Grzegorz Bierecki, president/CEO of the National Association ofCooperative Savings & Credit Unions, Poland's credit uniontrade association and a member of World Council of Credit Unionscan add parliament member to his growing list ofaccomplishments.

Bierecki, who also serves as WOCCU first vice chair, wasrecently elected as a Law and Justice Party senator representingBiaa Podlaska, a town located in eastern Poland. It marksBierecki's first election to public office.

"As a senator, I can initiate as well as participate in thelegislative process," said Bierecki, who reportedly defeated hisopponent by a 50% margin. "I can promote changes to the CooperativeAct and the Credit Union Act, as well as other important financialsector regulation."

The veteran executive will continue to serve in his capacitiesboth with NACSCU and WOCCU.

According to Brian Branch, president/CEO of WOCCU, Bierecki’s election helps fill the void of credit unionchampion left following last year’s tragic death in an airplanecrash of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, a long-time credit union advocate and formerpresident of the Foundation for Polish Cooperative Savings andCredit Unions.

He added that Poland's credit unions have always effectivelyrepresented their member's interests, and Bierecki's election takespolitical involvement to a new level.

"The election was a huge victory for credit unions both inPoland and worldwide," said Branch, who recently led an engagementprogram of U.S. credit union league and association executives toNACSCU headquarters to study the Polish credit union system. "Weare thrilled by the results of the election and happy that Poland'scredit unions once again have a powerful champion in the governmentwho will be working on their behalf."

The 2012 World Credit Union Conference has been slated for July15-18 in Gdansk, Poland.