Crayton has served the credit union movement for over 38 years in a variety roles including as CEO of a credit union and currently as CFO of United Community Credit Union. During that time he also served on the League board for 16 years and the ICU Foundation board for 5 years. He has been active in the Chapter and throughout the community and has served as a role model and mentor for many up and coming leaders.
John Adams has been recognized on multiple occasions for his dedication and support of the uniqueness of credit unions. His career spans over 40 years of service to the Credit Union Movement. Today he joins those inducted into the first Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
John was honored on July 20, 1991 by the Illinois Credit Union League in recognition of his distinguished service to credit unions everywhere. In November of 1972 the Illinois Credit Union League’s board of directors resolved to “exhibit our support and confidence in the activities of John Adams on the national credit union scene by unanimously approving a Resolution of Commendation in recognition of his outstanding service.”
John has long been associated with three powerful letters: EFT. As chair of the original CUNA funds transfer committee in February of 1974, John served as a catalyst for action. Where would credit unions be today without share drafts?
EFT became a credit union buzzword largely through his efforts. Adams chaired the EFT committee from 1974 to 1977. He developed materials utilized in seven national EFT seminars. His integral knowledge of credit union operations and EFT systems clearly made the difference in the success of these seminars.
When Adams organized the Butler Employees Credit Union in Galesburg in 1949, he could not have imagined where he might lead others throughout his exemplary career. John has held the position of treasurer and manager of the credit union he founded.
Adams had been the Galesburg Chapter’s league director until 1985. John served as a director of the Illinois Credit Union League for 23 years. He was a national director of CUNA from 1969 to 1985 and served as CUNA vice chair from 1970 to 1991.
As an individual with the distinction of being tough and thorough, it is no wonder that he has a reputation for getting things done. With his “can do” attitude he rightly takes his place in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame as one of the outstanding national leaders in the credit union movement.
After spending more than a half of a century dedicating himself to the credit union movement, Robert Albrecht rightly holds a hallowed place in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame. His keen volunteer spirit has truly driven Robert to do great things for credit unions, his hometown, his church and his company.
Always an integral member of the Sherwin Williams Employees Credit Union of South Holland, Albrecht served on the board of directors for 52 years. There he chaired the finance committee for 33 years, provided his help to both the insurance and building committees and held the offices of president and treasurer.
For over a quarter of a century Robert held the title of governor of the Southeast Chapter, winning the Illinois Credit Union League Merit Award in 1981. He helped found two credit unions, Ford Motor and Rock River Conference. Albrecht was also the financial advisor to the IHB Riverdale Credit Union.
Albrecht, who is active in both civic and church affairs, is a leader in every aspect of his life. As part of his dedication to his country, he was an election judge. He got 96% of the voters in his Harvey precinct to vote. Robert served as treasurer for the Thornton Township Historical Society and actively participated in the church-sponsored Joliet Prisoner Release Program.
In his church, Robert is active in the Christian Marriage Ministry of Greater Chicago, has served as a delegate to the General Conference and convinced members to self-fund the construction of four churches. He is also a bible class leader and chaired the Endowment Fund for 14 years, which more than doubled the funds initially invested.
We honor Robert Albrecht. He was born to Ohio farmers and stayed involved in the family farm throughout his other activities. Albrecht graduated cum laude with a BA from North Central College and a BS in Chemistry from North Dakota State University. He worked tirelessly during his career with the Sherwin Williams Company for nearly 46 years. We appreciate your lifelong zest and continuous efforts to increase credit unions in Illinois.
Few can walk through the doors of Deere & Company Credit Union in Moline and not remember Jeanne Andrews. For 36 years the names of DCCU and Andrews were one and the same!
Jeanne discovered excellence well before it became associated with Tom Peters! No matter where the “office” was located, she always had a knack for serving her credit union family.
Andrews was the first paid employee of the credit union. She helped everyone adjust to many changes in location and in services. Whether she handled member calls about car financing at home or handled the day’s receipts and applications on her coffee table, Jeanne always knew members were first.
In return, Jeanne has entered yet another first. She is among the special Illinois Hall of Fame inductees who are being initiated into this prestigious group.
Those who knew Jeanne wished her well upon her retirement in 1994 and were saddened by her death in 1995. A flagpole was erected in her honor during the 60th anniversary of DCCU. In addition, employee recognition awards have been aptly named the Jeanne Andrews Service Award to recognize future service leaders in the credit union movement.
Rose Marie Baker has dedicated her life to the credit union movement. She is a charter member of the Sacred Heart Credit Union and has been a member for the last 50 years. Baker served on the supervisory committee for 30 years and as secretary for 10 years.
In addition to her involvement in her parish credit union, she also gave zealously of her time as a charter member of the Springfield City Credit Union. She was board chair for 10 years. Baker holds the distinction of being the first woman elected as president of the Sangamon Valley Chapter, a post she held for one year.
Not only is Rose Marie dedicated to the credit union movement, she is also highly regarded in Springfield. Upon her retirement as secretary to the Chief of Police for 38 years, she received the coveted “Key to the City” Award.
People who know Rose Marie talk about her civic pride and credit union zeal. It is truly an honor to include Rose Marie Baker for induction into the prestigious Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame as a charter member.
Betty Belker is an individual who has dedicated her life to the credit union movement for the past forty years. She has served the members of United Industries Credit Union and others in the Quincy area.
Belker was the president and treasurer of United Industries Credit Union in Quincy and a director there for 39 years. Betty was also a director of the Quincy Chapter and served as a director for the Illinois Credit Union League for a decade.
If a poll were taken to determine what special qualities have been observed about Betty, it would be difficult to quantify the impact of her constant efforts to serve her members. Belker is a leader in the Quincy area, who radiates the credit union philosophy into all of the credit unions she touches.
Betty has uncompromising integrity and has always been there to help others achieve and succeed in promoting the credit union movement. In Quincy, she has already been recognized for her leadership abilities as a recipient of the Chapter Leader’s Award. It is an honor to induct Betty Belker into the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Richard Boyle rightly deserves a place of honor as a pioneer in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame. Richard spent more than 30 years of his life guaranteeing a better quality of life to his fellow workers.
This was no easy task…he had no “special” office. What he had was much more important! Richard had pure dedication and a sense that what he did for the people he knew would make a difference in their daily lives.
Beginning in the early 1930’s and continuing until shortly before his death in the 1960’s, Boyle and his spouse Elizabeth (Bessie) opened their home to members. They took care of savings deposits, withdrawals and loan applications. Once a week, Bessie rode the streetcar uptown to invest the deposits and loan payments in a local bank. Everyone benefited by their special partnership!
Why would anyone open up a home to run a financial business? Clearly Richard Boyle recognized the need for helping his fellow workers. His vision led him to action during a time when the country was in serious financial condition.
As CEO of the Big Four Credit Union in Mattoon, the first credit union organized in the chapter, Boyle exemplified the philosophy of people helping people. We are pleased to honor the memory of this special person.
Terry Brahm has served DHCU Community Credit Union (formerly Deere Harvester CU) for 44 years. Starting out as a loan officer in 1970, Terry rose through the ranks to become CEO in 1976. Under Terry’s leadership the credit union grew from 7500 to 41,000 members and from $17 million to $475 million in assets, including eight branches and a community charter.
In addition to overseeing the development and implementation of new services for the members, Terry also felt the need to represent the credit union movement by serving on various related boards and community organizations, including CUPAC, the Quad Cities Better Business Bureau, the Revitalize and Development East Moline Committee and the Regional Opportunities Council of the Quad Cities. He was twice named the Illinois CUES Executive of the Year.
In addition, Terry earned the 2012 Quad Cities Small Business of the Year Award, is a Raddon Financial Group Crystal Performance Award winner and a four-time recipient of the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award.
Over the past three decades Terry has led by embracing technology, encouraging innovation, identifying opportunities and recognizing staff. He has earned the respect of his employees, his Board of Directors, colleagues throughout the state, and most importantly, the members of DHCU Credit Union.
Ron Brantner has more than 30 years experience in the credit union movement. He began his career in 1971 as the manager of the Tribune Employees Credit Union. Ron spent seven years at TECU, taking it from $8 to $12 million in assets. In 1978 he became president of Progress Credit Union in Chicago. Working with Illinois Credit Union League staff, Ron introduced strategic planning to the credit union and saw the credit union grow from $10 to $14 million in assets. In the process, he oversaw two credit union relocations and expanded member services.
Ron is currently CEO at Select Employees Credit Union in Sterling. Once again with the help of the Illinois Credit Union League, Ron introduced the board to long term planning. The credit union is now in the process of moving to larger facilities. He instituted the use of correspondent courses to enrich and educate himself and board members with regard to their duties and responsibilities and understanding the credit union movement. Ron has passed all 18 modules of the Management Enrichment Training Program.
Ron is a strong believer in getting involved. In addition to his many duties as CEO of a credit union, he has always found time to commit to volunteer work. He represented the George J. Tinnes Chapter as league director from 1991 to 1999, serving on the legislative committee for three years. He also served in a variety of chapter positions for the William H. Brietzke Chapter during the 1970s.
In addition to Ron’s long and rich credit union history, he is well known within his community. Ron is an active member of the Sterling-Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce, serving on several committees. He is a consultant for the Quad Cities Junior Achievement program and has been named to the Junior Achievement Hall of Fame. He also serves on the Sterling Rock Falls board of United Way. Other community organizations he is involved with include: Your Source for Information, CGH Medical Center Health Foundation, Illinois Crippled Children’s Corporation, Illinois Elks Association, Sterling Community Development Assistance Committee and Sterling T-ball coach.
