired CEO of the formerAvon Refinery FCU, also in Concord. Michaels was an examiner forthree years for the FDIC.

Amber Renick is a member service officer at First Capital FCU,York, Penn. In May 2010 Renick was awarded with the title of“Pennsylvania Credit Union Youth Ambassador” and has been travelingand speaking on the theme of connecting credit unions with youngergenerations. She has also appeared on a recent televised edition of“Pennsylvania Newsmakers,” in which she explained ways to buildcredit and avoid high interest rates.

Kelly Griego is an executive benefits sales and servicerepresentative at CUNA Mutual Group. Prior to joining CUNA Mutualin 2008, Griego worked at Ameriprise Financial and New EnglandFinancial. He served in several capacities, including as afinancial adviser and wealth management associate. He has abachelor of science in behavioral science and law from theUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison as well as Series 7 and 66 licensesand life, accident and health licenses.

Amanda Thomas is a marketing and business development manager atMembers First Credit Union, Columbus, Ohio. As marketing andbusiness development manager, Thomas's primary responsibilitiesinclude leveraging network, social media and marketing strategiesto grow membership, ongoing brand development, community outreach,public relations, and the development and execution of the creditunion's marketing and business development plans.

Robert Lefkowicz is a service center manager at Suncoast SchoolsFCU, Tampa, Fla. Lefkowicz began his credit union career at OMNICommunity CU in Battle Creek, Mich., after graduating from WesternMichigan University. After moving to Suncoast Schools FCU, heascended through the member representative positions to become amanager. Lefkowicz has earned the CCUE, CFSP and CLS CUNAcertifications and is currently completing his MBA at theUniversity of Wisconsin.

Shannon Maloney is director of marketing at Seasons FederalCredit Union, Middletown, Conn. Maloney has served five years inthe marketing department at Seasons FCU, working her way up fromsummer intern to director of marketing. A second-generation creditunion advocate, she has a bachelor's degree in advertising fromTemple University in Philadelphia.

Ronaldo Hardy is a branch coordinator at La Capitol FederalCredit Union, Baton Rouge, La. Hardy started his career in bankingnine years ago and joined La Capitol FCU in 2004. During his tenurein the financial industry, he has served in several roles,including teller, personal banker, loan underwriter, member servicesupervisor and electronic services supervisor. Hardy was a recentrunner-up in CUES' Next Top Credit Union Exec competition.

Sasha Kemble is a trainer and silver-lining specialist at VerityCredit Union, Seattle. Kemble began her credit union career in 2005at Whatcom Educational Credit Union in Bellingham, Wash., andjoined the team at Verity CU in 2009. As the credit union's trainerand silver-lining specialist, she seeks to develop and supportstaff in their roles and help people create the opportunities thatconnect them to the credit union movement.

Melissa Polley is a member communications specialist at theWisconsin CU League. As the league's member communicationsspecialist, Polley writes and edits league publications. She alsocoordinates the league's social media efforts. In 2010, Polley tookon a new role as liaison for the league's young professionalscouncil. In that capacity she helps facilitate a statewide youngprofessionals network that encourages CU employees to learn aboutthe movement.

Chris Wolgamott is a community development liaison at MeritrustCredit Union, Wichita, Kan. Wolgamott has been in the credit unionindustry for almost 13 years at Meritrust and BECU in Seattle. Hespends his time developing and teaching financial literacy classesto schools and nonprofit organizations in Wichita and throughoutKansas. Wolgamott earned his bachelor's degree from Wichita StateUniversity and his master's from Kansas State University.

Alexia Mavrakes is a senior marketing associate at AspireFederal Credit Union, Clark, N.J. Upon graduating from RutgersUniversity with a bachelor's degree in English and a double majorin Spanish, Mavrakes was hired by Aspire FCU, then known as FAAEastern Region FCU. During the credit union's name change andrebranding project, she worked closely with the executive staff toensure that employee and member communication about the change wasinformative and positive.

Michael Langhorst is an assistant vice president/branch managerat CFE FCU, Lake Mary, Fla. Langhorst started his career at CFE FCUat age 23 and has worked with the credit union for almost eightyears. In 2007, he was promoted to his current position. Langhorstis also site manager for the credit union's volunteer income taxassistance program, as well as a graduate of the CUNA ManagementSchool, where he was elected president by a group of his peersduring his first year.

Jennifer Jenkins is lead marketing manager at PSECU, Harrisburg,Penn. Jenkins has been employed by PSECU for seven years. Her firstencounter with a credit union was through a college internship. Aslead marketing manager, she oversees all marketing projects,including PSECU's government relations materials and communicationsto members. She is a member of Harrisburg Young Professionals andis studying corporate communications and business at ElizabethtownCollege.

Whitney Thompson is a member service officer at AmericanHeritage FCU, Philadelphia. Thompson is the leader of a financialliteracy program with inner city students and is a mentor and rolemodel for foster children in her neighborhood. A graduate of TempleUniversity in Philadelphia with degrees in finance and real estate,Thompson is currently pursuing her MBA at Arcadia University inPhiladelphia.

Lisa Totaro is marketing associate at Sunmark FCU, Latham, N.Y.Totaro has worked in the credit union industry for nearly fouryears. She is a piloting member of the Credit Union Association ofNew York's Young Professionals Commission, which seeks to developstrategies and practices that help the state's credit unionsrecruit and develop young adults as employees and volunteers. Shealso serves on the Women's Business Council steering committee forthe Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce. Totaro is agraduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in Americanstudies.

Sean Capaloff-Jones is a manager of member outreach at UMassFiveCollege FCU, Hadley, Mass. Capaloff-Jones received his bachelor'sdegree in history from the University of Massachusetts in Amherstin 2009 and spent his time in college working at a collectively runstudent business. He has been working in his current position asmanager of member outreach at UMassFive College FCU since October2010. He serves as the liaison for all credit union sponsor groupsand coordinates the credit union's financial literacy, communityinvolvement and public affairs initiatives.