To celebrate CU Times' 25th anniversary, we asked readers which leaders had the most influence on the industry since 1990. Based on our readers' picks, we compiled a list of 64. Now it's time to vote.

You'll find our bracket on pages 14 and 15. Round one voting will take place through Oct. 23. Each additional week will narrow the field and eventually, we'll have our Credit Union Final Four and Champion.

Here you'll find the second 32 potential influencers' profiles. Check out the full list and online voting poll at www.cutimes.com/CUTimes25FinalFour. Also, be sure to tear out our bracket on pages 14-15 and follow along to keep up with your picks' progress.

Carroll D. Beach led the Colorado Credit Union League and CUSC Shared Branching. His leadership in shared branching significantly increased member access and credit unions' ability to compete against banks.

Greg Smith is president/CEO of PSECU. The credit union was one of the first in the country to offer online banking, and Smith has served as a technology leader in the industry.

Susan Frank, president/CEO of Desert Schools FCU since 1999, became the first female CEO of a credit union with more than $1 billion in assets.

Fred Becker, retired president/CEO of NAFCU (2000-2013), was a key player in the fight for corporate stabilization.

Dan Berger was named president/CEO of NAFCU in 2013 after leading the trade association's governmental affairs division since 2006.

John McKechnie has been a key figure in credit union advocacy since the passage of H.R. 1151. After serving as CUNA's senior lobbyist for 18 years, he was the NCUA's director of public and congressional affairs.

Susan Mitchell, CEO of Mitchell, Stankovic &Associates, has assisted hundreds of credit unions with strategic planning and created WOCCU's Global Women's Initiative.

Alfonse D'Amato, former New York senator (1981-1999), chaired the Senate Banking Committee and advanced H.R. 1151.

Gigi Hyland is executive director of the National Credit Union Foundation, and a former NCUA board member (2005-2012) and CUNA executive.

Kim Sponem, president/CEO of Summit CU since 2010, was one of the youngest women to lead a billion dollar credit union.

Gary Oakland is the retired president/CEO of BECU (1980-2012), the nation's fourth-largest credit union. He promoted the use of technology in member service, served as a leadership role model and championed assistance to low-income credit unions and supplemental capital.

Joe Brancucci, president/CEO of GTE Financial since 2010, boldly dropped “credit union” from his cooperative's name and has promoted industry innovation.

Ed Speed, retired president/CEO of TDECU, grew the credit union from $400 million to $2 billion in assets. He promoted member-focused products and services.

Luis Pastor, president/CEO of Latino Community Credit Union, has created one of the fastest growing start-up cooperatives in the country.

Perry Dawson, retired president of Suncoast Schools FCU, led the launch of the CUSO CSCU and championed low-cost products and high-quality service for members.

Martin Eakes is co-founder and CEO of Self-Help Credit Union and the Center for Responsible Lending.

Randy Karnes, president/CEO of CU*Answers since 1994, redefined the CUSO structure and has captured considerable core processing system market share.

Gary B. Wolter, retired president/CEO of the Alabama Credit Union League and founder of U.S. Central Corporate CU, has been called the dean of credit union league managers.

Barry Jolette is retired president/CEO of San Mateo Credit Union. He grew SMCU from $7 million to nearly $800 million in assets and was a high-profile industry advocate for issues ranging from H.R. 1151 to World Council.

Judy McCartney, retired president/CEO of Orange County's CU, grew the credit union from $66 million to $600 million. Active in advocacy, she created the first credit union chief political officer position.

Juri Valdov, retired president/CEO of Northwest Federal CU, was also a former CUNA chairman and chairman of the Credit Union Miracle Day effort.

Dick Ensweiler is president/CEO of the Cornerstone Credit Union League and has also led the Minnesota and Illinois leagues.

Henry Wirz, president/CEO of SAFE CU, grew the credit union from $142 million to $2.1 billion and has served on boards of several industry organizations, including CO-OP, CUDL and the CCUL/NCUL task force.

Lois Kitsch is program director of the National Credit Union Foundation's REAL Solutions program and Development Education program. She has been called the industry's cooperative conscience.

Eugene Farley is retired president/CEO of the Virginia Credit Union League. The league presents an award of excellence in his name each year to a leader who exemplifies the “people helping people” philosophy.

Nancy Pierce is the retired president of Mazuma Credit Union (1988- 2001). She was also CUNA chairman during the infamous AT&T Family FCU FOM case filed by the American Bankers Association.

Teresa Freeborn has served as president/CEO of Xceed Financial Credit Union since 2006. She is also active in the Filene Research Institute's Research Council, Western CUNA Management School, the Global Women's Leadership Network and Credit Unions for Kids.

Terry West is president/CEO of Vystar Credit Union and chaired the CUNA task force on the restructuring of the corporate credit union system.

Chuck Bruen has served as president/CEO of First Entertainment Credit Union since 1987 and is a technology leader.

Norm D'Amours was a congressman and NCUA chairman from 1993 to 2000.

John Fiore, retired president/CEO of Motorola Employees Credit Union, served on the boards of Alloya Corporate FCU, the Illinois Credit Union League, National Credit Union Foundation, CUNA, CSCU and FSCC.

Jean Yokum was president/CEO of Langley Federal Credit Union (1979-2008) and grew the credit union to $1.1 billion in assets.

Instant Insights /

Vote for the Top Leaders Since 1990: Credit Union Final Four

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