Other awards Ron has received over the past few years include the Illinois Council of Credit Union Executives Society, Executive of the Year Award for 1990 and 1995 and the 1995 Illinois Credit Union League Spirit of Service Award.
When we think of people who impacted large numbers of credit unions in the state of Illinois and in our nation at large, we automatically remember William Brietzke. He was a human being with many missions all directed at spreading the credit union spirit.
Brietzke held the office of treasurer in the Nobel Street Depot Federal Credit Union and the Chicago Northwest Chapter. This happened quite by accident!
It seems that when Bill was coming off duty from his job as operator, a meeting to organize a new credit union was in progress. Eight of the nine needed directors had already been elected.
At this point “Spongenose” Andrews nominated “Skinny” Brietzke. Bill accepted the nomination reluctantly until the next annual meeting. This same pattern emerged at the organization meeting of the chapter, when he also became one of its first elected officials.
Brietzke served as an Illinois Credit Union League director from 1946 to 1950. He served on the executive committee of the Illinois Credit Union League during those final three years and chaired the 1950 annual meeting.
That same year, Joe DeRamus offered Bill a position at the Illinois Credit Union League as a field representative covering Chicago and its suburbs. Even though this meant a 25% reduction in income, his spouse encouraged him to accept it. She knew that credit unions were his passion. When Bill looked back, he said that: “This was the greatest move I ever made in my life.”
Brietzke was well known for his impact at the state level. While employed by the league, he was responsible for helping to organize 370 credit unions beginning in 1950 and ending in 1973. On average he advised 15 new credit unions a year in the United States. He referred to the years of 1950 through 1956 as the Golden Era for organizing credit unions. These efforts were supported with national advertising in magazines and on the radio with Gabriel Heatter.
In 1955 Joe DeRamus left the league due to an illness. The league board elected Brietzke as managing director of the league, a position he held from 1956 to 1973. During those years, he increased the number of field representatives from three to twelve. Brietzke witnessed the signing of the Omnibus Bill by President Johnson amending the Federal Credit Union Act on December 13, 1967.
Brietzke had a global orientation long before it was fashionable. He sensed the importance of studying the credit union movement overseas. To accomplish this, Brietzke and other notables recommended the formation of the World Extension Department of CUNA in 1957, now known as the World Council of Credit Unions.
Their foresight gave credit unions an edge over other financial organizations in countries like Poland and Yugoslavia. This is why credit unions have a strong presence in these evolving countries and others.
Brietzke was largely responsible for initiating various publications at the Illinois Credit Union League. It was under his direction that the league authored and published manuals regarding every facet of credit union operations.
We honor this long-time pioneer in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame. Brietzke will always be remembered as a compassionate human being with a winning smile. He had a sincere handshake and demonstrated a special fondness for the importance of the field.
Jim Bright served as CEO of Scott Credit Union from 1983 until his untimely death in 2005. For all those who knew Jim, his passing came way too soon. His leadership of Scott Credit Union for over two decades was greatly admired and appreciated by his peers, community leaders, staff and members. His attention to detail was legendary – he was an extraordinary problem solver. He left a solid career in the banking industry to take over a small credit union located on Scott Air Force base. At that time, Scott had two offices and less than $50 million in assets. Under his leadership and vision, the credit union grew to nine offices ands over $355 million in assets.
Jim Bright also whole heartedly supported the U.S. military. He was involved with the James S. McDonnell USO Board of Directors, the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois Board of Directors, the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois Military Affairs Committee, the Defense Credit Union Council where he served a term as Chairman, the Midwest Defense Credit Union Sub council, again serving a term as Chairman.
Jim lent his considerable talents and leadership skills to the credit union movement through various organizations such as Chairman of the Southern Illinois Chapter, President of the St. Louis Credit Union Management Association and Chairman of the Credit Committee for Members United Corporae Federal Credit Union.
In addition, was actively involved in legislative issues facing credit unions and was an active advocate of the Credit Union {Political Action Council. In 1992 he was named the Credit Union Executive of the Year by the Illinois Council of Credit Union Executive Society. He also was honored by his staff, peers and community organizations with an ICU Foundation commemorative scholarship in his name.
Jim has left a lasting legacy of commitment to the credit union movement and his memory will live forever.
Geri Burek has devoted more than 36 years of her life to the credit union movement. Beginning in 1981 as manager of Greyhound ECU to today where she is CE of South Division CU, Geri has demonstrated her leadership skills, volunteerism, community service and dedication to the credit union movement through multiple channels.
Geri has devoted her time and energy to serving the movement both in Illinois and nationally. She served on the League board for thirteen years including two as Chairman, the ICU Foundation and CUPAC and LSC boards, Illinois CUES, and various leadership positions for the Brietzke, Southeast and Chicago Metro Chapters. Geri has also served as a CUNA director and a member of numerous World Council of Credit Union committees.
She started one of the first student branches at Brother Rice High School where she also participated in teaching financial literacy classes and reality fairs. She arranged to have Ernie Banks join the students to share his stories of financial failure and success. Brother Rice sponsored a “Toons Contest” to promote “Teens and Smart Money Management” resulting in the publishing of the “Marbles” school newspaper.
Throughout her career Geri has earned numerous accolades, including CUES Executive of the Year 2004, and multiple times for the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility and Desjardins Youth Finnacial Literacy awards. Geri graduated from CUNA Management School in 1983 and was one of the first to be designated as a Certified Credit Union Executive. She was also named Business Person of the Year by the Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce.
Geri is an avid fundraiser for both the ICU Foundation and CUPAC. She started the annual Women’s Golf Outing to raise funds for CUPAC which generated over $280,000 during its 20 year run.
In addition to her extensive credit union related activities, Geri has also served as an elected community representative for the Chicago Public Schools, a Palos Heights library trustee and is a certified WAGS therapy dog volunteer at Palos Community Hospital. In her spare time she also participates in numerous fundraisers for local and national charitable organizations.
Geri’s leadership and involvement with credit unions at all levels are evident in her professional and personal achievements. Her desire to help others without ever asking for anything in return along with her years of dedication and hard work on behalf of the credit union movement are what makes Geri an inductee into the Credit Union Hall of Fame.
George Burnett had a major impact on the credit union movement in central and southern Illinois. Since 1977, the Alton Wood Chapter bears his name.
Burnett was the treasurer and general manager of the Olin Employees Credit Union for 32 years and a director emeritus for 12 years. George was a league director for 25 years and served as a CUNA national director. Burnett was president of the Illinois Credit Union League from 1957 to 1959. At various times, he also held all chair positions within his own chapter.
Before the creation of Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union, George’s business acumen helped solve cash flow needs at many credit unions. He set up a program through the Olin Employees Credit Union to provide the needed funding. Burnett was an individual who knew how to take action to help other people.
His enthusiasm knew few bounds. George served his community by being a trustee of the village of East Alton for several years. He also held a board position on the Credit Bureau of Alton.
One of the best tributes to Burnett lies in the fact that many credit unions within central and southern Illinois exist today because his vision made it possible. George truly belongs in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Ray Cannon possessed the credit union spirit. He took an application for a credit union charter just one day after a doctor told him he was incurably ill!
As a volunteer in the late 1930’s, Cannon organized several Chicago surface line credit unions. Cannon was a director of the Metropolitan “L” Credit Union for 15 years and served as treasurer from 1941 to 1952. Subsequently, he joined the league as a field representative in 1952.
Cannon worked primarily on the south side of Chicago among minority groups and soon gained a citywide reputation as a person who truly believed in the ideals of a credit union. He was an effective organizer who loved the challenge of selling groups on the credit union concept. During the last five years of his life, he was responsible for bringing on board 150 credit unions.
Generally, these credit unions were small and community based, not company-sponsored. Many required a labor of love to stay viable. Cannon gave tirelessly of his time and talents, earning a reputation as an ethical individual who was respected by all who knew him.
He is a past-president of the West Suburban Chapter that changed its name to the Charles R. Cannon Chapter. Cannon lived in Oak Park and died at Chicago Presbyterian Hospital at the age of 55. We honor his memory and his efforts today in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Frank Citro, Sr. spent more than 40 years practicing the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People”. He contributed 25 cents to Chicago Federal Credit Union in May 1960 to become its first member and treasurer. He even granted the credit union’s first loan of $100.
C F Federal Credit Union was originally chartered to serve the employees of Consolidated Freightways trucking company and loans were handwritten or completed on a typewriter. The credit union’s first financial statement indicated assets of $32.25.
As Consolidated Freightways grew so too did the credit union. Frank Citro, a truck driver himself, volunteered evenings after work to run the credit union. He also recruited his wife to assist with hand posting each account. Upon retiring after 31 years of driving, Frank Citro knew he wanted to do work for the credit union.
Four decades later Frank Citro is still treasurer of the credit union. He has retired from running the daily operations of the credit union, but remains an integral part of setting the strategic direction for the credit union. He is currently involved in overseeing the construction of a new 3,000 square foot facility to provide easier access for members. Today the credit union has more than 2,500 members and $7.2 million in assets and offers a wide array of financial services. The credit union has also changed its name to Condolidated Financial Federal Credit Union.
