Eighteen credit union executives have been selected to join theFilene Research Institute's i⊃3; (ideas, innovations,implementation) program, which fosters the development of new ideasand innovations for credit unions.

For the next two years, executives will participate insemi-annual meetings arranged by Filene and be responsible forpiloting new ideas at their credit unions.

According to Madison, Wis.-based Filene, its I⊃3; program hashelped launch “blockbuster” programs such as Save to Win(prized-based savings accounts), nationwide Savings Challenges(reality TV meets wallet improvement), and Debt in Focus (ananonymous, online financial assessment tool).

The programs, said Filene, have fundamentally improved the waycredit unions provide financial guidance to their members.

“While the struggles of consumers and financial institutions areall too real, this environment is perfect for innovation,” saidGeorge Hofheimer, Filene's chief research and innovationofficer. “We're confident that this new group of i⊃3;ers hasthe skills, passion and grit to transform the lives of consumersthrough credit unions.”

The credit union executives are:

• Megan Armstrong, Saratoga's Community Federal Credit Union,Saratoga Springs, N.Y.,
• William Azaroff, Vancity, Vancouver, British Columbia,
• Brad Barnes, Air Academy Federal Credit Union, ColoradoSprings, Colo.,
• KayceBell, Alabama Credit Union, Tuscaloosa, Ala.,
• Marquis Boochee, Xceed Financial Credit Union, El Segundo,Calif.
• Danielle Brehmer, Lake Trust Credit Union, Lansing, Mich.,
• Cindy Brucato, GTE Financial, Tampa, Fla.,
• Taylor Carstens, People's Trust Federal Credit Union, Houston,Texas,
• RobertChristiansen, Servus Credit Union, Edmonton, Alberta,
• Andrew Downin, Schools First Federal Credit Union, Santa Ana,Calif.,
• Damian Jakubcyzk, Elevators Credit Union, Boulder, Colo.,
• David Klavitter, Dupaco Community Credit Union, Dubuque,Iowa,
• Matt Monge, Mazuma Credit Union, Kansas City, Mo.,
• Andea Mosher, University of Michigan Credit Union, Ann Arbor,Mich.,
• Michael Salerno, America First Credit Union, Ogden, Utah,
• AndrewSpirrison, FORUM Credit Union, Fishers, Ind.,
• Mary Beth Spuck, TwinStar Credit Union, Olympia, Wash.,and,
• Denise Wymore, Del Norte Credit Union, Los Alamos, N.M.