Pioneers like Frank are one of the reasons the credit union movement has remained unique in the highly competitive world of financial services. Frank is a highly motivated and dedicated individual who saw a need for a credit union and did something about it. Forty years later, he is still doing something about it. Frank’s love for the credit union movement and his desire to help his fellow man make him an excellent choice for induction into the Hall of Fame.
Janice Dempsey is a true pioneer in the credit union movement. Clearly, the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame is fortunate to have her among its first entrants.
Frequently, Janice is touted as the first woman to hold the post of chair of the Illinois Credit Union League in 58 years. She was the first person in Illinois to receive the Certified Credit Union Executive designation. This remarkable individual has earned her place among those who have inspired legions in the credit union movement. Dempsey’s accomplishments did not begin or end there.
Notably, Dempsey began her involvement with credit unions in 1961 as a part-time volunteer in the credit union office. From 1964 to 1969 she was the treasurer and manager of Broadview Harvester Federal Credit Union. Janice then became chief executive officer of Dynamic Credit Union, where she still leads others today.
Since the sixties, Janice has been active in chapter activities serving as secretary, chair, policy owner representative and league director. Dempsey was honored in 1988 as the Illinois Council and Credit Union Executive Society Executive of the Year.
Janice has also spent many long hours in night school because she valued a formal education. She graduated from CUNA School, attended the College of DuPage and the Keller Graduate School of Management. Dempsey realized her goal in 1989 when she received a BA in Applied Behavioral Sciences from the National College of Education.
Dempsey’s involvement in credit unions has been so extensive that a separate volume might not cover every benchmark. She has served on many committees at the state and national level. Since 1987, Janice has been a CUNA national director. She also served on the executive committee of the Illinois Credit Union League and as a director at Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union.
Those outside the credit union movement also recognize her zeal. Janice is active in her local chamber of commerce. During her tenure as league chair, she completed the famous Bicycle Across the Magnificent Miles of Illinois ride. Her zest for life is apparent to all who have the pleasure of knowing and working with her.
The Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame would not be complete without remembering Joseph DeRamus. Before his death at the age of 87, he spent over 50 years as a catalyst for action in the credit union movement.
DeRamus is an example of what can be accomplished with a lot of personal effort and limited financial resources. His early years were spent working for the Rock Island Railroad until the depression forced him to leave. Many early credit unions in Illinois were organized by employees of the railroads. DeRamus was persuaded to take on the challenge of the struggling Illinois Credit Union League as the first managing director in 1932.
Cost-cutting measures he instituted included sending his family to Michigan to their cottage and using a cot in the office as his resting place. Little of his time was spent on the cot! Instead he could be seen walking the streets of Chicago or riding public transportation. Cars and cabs were not in his stringent budget. DeRamus’ efforts paid off.
There were 98 credit unions and 20,000 credit union members when DeRamus embarked on his mission. When he retired, there were 1400 credit unions and 650,000 members. While a league employee, he personally organized more than 600 credit unions, achieving a long-standing record that exceeded 100 credit unions in a single year!
DeRamus was paid a mere $100 a month when he was hired and got a fifty-dollar-a-month raise after two-and-a-half years. This difference made it possible for his family to move back to Chicago. DeRamus reported to Tim O’Shaughnessy. In reflecting upon his boss, DeRamus described an individual who ran the show with an iron hand. Even with his outstanding results, DeRamus was required to report to his boss in person or by phone at 5:00 p.m., no matter what! These beginnings could not have predicted his retirement in 1955 with an annual pension of $6,000 a year for life.
With all of the work DeRamus did for the credit union movement, it is amazing that he had any free time. He could be spotted on the golf course with his distinctive cross-handed grip scoring in the low 70’s. Here was a human being who excelled in many playing fields.
Joseph DeRamus was an extraordinary person and a great credit union pioneer. He was respected by credit union people and often envied by managing directors in other states. DeRamus was an inspiration and a force that resulted in Illinois becoming the acknowledged leader with the highest number of credit unions, having the largest number of members and greatest shares, loans and assets.
DeRamus had a lending philosophy based on people helping people. He believed that a loan decision should focus on the strength of a person’s character over their known collateral.
On the national scene, DeRamus helped to organize the Credit Union National Association in 1934 at Estes, Colorado. The Credit Union National Extension Bureau paid his expenses to the meeting as a reward for establishing so many credit unions in Illinois. His boss O’Shaughnessy opposed the proposed by-laws and drafted his own. This was the beginning of a power shift.
At the annual meeting in 1935, the board voted DeRamus as managing director even though O’Shaughnessy had been assuming that role without the official title for several years. O’Shaughnessy made every effort to have this overthrown at the fall session, but the motion passed again reconfirming DeRamus. This made it possible for Illinois to fully support CUNA.
DeRamus served as a director of CUNA Mutual Insurance for over 25 years. Joe succeeded Edward A. Filene after his death and boasted that he never missed a board meeting. Upon his retirement in 1962, he was elected an honorary board member and had the privilege of attending all board meetings with expenses paid.
DeRamus was a staunch supporter of advertising and voted to have a national program financed by the society. Both print and radio spots were run for two years. This resulted in additional credit unions being formed and many more people gaining exposure to the services available to members. It marked a new era in the development of the credit union movement.
A person of many talents, DeRamus excelled in several unrelated fields. Although he was a trained concert violinist, he suddenly stopped playing when a romance went awry. He was a poet who expressed his guarded feelings freely there. In his poem entitled Home, he pens “It took a lot of roaming through the land Before I came to know and understand A loved one’s tears.” This undoubtedly included the miles traveled as editor for the railroad magazine and the miles walked to inspire the formation of credit unions.
DeRamus was a credit union pioneer with a zeal that will always be remembered. We are proud to honor his memory. We recall his achievements upon his inauguration into the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Thomas Doig was one of the true pioneers in the credit union movement in this country. Doig helped many other leaders in Illinois to achieve extraordinary results for the advancement of credit unions. The Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame would not be complete without remembering the contributions of this great human being.
Doig was a postal employee in Minneapolis in 1923 when he first became involved with the movement. He played an integral part in organizing the Minneapolis Postal Employees Credit Union, the first credit union in Minnesota. Doig served as its first treasurer and manager.
In 1925 Doig had taken a leadership role in getting the credit union law passed in Minnesota. Later he was a catalyst for the inception and realization of the Minnesota Credit Union League, the first self-sustaining league in the United States.
Five years later, Doig became Roy Bergengren’s assistant in the Credit Union National Extension Bureau. He was hired specifically to help five states in the Midwest, including Illinois, organize more credit unions and state leagues. The Thomas W. Doig Chapter was so named in northern Illinois to commemorate Doig’s laudable efforts in this state.
Doig helped draft the CUNA Constitution. In 1935 he was named assistant managing director. A decade later he succeeded Bergengren as managing director until he retired shortly before his death.
Thomas Doig died on December 19, 1955 after a lengthy illness. He accomplished many things in his lifetime including the organization of over one thousand credit unions. During World War II he was an appointed advisor on consumer credit to the Federal Reserve Board.
Doig had worked his way through business school and served in the army during World War I. St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, NS gave him an honorary Doctor of Law Degree. We honor him today in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame as a true credit union pioneer.
Mac Dunaway is the CEO of Land of Lincoln Credit Union in Decatur, and has been with the credit union for 43 years.
From a credit union that almost died in 1961 when its then-sponsor Virginia Signal Depot moved out-of-state, Mac has grown it into a 30,000 member, $210 million credit union that focuses on member education, financial literacy and outstanding service.
Mac is revered by his staff who sent numerous testimonials on his behalf to bolster his nomination to the Hall of Fame. They have been energized by his kindness, his belief in their abilities, and his inspiration. He has guided them on their path to success both personally and professionally. The staff and members believe that the credit union is the “house that Mac built”.
Mac’s 43 years of invention, innovation and ability to weather change is what has made Land of Lincoln Credit Union the success story it is today. His motto “Move forward, don’t give up and keep growing” are the principles that guide him and keep staff motivated.
Mac Dunaway is the embodiment of the credit union philosophy. He has made a lasting impression on the credit union, his staff, and community that will long be remembered throughout the credit union movement.
Tory has dedicated her time and energy to the Credit Union Movement to make the lives of her members and community a better place to live. She has been a mentor to numerous smaller credit unions in her area as well as others who have come in contact with her through Chapter League functions. She organized Peoria chapter credit union visits to help small credit union staffs and their boards to be better informed and involved and Tory has been available to step in and help a credit union with issues or questions. Tory is the epitome of the credit union philosophy, “People Helping People.”
Tory has been a wonderful supporter or CUPAC, the Foundation, Hike the Hill, Legislative Days, GAC, and a staunch advocate for all Credit Unions regardless of size. She was instrumental in forming the first Network Credit Union in Illinois and has gained the admiration of her peers and colleagues. Her numerous years of hard work and dedication to her Credit Union at all levels reflects the type of enthusiastic and motivated individual everyone has come to know and respect.
We are privileged to honor Alan Ekberg, director of Rockford Postal Employees Credit Union. He started his career there in 1964 keeping records by hand in his own home. Ekberg has served on countless credit union committees and as treasurer. His leadership at the credit union was felt in countless ways.
Alan’s actions demonstrate the credit union philosophy of people helping people. Ekberg personally assisted three families to better manage their finances and pay down their debts within two years. He was always there for his members and would go out of his way to assist whenever possible.
Ekberg was also willing to get involved in politics when called upon. He participated in many candidate interviews, CUPAC fundraisers and legislative night activities to promote credit unions among the legislature. His political action efforts on behalf of credit unions are noteworthy.
Ekberg was an active participant on the H. O. Perlee Chapter board for many years. He was the chapter president in 1987 and 1988. In addition to his chapter activities, he also served as a member of the Illinois Credit Union League board from 1987 through 1994.
The community also benefited from Alan’s efforts. Many organizations in Rockford have been the recipients of his generosity. He is very active with the YMCA, MELD (Mothers Establishing Life’s Direction), the Rockford Mutual Benefit Association and his church. Because of his interest in helping people, being a proponent of credit unions was natural for Ekberg.
We appreciate all of the hard work, caring and dedication of Alan Ekberg. We welcome him into the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Richard Ensweiler has been involved with credit unions his entire adult life. He began his career as a credit union teller. Following graduation from college he quickly progressed to manager roles, including a manager trainee position at State Central Credit Union and then manager at Harley-Davidson Credit Union, both in Wisconsin. Dick moved from credit unions to the League environment when he was hired as a field consultant at the Michigan League.
Dick then moved to the Minnesota League as CEO. In 1974 he was hired as the Illinois Credit Union League’s president. He was CEO of the Illinois League until 1984 when he left to become a Senior Vice President at CUNA Mutual. In 1995 Dick left CUNA Mutual to become CEO of the Texas Credit Union League. Dick is still acting in that capacity and is a CUNA board member. He also led CUNA as its Chair for two years and served as chairman of the Association of Credit Union League Executives.
As President of the Illinois League, Dick led the board in its first ever-strategic planning sessions. Dick expanded the services of the League Service Corporation, started its collection agency and a marketing service. He also hired the League’s first lobbyist, spearheaded the formation of CUPAC and the ICU Foundation and presided over a major rewrite of the Illinois Credit Union Act. Dick was responsible for formalizing operations for the Legal & Technical Services and Human Resources Development.
Dick spent a great deal of his time as CEO of the Illinois Credit Union League building up relationships between credit unions and legislators through the Legislative Forum, League publications and the media.
Dick also brought the principles of Management by Objective to the League, which increased staff accountability, personnel development, education and training programs and long range planning.
Dick had a hand in founding the Illinois Youth Involvement Council as a way to develop future leaders within the movement.
The League’s move from Bensenville to Oak Brook to provide more space was also orchestrated and presided over by Dick in response to the growth in services ands products offered by the League and Service Corporation.
During Dick’s tenure he was also responsible for the formation of Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union, now Members United Corporate FCU where he was a charter member in 1976. In addition to serving as President of Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union, he also served as Chairman of U.S. Central Credit Union from 1982-1984.
Dick changed the way the League operated, created new and exciting programs, added professional staff and ramped up services. His decision to hire the first general counsel for the League also led to the appointment of its next CEO, Dan Plauda. Dick’s dynamic personality and personal involvement with the Illinois credit union movement, League staff and board members, legislators and the national scene can be credited with bringing the League into the modern era of the credit union movement.
Clay Feldman takes his place among those we honor in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame inductees. He will always be remembered for so many accomplishments within the credit union movement and beyond. Clay is a person who truly loves and respects people of all ages.
Feldman was born in Kentucky and is married to his wife Lenore for more than 50 years. He worked for Keystone Steel and Wire for nearly 26 years. Feldman retired from Redbrand Credit Union after serving its members for 22 years. Clay graduated from CUNA Management School.
Among credit union distinctions, Clay was one of the organizers of the Redbrand Credit Union in 1952. He served on the board of the Peoria Chapter for 21 years.
Feldman was a director of the Illinois Credit Union League for 21 years and a past-president. He was a CUNA director and a member of the NCUMA committee for two years.
In addition to his passion for helping adults, he dedicated his life to helping little people too. Clay schedules daily trips to the Shriners Hospital for local children.
He is a 50-year member of the Verlin M. Showalter Masonic Lodge #1172. Clay was a director of the Peoria Credit Counseling Service and past-president of the Peoria Toastmasters Club. He has led the way through speeches and action.
Wally Felt put in just over 32 years as an employee of the Illinois Credit Union League. Throughout that time, he organized 152 credit unions. Many of those credit unions were organized in high schools districts in Northern Cook County including Leyden Schools, District 103 School Employees, Lyons Township High School and Junior College, University Staff – University of Chicago, New Trier High School, Niles Township High School and Maine Township High School.
In 1984 Wally was one of four U.S. League employees nationwide sent to Great Britain to assist in the liquidation of eight insolvent credit unions and investigate how to organize credit unions within British industries.
As a League employee, hired by Joe DeRamus, Wally began as a credit union accounting expert. He later became a Field Representative. In his position as a Field Rep, Wally assisted credit unions with bookkeeping problems, conducted workshops and seminars, served as a host for foreign dignitaries visiting Illinois credit unions and was Chairman of the Regional League Representatives Training Conference.
Following his retirement from the League, Wally kept involved in the credit union movement by performing annual audits for Supervisory Committees at many credit unions throughout northern Illinois. Wally holds the CCUE designation, has been an active volunteer at his church, was a board member at the Franklin Park Public Schools District for 10 years and has been a member of Gideons International for 25 years. Wally was married for 47 years at the time of his wife Marian’s death.
Wally has an impressive list of lifetime accomplishments on behalf of the credit union movement. He is truly deserving of induction into the Hall of Fame.
For over thirty years, John Fiore has devoted his life to the credit union movement. As CEO of Motorola Employees Credit Union, John oversees a full-service credit union with more than $300 million in assets and 50,000 members. In addition to his duties at Motorola, John has contributed countless hours to the Illinois Credit Union League, the Northern Cook County Chapter, the ICU Foundation, the Illinois Credit Union Executives Society, the national Credit Union Foundation and the CUNA board where he served as a director during its Renewal project.
John’s list of accomplishments and achievements is impressive. He currently is serving as the league director from the Northern Cook County Chapter, a position he has held since 1989, serving as chairman from 1994 to 1996. John has been a member of the ICU Foundation board since 1987, serving as chairman from 1989 to 1991. He is also a member of the board of the national Credit Union Foundation, is president of Illinois CUES and serves as chairman of Card Services for Credit Unions, a credit-card trade association.
In addition to his many volunteer credit union activities, John was named the Credit Union Executive of the Year by the Illinois Credit Union Executives Society in 1995, received the Motorola CEO Certificate for Volunteerism in 1992 and 1993 and was awarded the Illinois Credit Union System’s Spirit of Service — Employee of the Year Award in 1999.
In his spare time, John has devoted many hours to raising funds for programs such as “Teddy Bears for Kids” and the Children’s Miracle Network “Credit Unions for Kids” programs. He is in great demand as an auctioneer for state, national and chapter events organized to raise money for these causes.
John’s leadership and involvement at all levels of the credit union movement are evident in his many professional and personal achievements. But it is his desire to help others, to lend a hand when necessary, to share his expertise and commitment to the credit union movement that make John such a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame.
Janet Francoeur has more than earned her place in the Credit Union Hall of Fame for her lifetime achievements. For nearly 22 years she has served the Kankakee Valley Chapter of Credit Unions holding the positions of Secretary, Treasurer and Chairman at various times. She has volunteered to work at chapter community involvement projects including Child Safety Days, Shred Days, the Salvation Army food drives and identity theft seminars. Janet’s hard work and dedication has helped make the Kankakee Chapter well known and respected throughout the community.
Jan has also devoted the last seventeen years to helping make the Illinois Credit Union League and the ICUL Service Corporation national leaders within the credit union movement. Jan has served on the board of the League in various capacities, including Secretary/Treasurer and Chairman. She is one of only a handful of women ever serving in the position of Chairman. Janet has chaired the annual convention committee, served on the CUSG committee, the Executive Committee and the Legislative Committee. She is currently also a board member of the ICU Foundation In each of these roles Janet has served with pride, enthusiasm and dedication, all of which may be attributed to a strong leader.
Jan has also worked hard to make life better for credit union members in her community. She has worked for Riverside Community Credit Union in Kankakee for 23 years as CEO. She led the way for the credit union to receive a community charter thereby extending the credit union’s ability to serve more people. Jan further promotes the “people helping people” philosophy of credit union by leading Riverside Community Credit Union in providing fundraising assistance to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Cystic Fibrosis, the Arthritis Foundation, the Children’s Miracle Network and the Bradley-Bourbonnais Chamber of Commerce.
In all areas of her life, both professional and person, Jan exemplifies strong leadership, commitment ands dedication to helping her members, the community at large and the Illinois Credit Union League and its affiliates. She leads by example and is greatly admired by all those who have been touched by her.
Mike Frye, dedicated his entire adult life to further the credit union movement in Illinois. During his thirty-eight years as a Director of Midwest Members Credit Union, he placed its growth and that of other credit unions at the top of his personal agenda. This love for his credit union lead to his appointment as Chairman and during his twenty-nine years as Chairman, the credit union grew membership to over 17,600 members and assets to more than $125 million.
Mike was elected to the CUPAC Board of Directors in 2006 and served as its Treasurer for one year. His interest and knowledge of political matters impacting credit unions was a great asset to the Board during his tenure. He worked tirelessly to ensure credit union issues were brought to the attention of local, state and federal officials. He personally lobbied on behalf of his credit union membership and all Illinois credit unions at the GAC, Hike-The-Hill in D.C., and Legislative Days in Springfield. Mike was a passionate spokesman for credit unions as a clear and better alternative to banks.
Penni Gebke has been employed as a Regional Manager for the Illinois Credit Union League since 1983. Throughout that time she has devoted her entire work career and a large part of her personal time to assisting credit unions and chapters to succeed. Penni is not only a tireless worker attending credit union board meetings, conducting planning sessions, helping out at chapter fundraisers, golf outings and meetings, she is also a friend and leader. Penni always goes the distance to help out her credit unions and chapters. She is encouraging, helpful and provides knowledgeable advice on products, services, grants, scholarships and anything else one might need.
Penni has a larger than life personality that is reflected in all that she does. She even started a credit union chapter of the Red Hat Ladies in the year 2000. This group was named the “CU In Red” and only women involved in the credit union movement could participate. As in everything Penni does, this club emphasized friendship, compassion, credit union philosophy and fun.
Penni has served as an inspiration to all in the credit union movement, but most especially to the women coming up in the movement. From her days as a Youth Involvement Rep, credit union CEO, chapter leader and League employee, Penni has seen and done it all and along the way has managed to share her wisdom, knowledge, friendship and joy of life with all those she has touched.
Always willing to serve has been the credo of Wayne Green. This is especially true when it comes to the credit union movement. Wayne has spent more than a quarter of this century serving on boards at credit unions. It would be hard to remember a time when his name was not synonymous with Knox College Credit Union and the Galesburg Chapter.
As a professor of physics, Green would not dispute the theory that for every action, there is a reaction. This is certainly true when we view his dedication to credit unions, education and his church.
Wayne was named a charter member of Knox College Credit Union, where he was an integral part of the board for over 20 years. During that time he served as chair or president for nearly 14 years and treasurer for two years. Simultaneously, he served on the board of the current Galesburg Midwest Credit Union for six years. It would be difficult to calculate the number of volunteer hours this represents. It is equally challenging to measure all of his dedicated service to credit union members at the college and within the Galesburg community.
Green also took an active role at the chapter level. He chaired numerous committees and served as president, and first, second and third vice president. The Galesburg Chapter of Credit Unions has benefited by his credit union zeal.
Green retired as a professor of physics from Knox College in 1989 after 36 years at the college. During the seventies he had the added duties of registrar.
His devotion to education caused Green to become active at the board level in several organizations. These include: Carl Sandburg Community College, the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, the Illinois Science Teachers Association and the American Association of Physics Teachers. In the latter two associations, he has been honored with distinguished service awards.
Never a person to become a “body at rest,” Green also gives tirelessly to his church. He has served on the governing board for 15 years and held the position of clerk for 10 years. We are proud to include Wayne Green in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Marion Gregory and the credit union movement were synonymous for 53 years. During those years, Gregory made many contributions at local, state and national levels.
In February of 1971 it was only natural that President Richard M. Nixon named Gregory to serve a six-year term on the NCUA board where he was vice chair. Gregory summed up his philosophy and belief about the movement with this statement: “The primary job of CUNA and the leagues is to build the credit union movement and to spread credit union services to those who want and need them. Legislation is their second job.”
Gregory was the first league director from outside the Chicago area representing the East St. Louis Chapter. He was the treasurer and manager of Arrow S Credit Union and the employee manager of Swift and Company National Stockyards Plant. Gregory was an organizer and first president of the Southern Illinois Chapter from 1937 to 1938. In 1944 he became chair of the Illinois Credit Union League, serving a three-year term.
From 1939 to 1953 Gregory served as a CUNA national director and was the chair during the last two years. While he was chair, he met with Hough and Cooper, the state auditors, to discuss the possibility of FDIC insurance for credit unions. Credit unions would use their own capital. Gregory reported at the September executive committee meeting in 1952 that he thought it was possible to accomplish. He felt it would be better to have credit unions control the fund, not the federal government.
The following year, Gregory was hired by Thomas W. Doig as the CUNA public relations director. He was named the director of policy owner relations for CUNA Mutual in 1955.
Gregory retired in December of 1971 as senior vice president of CUNA Mutual Insurance Society. At the age of 79, he died of cancer, a great loss to the credit union movement. We honor his memory in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Dennis Hall has been with the IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union for over 28 years. He began his career at the credit union in 1987 as Comptroller, then moved up to VP of Finance and was promoted to CEO in 1997. Under his leadership the credit union grew from 45,000 to 120,000 members and from $245 million to almost $1 billion in assets with eighteen branches.
In addition to growing the credit union, Dennis has served on the Illinois Quad Cities Chapter board in various positions from 1999 to 2000. In 2000 he was elected to the Illinois Credit Union League board where he served for twelve years, including as Chairman from 2011-2012. In 2012 he was appointed to the LSC Board, a position he still holds.
Dennis’ strong commitment to the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” is evident in his desire to help other credit unions achieve their goals. During 2008 when the corporate credit union meltdown caused a crisis for many credit unions, Dennis reached out to the small credit unions in his area and offered to extend services to them in the same capacity as their corporates had been doing. Many took him up on his offer and are still utilizing the services of the IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union in a number of ways to serve their own members. He offers these small credit unions an opportunity to take advantage of services, training and networking they might not otherwise have.
Dennis also is involved with his community and believes in leading by example. He has served on a number of community organizations including, Junior Achievement, United Way, the Better Business Bureau and the Regional Opportunities Council of the Quad Cities. In 2013 Dennis volunteered as a guardian on an Honor Flight taking veterans to Washington, D.C.
Dennis has received many well deserved accolades throughout his career, such as 2005 Executive of the Year by the Illinois CUES Council and the 2013 Integrity Award presented by the Better Business Bureau of the Quad Cities.
Dennis is a true example of a credit union leader. He is always there for his staff, board, members, credit unions and the community. He has dedicated half of his life to the credit union movement to ensure that members will always have a place to conduct their financial business that makes them feel safe, respected and valued. The same way they feel about him.
As executive vice president and chief administrative officer of the Illinois Credit Union League, Richard Heath is well known in the credit union movement. Before he became an executive at the league, he had already devoted over 30 years of his professional life to the credit union movement.
Just prior to joining the league, Heath was vice president of finance and administration for United Airlines Employees Credit Union. As the largest credit union in the state and one of the largest in the nation, Heath had the responsibility for serving many credit union members. No doubt many local credit unions sought his advice because of his expertise.
During Heath’s career he served as a director of CUNA, the Illinois Credit Union League, the ICUL Service Corp. and Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union. He also served as board chair of the Illinois Credit Union League, the ICUL Service Corp. and Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union.
In his earlier years, Heath served as president of the Northern Cook County Chapter from 1975 to 1976. Heath also served as vice president, president and director during his years at the Airline Credit Union Education Association.
Before his credit union involvement, Heath volunteered in his community. He was a cubmaster with the Boy Scouts, a director for the American Cancer Society and president of the Elk Grove Festival Chorus. We welcome such an outstanding person into the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Merritt Hedden spent more than 25 years of his life in service to the credit union movement. He began his career as volunteer board member at Scott Credit Union in Belleville while serving as a “Top GunÆ in the United States Air Force. Upon his retirement as a colonel in 1977, he became president/treasurer of Scott Credit Union. While at Scott, he graduated from CUNA Management School and completed the Certified Credit Union Executive Program. In 1980 and 1991 he was honored as the Illinois Council, Credit Union Executive Society, Executive of the Year.
In 1983 Merritt was hired by the struggling Earthmovers Credit Union of Joliet. The Caterpillar credit union was hit hard by the economic downturn experienced by its sponsor. The $32-million credit union lost more than half of its members, nearly 2/3 of its assets and had negative undivided earnings. The credit union was saved, in large part, by Merritt’s aggressive program of moving the credit union off-site, pursing select employee groups and expanding services. The credit union was eventually renamed Members Equity. In 1996 Members Equity merged with Dynamic Credit Union, creating the $82-million, 23,000-member NuMark Credit Union. Merritt retired from NuMark Credit Union in 1997 after serving as CEO for 14 years.
Merritt’s dedication to credit unions also took on state and national significance. He served a member of the Governor’s Credit Union Advisory Council in 1982. He was league director for the Will County Chapter from 1985 until his retirement from the board in 1999. He went through the chairs of the Illinois Credit Union League, serving as chairman from 1988 to 1990. During his tenure as chairman, he led the Illinois delegation in a rally on Capitol Hill to save credit unions’ tax exempt status. That rally was the culmination of Operation Grassroots.
Ted Heffernan has quite a bit of notoriety among his credit union associates. Few can think of Ted and not think “Mr. CUPAC.” Heffernan served on the CUPAC board for more than a decade, often as chair. He made the importance of legislation everyone’s business when it came to protecting the status of credit unions.
Heffernan has spent 53 years of his life helping people help people. He was the treasurer and manager of the Kedzie Avenue Depot Federal Credit Union up until his retirement.
Ted has the honor of having a chapter in his name because of his long affiliation and involvement there. He held every position within the chapter at one time or another.
Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union has benefited by his many voluntary actions. Ted served on the board from 1976 to 1979. He was also an integral part of the credit committee from 1979 to 1990, serving as chair for seven years.
Heffernan was a director of the Illinois Credit Union League for 32 years. As chair of the planning committee in 1960, he was involved in selecting the Bensenville site after 55 locations had been considered. He served as chair from 1971 to 1973.
On the national front, Ted was an alternate director from 1969 to 1981. During his lengthy career, Heffernan embraced almost every office. He is held in great esteem by many involved in the credit union movement. Ted Heffernan is truly an individual who belongs in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
“I believe that a busy man is a happy man and the knowledge, skills and talents acquired during a successful career, if not used in public service at the end of a successful career, is a gross waste of human resources in a society in which there is so much work to be done. I enjoy being referred to by some who know me as ‘the busiest retired man in Tazewell County’.” These are words that expressed the philosophy of Charles E. Hough up until the time of his death.
Charles Hough was very involved with many activities in his lifetime. He gave zealously to the credit union movement while never accepting a penny for any of his time. This is impressive when we consider just how many hours he spent organizing over 20 credit unions. For 32 years he was a director of the Cerelose Credit Union that he helped found. In 1953 Hough organized the Peoria Chapter Credit Union where he served continuously as director and president.
Hough was a director of the Illinois Credit Union League from 1941 to 1959 and chaired both the executive and legislative committees during that time. He served as president from 1949 to 1951.
For over a decade Hough represented Illinois as either a director or alternate in the Credit Union International Association. While a participant, he was also the president of four state districts: Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota.
Governor Ogilvie appointed Charles Hough on May 1, 1969 to the Governor’s Advisory Council. There he served on task forces that included Financial Institutions, Legislative, Local Government and Pollution. Hough had always taken a proactive role in government from the time he attained voting age. He was involved with the Republican Party throughout his adult life holding many positions within the party at local, state and national levels.
Hough was employed for 49 years by Corn Products Company, where he took mandatory retirement in 1967. He had been a supervisor in the financial divisions of the plant. Hough enrolled in business courses at LaSalle Extension University and Bradley University to always keep his knowledge current.
As a lifelong member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, he served in various capacities that included chairing the 110th Anniversary Committee, teaching Sunday School and serving as a trustee.
People in his community also recognized his involvement locally. Hough was an active member of the Pekin Chamber of Commerce, serving on many committees. He also worked with Cub and Boy Scout Troops. Hough chaired the Tazewell County Savings Bond Committee during the Second World War.
Charles Hough will long be remembered for the many lives he touched. He truly is a pioneer to be honored in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Linda Irving began her career at the Illinois Credit Union League in 1977 and was instrumental in helping to formulate its first internal marketing department.
Linda left the League in 1979 and began a new career at Argonne Credit Union. While at Argonne she worked with then General Counsel of the League, Dan Plauda, to charter the Women’s Credit Union Network. This organization was founded to provide support, assistance and networking opportunities for female employees and volunteers at credit unions in Illinois. The Network was formed to develop and enhance leadership and management skills for women in the movement.
Linda became the Operations Manager at KCT Credit Union in 1998 and is still there today where she is currently VP of Administration. She has been responsible for significant contributions to the development, implementation and administration of the credit union’s operation. In addition to her regular duties and responsibilities at KCT, throughout her career Linda also supported credit union advocacy efforts by attending CUNA’s GAC, the League’s Lobby Day, participating in candidate interviews, and fundraising events.
Linda has consistently demonstrated her “people helping people” credit union philosophy by volunteering her time to work with the Aurora and Fox Valley Chapters, the ICU Foundation, the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Reading Literacy Programs and Junior Achievement.
Linda has been a strong leader, mentor and role model for employees at KCT and other organizations. Her record of dedication, perseverance and commitment to KCT and the credit union movement speaks for itself.
In the summer of 1958 the Illinois Credit Union League and the Chicago Urban League joined forces to sponsor a saving for education program that would encourage Afro-American youths to enroll in college and vocational courses. Jackson, chair of St. Edmund’s Church Credit Union on Chicago’s south side, chaired the committee directing the campaign. The next year, the Illinois Credit Union League circulated a brochure called This is a Love Story as a result of this collaboration.
At the age of 87, Jackson was honored at the 20th Annual Breakfast Meeting of St. Edmund’s Church Credit Union. He was recognized for 23 years of service to the credit union and 40 years of service to the credit union movement. Jackson had just retired from the league board where he had been an active member for two decades and was the first black person elected to that body. He helped organize the Morgan Park Co-op Credit Union in 1940.
On November 18, 1986 the Southwest Chicago Chapter voted to change its name to the Seminara-Jackson Chapter to honor two credit union pioneers and friends. At the time Jackson was 93. He died several years later.
We honor the memory of an individual whose dignity and perseverance helped credit union participation among minorities in Chicago. James Jackson truly belongs in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Joyce Jackson has been involved in the credit union movement for over 20 years. Jackson truly belongs among those selected for the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame Award recipients. She has given tirelessly of her time and spirit to a cause she supports wholeheartedly.
As a league director of the Illinois Credit Union System for a decade, Jackson held several offices. Joyce was the first African-American woman to become chair of the Illinois Credit Union League, ICUL Service Corp. and Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union from 1992 to 1994. From 1990 to 1992 she was vice chair and secretary/treasurer in 1989. She also served for many years on the CUPAC board; two as chair because of her outstanding leadership skills.
In addition to these state level responsibilities, Jackson has also been a CUNA national director from 1991 to 1994. She is currently serving as a Deputy Director for the National Credit Union Administration in Washington, DC for a new division concentrating on community-development credit unions.
Joyce felt the credit union spirit initially as a volunteer board member of Michael Reese Hospital Employees Federal Credit Union for seven years. Subsequently, Jackson was named president and treasurer for 13 years while remaining active on committees within the Seminara-Jackson Chapter, especially in legislative areas.
Joyce Jackson is credited with the formation of the Chicago Area Network of Credit Unions in the late 1980’s. There she served as its chair. The group was formed to focus its efforts on extending financial services within limited-income communities. Joyce is a popular and outspoken credit union advocate who represents The Credit Union Movement well.
Rex Johnson has dedicated over 30 years to various activities within the credit union movement. He began his credit union career by managing the Credit Union Division for the Illinois Department of Financial Institutions. Following that position, Rex served as CEO of Baxter Credit Union from 1981 to 1993. In 1986 he won the Illinois Credit Union Executive of the Year Award presented by Illinois CUES.
As CEO of Baxter Credit Union, Rex sought out opportunities to not only help his own credit union grow, but to assist others as well. He created and shared programs to reduce delinquencies, grow loan portfolios, motivate staff, create a sales culture and reduce loan approval times.
Rex combined his technical skills with an energizing and engaging style that clicked with credit union professionals. He was in demand as a speaker at local, as well as national, educational sessions and spent countless hours sharing thoughts and ideas with credit union officials about how to improve their operations.
Throughout his career at Baxter Credit Union, Rex focused on quality member service and staff motivation. Under his leadership, the credit union won the coveted Baxter Quality Award for service in 1992. The credit union again won this award in 1998.
Today Rex is president of Lending Solutions, Inc., a company he founded in 1993 as the first hands-on interactive lending school for credit union professionals.
Rex has made a career in credit unions his life. He continues to motivate, teach and inspire a new generation of credit union professionals seeking careers in credit unions.
Reflecting upon his life at the age of 94, Kelly summed up his service to members in this autobiographical quote: “I would have to give my work with credit unions top priority. I am very proud of my small part in developing the credit union movement. Join one if you can and urge your children to do the same.”
Apparently many people have taken Kelly’s advice. Credit unions in Illinois boast a total membership exceeding two-million people, representing over 600 credit unions. Much of this success was spurred by the tenacity of pioneers like Kelly.
Kelly had three totally different careers. First, he began as a teacher. Then, he joined the postal service in 1924. And he retired from the Illinois Credit Union League after ten years of service. How did he get “hooked” on credit unions?
During Kelly’s tenure with the post office, he volunteered to be on the Welfare Council. He received a letter from the post office department in Washington, DC praising the local success of credit unions. Kelly contacted Roy Bergengren, who referred him to the officers of the Springfield Postal Credit Union. After this meeting, credit unions in the Champaign area got a jump start.
John met with 50 employees on March 27, 1931 and they agreed to start a credit union. Kelly was elected to serve on the board and also served as the treasurer and manager. Within the next five years, Kelly continued to expand credit unions by helping organize eight more in Piatt and Champaign Counties. Urbana Postal and the University of Illinois Employees are just two examples of those credit unions that still remain today.
At the end of this period, Kelly was elected to serve on the board of the Illinois Credit Union League. Two years later, in 1938, he accepted the position of field representative on behalf of the league, traveling the state to organize more credit unions. Because of his success, two additional field representatives were hired and Kelly was promoted to assistant managing director.
Employees of the Illinois Credit Union League have Kelly to thank for researching and establishing an employee benefit plan in 1945. Of course, many more choices are available today than at its inception.
Kelly retired from the Illinois Credit Union League as assistant managing director in 1955 at the age of 58. Ironically, he was not given the position of managing director because his health was fragile; Kelly outlived DeRamus, Brietzke, Tinnes and the board that voted him out.
Kelly continued to support the credit union movement until his death in 1994 at the age of 96. In 1947 the East Central Chapter changed its name to the John L. Kelly Chapter. The Hall of Fame is proud to honor his memory.
As a young Chicago attorney graduating from the University of Chicago Law School, Willard King had a unique role in the credit union movement in Illinois. He was “drafted” into the movement in 1924 when he was asked to draft the original Credit Union Act of Illinois.
King accomplished this objective the following year and spent less than $1,000. He had solicited the support of the Illinois Federation of Laborers, the Illinois Manufacturers Association, the Illinois Bankers Association and ultimately even won over the Cook County Bankers Association. The bill he drafted provided for the organization of state-chartered credit unions in Illinois. It was the 23rd such law in the United States, effective July 1, 1925. Today we have over 500 state-chartered credit unions.
About five years later, King guided the formulation of the Illinois Credit Union League. Later he was named its first honorary member.
In 1960 King became a member of the planning committee that selected the site at York and Belmont in Bensenville for the league headquarters.
Willard King served as outside legal counsel for the league for approximately 45 years. He was a frequent speaker at many of the annual meetings in Chicago.
While vacationing in Barbados, King died on March 5, 1981 at the age of 87. He was honored by the Northwest Chicago Chapter. In May of that year, the chapter name was changed to the Willard L. King Chapter. Now we have the privilege of installing him in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame as a true pioneer.
As one of the founders of the Bakelite Ottawa Plastics Credit Union and the Credit Union Executive Society, Joseph A. Klein is a natural choice for the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame. These were only the beginnings of his passion for the credit union movement.
Klein was a director of the Bakelite Ottawa Plastics Credit Union for 36 years and chief executive officer for 29 years. He retired in 1989.
Joe simultaneously served on the board of the Tri County Credit Union for 19 years. He served on every committee during his tenure there.
At the chapter level, Klein was a director for the Tri County Chapter for 15 years. He served as president for seven years and treasurer for four. Joe held many notable positions including education liaison. He was a representative to the Illinois Credit Union Foundation and for the CUNA Mutual Policy Owners. Joe served on the board of the Illinois Credit Union League for nine years.
In addition to Klein’s notoriety in the credit union movement, he also served on the Ottawa United Fund board. He represented his area in the Bike Across the Magnificent Miles of Illinois for the Chicago Lung Association.
Joe has been active with the Local 129 Labor Union at Bakelite, Union Carbide and American Hoescht plants. He is currently an officer of the Knights of Columbus of Ottawa. He is a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Elks Club, St. Patrick’s Church, AARP and treasurer of Union Carbide Old Timers. Wherever he goes, he is quick to spread the word about credit unions.
Don Leber may truly be considered a credit union pioneer. He started the H.O. Perlee Credit Union in his home basement in 1957. The credit union was chartered so that board members from other credit unions could get loans. At that time board members were prohibited from receiving loans from credit unions where they were serving as a director. Don also managed the Atwood Credit Union until 2004 when it merged with Rockford Bell Credit Union.
In addition to his management duties with the H.O. Perlee and Atwood Credit Unions, Don ran his own business, Leber Services, from 1986 to 2000. Leber Services provided computer services to ten area credit unions.
Don also volunteered his time serving in various capacities on the H.O. Perlee Chapter Board (now the Rockford Area Chapter). Throughout his career Don took time to mentor others in the credit union movement. He shared his knowledge about credit unions, the movement, and general business skills with many CEOs who are still running credit unions today. We received letters of recommendation from those who know and worked with Don commending him on his business sense, tireless devotion to credit unions and his selfless commitment to the movement. As one CEO said “Don gave his all to the credit union movement and expected nothing in return”.
Don is currently still serving as a board member for Rockford Bell Credit Union. His 54 years of dedication to the credit unions of Illinois is now acknowledged by his induction into the Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Even after his retirement from the Illinois Credit Union League, Al Liesse is still involved at McHenry County Schools Federal Credit Union serving members on the supervisory committee. Liesse has already spent nearly 50 years promoting the benefits of credit union membership.
Al joined the league in 1960 as a field representative and in 1975 he was named development coordinator. Al retired in 1981 as vice president of the Illinois Credit Union League and manager of the ICUL Service Corp.
Liesse was active in the credit union movement since 1946. As a volunteer, Al was a catalyst for the creation of many new credit unions. Liesse held many offices in the Tri County Chapter, including president in 1951.
Al served as a league director for nine years with the distinction of being the first league director from the Tri County Chapter. During the early years, he was a member of the legislative committee, the by-laws’ committee and general chair of the annual meeting.
Liesse was treasurer of the Illinois Zinc Company Employees Federal Credit Union for fourteen years. For six years, Al was president of St. Mary’s Parish Credit Union in Peru. This was one of the many credit unions he helped organize. Al was also president of the Tri County Chapter Credit Union for four years. All of these voluntary offices were attained in his early days in The Credit Union Movement.
Al received a BS in Physics from the University of Illinois at Urbana. He served in the United States Naval Reserve at the end of World War II.
One of Al’s greatest legacies is his dedication to raising money for the ICU Foundation. He has done this zealously by organizing, planning and promoting the Fox Valley Chapter’s Vern Hajeck Memorial Golf Outing. His constant dedication to the movement has earned Alvin P. Liesse a prominent position in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Ralph Long was dedicated to the credit union movement for thirteen years. He witnessed and participated in two significant events in the history of the movement. First, Long was one of fifty-two delegates to participate in the CUNA organization meeting in 1934. Ralph later became a key organizer of the Illinois Credit Union League.
From 1939 to 1940 Long served as a CUNA director. He was board chair of the Illinois Credit Union League at the same time. Long held both positions until his untimely death in 1940.
Long began his involvement with credit unions in 1927 by chartering the Decatur Wabash Credit Union (now the Horizon Credit Union). He was selected as the first manager and treasurer of the credit union.
Nearly every credit union in the central part of Illinois was organized in part through Long’s efforts. One could say that Long had a knack for organizing.
Not only did he participate in leadership roles in many credit union launches, he also organized the Easter Seals of Decatur. He established the Decatur Hospital Service Corporation in 1937. Long founded the Longview Housing Project. It still provides housing for low income families in Decatur.
We honor his memory and dedication to the credit union cause. Long is truly a person who belongs among those honored in the Illinois Credit Union League Hall of Fame.
Larry Meyer was a true credit union pioneer. He served on the board of VAMCO Credit Union for almost 30 years, 10 of them as Chairman. During that time he always put the interests of the credit union and its members first. He rarely missed a meeting and always kept up to date on the latest service, product and technology trends relating to the financial industry.
Larry’s commitment to the credit union movement did not end with his service to VAMCO. He was a founder and charter member of Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union. He also served as a Director of the Illinois Credit Union League for almost 10 years and as an alternate director for the Credit Union National Association.
Larry brought a sense of purpose and professionalism to everything he did. His leadership touched many lives in Illinois and his dedication, loyalty and commitment to the credit union movement will always be remembered.
Several years ago, VAMCO Credit Union honored Larry by establishing an ICU Foundation perpetual scholarship in his name. In true Larry Meyer style, he downplayed this honor on his behalf and was more excited that this scholarship would provide assistance to a new generation of credit union leaders.
Sadly Larry Meyer passed away last year but we are honored to induct him into the Credit Union Hall of Fame posthumously.
McArthur left a magnificent legacy behind upon his death at the age of 74 in his Waukegan home on January 9, 1964. He had the distinction of being the first league director from the Thomas W. Doig Chapter.
He organized the Waukegan (now Lake County) Postal Credit Union in 1928, the first credit union in Lake County. McArthur served as president of that credit union and was the first president of the Thomas W. Doig Chapter. McArthur retired from his position as superintendent of the financial division at the Waukegan Post Office after 46 years.
On the national front, McArthur served as vice chair and vice president of CUNA. McArthur retired in May just before his death. He was a director of CUMIS Insurance, the Central Credit Union of Illinois and the Credit Union Share Guaranty Corporation. All of the positions he held were on a voluntary basis.
McArthur is most remembered for his involvement in organizing credit unions among postal workers. McArthur is truly a person who belongs in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Jay McCaughey is president of the Warren Newport Credit Union. Jay and his family have strongly supported the credit union movement for over forty years.
Jay has dedicated his life to his family, friends, community and nation. He served in World War II. Afterward he was appointed postmaster of Gurnee in 1947. In 1970 he transferred to the Zion post office.
During those years, Jay became active in the Warren Township Credit Union where he was elected treasurer in 1956. In fact, the whole family was active! The credit union was housed in the family basement. Statements were stuffed at the family dining room table.
Jay had a sign on his desk that read The Buck Starts Here. The mayor of Gurnee got his first car loan from Jay. Members likened the feeling of the credit union to the building and loan in the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. It is no surprise that the credit union motto became The Family Place. It is reminiscent of Jay’s children accepting loan payments while playing baseball! Jay embraced the credit union philosophy of people helping people.
In 1974 Jay played a key role in the merger of the Warren Township and Newport Township Credit Unions. Under his influence, the credit union has grown to $75 million in assets.
Jay has always kept up with technology and new services to make Warren Newport a leader in the financial community. His involvement at the chapter and league levels has impacted credit unions statewide. Jay’s innovative ideas in human resources, strategic planning and employee services have led to the development of programs in those areas.
McCaughey has served the Credit Union Movement in varied leadership positions. Jay is a member of CUES. He is an active CUPAC and ICU Foundation contributor.
It is not unusual for a state senator to contact Jay to ask his opinion about pending credit union state legislation. On the national front, Jay joined the 1991 grassroots rally. He also attends Governmental Affairs Conferences in Washington.
Jay is well known in the Thomas W. Doig Chapter. He has held the positions of chapter president and treasurer. At this time, he is the chapter board league director.
Since his election to the ICUL board of directors in 1992, he has been active on many committees. He was a member of the executive committee for four years, the ad hoc supervisory committee for three years and the legislative committee for one year. Jay served as chair of the annual convention last year.
Jay is a strong proponent for small credit unions. His actions demonstrate his true passion. When North Shore Gas Credit Union had every employee sick with the flu, he sent his employees to help. Jay has always been at the forefront of this issue.
McCaughey received the Book of Golden Deeds Award from the Exchange Club in 1992. This special award honors individuals that have given selfless service to the community in the spirit of the Golden Rule. The Gurnee Days Corporation honored him further with his appointment as the Grand Marshal of the Gurnee Days Parade.
Jay serves his community well. He was a member of the Gurnee Lions Club, the Gurnee American Legion, the Gurnee Grade School PTA and the Gurnee Couples Club. He was a founding member of the Gurnee Breakfast Exchange Club. Jay served as a member of the Village of Gurnee Plan Commission.
Jay inspired the credit union to actively participate in the Toys for Tots Campaign and the C.O.O.L. food pantry drives. He encourages sponsorship of community youth programs and promotes the Young Credit Union Professionals Group.
Today we honor Jay McCaughey—leader, activist and humanitarian. We are proud to announce Jay’s entry into the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Vic McCauley has been a dedicated volunteer serving tirelessly on behalf of the credit union movement. He is in his 30th year of service as a Board member of MembersAlliance Credit Union and is currently the Chairman. He was a member of the Rockford Area Chapter board for many years holding various positions.
Vic also served the credit union movement throughout his tenure on the Illinois Credit Union League Board for 15 years. While on the League Board he served for 15 years on the Annual Convention Committee and as Chairman of that committee in 2000 and 2005. He also served on the Credit Union Support Group Committee and as a member of the Ad Hoc Committee on Board Restructuring in 1995. Vic was also instrumental in developing policies and procedures that greatly affected the League and credit unions through his representation on the Executive Committee from 2000 to 2003 and from 2005 to 2007.
Vic was actively involved in his community and always promoted credit unions. He was a representative for the United Way of Rock River Valley for 15 years. Vic’s passion for credit unions and the common man was well known throughout his community and the chapter. He could always be counted on to lend a hand when someone needed it. Vic’s concern that everyone be treated fairly fit in well with the “people helping people” philosophy that is embedded into the credit union movement.
Vic is a unique, one of a kind person whose service on behalf of credit unions will be sorely missed.
Vic is inducted into the Hall of Fame in recognition of his many years of dedicated service to the credit unions of Illinois, as demonstrated by his support and involvement in the on-going development and preservation of the Illinois Credit Union League, the Rockford Area Chapter, his community and MembersAlliance Credit Union.
Chuck Nagel was involved in the credit union movement for over 24 years. As CEO of Glenbrook Credit Union, he also found time to volunteer to serve on the Northern Cook County Chapter board, as a member of a Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union committee, as a CUNA Mutual policy owner representative, as treasurer of Illinois CUES and as a CUNA board member, where he served as chairman of its Small Credit Union Task Force.
Chuck’s interest in serving as a member of the CUNA board was in the area of assisting small credit unions. At the time of his death, Chuck had just completed a report to the CUNA board listing 28 recommendations his committee developed to assist small credit unions. This report and the results derived from it will be a lasting tribute to a man that devoted much of his life to the credit union movement.
In addition to his many credit union activities, Chuck also volunteered his time to the Boy Scouts of America. Having achieved the level of Eagle Scout in his younger years, Chuck continued to work closely with the Boy Scouts throughout his adult years.
Arvid Nelson visibly dedicated more than four decades of his life to the credit union movement. His death at the age of 85 in 1986 was a loss felt by many whom he helped along the way. We honor him now in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Nelson had many interests in his lifetime, with credit unions ranking right on top. He served as a board member for 29 years and as secretary of the Northwestern Publishing Company Employees Credit Union for many years. He was president of the Vermilion County Chapter Credit Union for 12 years.
Nelson was a director for the Illinois Credit Union League for a quarter of a century. He was a valued member of the executive committee for twelve of those years. Nelson was an advisory board member with the Department of Financial Institutions for a decade. He held the voluntary position of director of CUNA for six years and CUNA Supply for three.
In 1976 the Danville Chapter of Credit Unions changed its name to the Arvid F. Nelson Chapter to recognize his leadership and accomplishments. He personally organized 25 credit unions in east central Illinois. Nelson’s pioneer spirit inspires today’s new emerging leaders throughout Illinois.
Nelson graduated from Illinois State University at Normal. He taught at Rankin and Armstrong High Schools in Danville. Nelson’s passion for sports kept him very active as a coach and official referee.
For over a half century, Further Light Masonic Lodge 1130, AF&AM benefited from his involvement in that organization. Nelson had retired as auditor of the Danville Commercial-News after 24 years of service there.
As chairman of the Illinois Credit Union League and Service Corporation, Gary Nester is a very visible credit union leader. He currently serves as Business Development Manager at Citizens Equity Federal Credit Union in Peoria, which he joined in 1986 after serving as president of three different credit unions.
For nearly three decades Nester has actively supported the credit union movement. He has a “can do” attitude and a reputation for getting the job done. That reputation earned him the CUES Manager of the Year Award in 1983.
Nester has been a director of the Illinois Credit Union League since 1988, the same year he earned his Certified Credit Union Executive designation. He has held positions as secretary/treasurer and vice chairman before becoming its chairman in 1996. As chairman, he visited all 28 chapters of the League, some more than once, to discuss key issues such as credit union unity and the Campaign for Consumer Choice.
While serving on the League and Service Corp. boards, Gary has also served as a board member of Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union. His leadership and willingness to serve multiple groups at the same time is a testament to his enduring commitment and dedication to the credit union movement.
Gary is also committed to the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” as evidenced by his service as a board member for the ICU Foundation since 1988. In his role as a Foundation board member, Gary is quick to raise funds on behalf of community projects such as the Credit Unions for Kids program. In addition, he helps to set policy and establish programs to help credit unions through grants and scholarships.
Nester has held many offices at the chapter level since 1983 when he first became involved. These have included league director, chapter chairman, vice chairman, ICU Foundation rep and education committee liaison.
Gary has also held positions at the national level, serving on several CUNA committees and as a national director. His experience and knowledge of credit union activities, both locally and nationally, have helped earn him this Hall of Fame Award.
His commitment to education is evidenced by his daily activities. Nester is the Human Resource Development Manager and Certified Sales Trainer for CEFCU. Certified in Business Development Sales Training and Sales Strategy, Nester trains CEFCU employees and other credit unions in Illinois. Nester is on the dean’s list of the National Credit Union Institute. He is an active member of the CUNA Human Resources Council and the American Management Association Human Resource Council.
Effective February 1, 1998, Gary assumed the position of Business Development Manager at CEFCU. For a short period of time he is serving as both Human Resource Development Manager and Business Development Manager. As Business Development Manager, Gary will be responsible for working with CEFCU’s current select employee groups and all Caterpillar plants and dealers to promote credit union membership and benefits. He will also be responsible for bringing in new SEGs.
In his spare time, Gary devotes time and energy to his church and community.
The items included above are but a few of the many lifetime achievements Gary has accomplished on behalf of credit unions.
As we honor the people who have dedicated their lives to the credit union movement, we acknowledge Gary Nester. We welcome Gary into the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Rose Nevener spent 51 years of her life serving the credit union movement. She began her credit union career in 1938 as manager of St. Mary’s Credit Union (later called Catholic and Community Credit Union). She remained with the credit union until her death in 1989. In addition to serving on the board of St. Mary’s, Rose also served as a director for Southern Illinois Directors Credit Union and Belleville Community Credit Union.
In addition to her duties as CEO and a credit union board member, Rose also served as a chapter volunteer for 20 years. She held a variety of chapter board positions and served as league director from the Southern Illinois Chapter from 1953 to 1973.
In her spare time, Rose helped organize at least three credit unions in the Southern Illinois Chapter: St. Mary’s, Belleville Community and Southern Illinois Area Credit Union. She gave up a promising law career to run the St. Mary’s parish credit union, devoting all of her time and energy to helping her members. She operated the credit union out of her home and from a card table at the back of the church. Rose organized the credit union with only $90. At the time of her death, the credit union had $8-million dollars in assets.
For half a century Rose Nevener devoted her life to the credit union movement as an employee, volunteer and friend. She was a unique human being with a burning passion for credit unions. And in the true spirit of “people helping people”, Rose willed her body to medical science when she died in 1989.
Alice L. Newquist gave nearly 40 years of her time and effort to support the goal of advancing the credit union movement prior to her death. In 1983 she retired from the Sacred Heart Credit Union as president and manager after twenty years of dedicated service. Her leadership role has gained her a place in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Newquist was very active in the Sangamon Valley Chapter of Credit Unions. She held the position of president from 1986 to 1988. Other positions included the vice presidency.
Alice originated the Sangamon Valley Chapter of Credit Unions Golf Outing, which has since been named in her honor. This is just one notable example of Alice’s involvement in chapter activities. She has held varied positions on the board.
In addition to her credit union activities, Newquist has been a member of St. Aloysius Parish and St. Aloysius Altar Society. She has been a board member of the St. John Vianney Villa Retirement Center.
Bunny has been active in the credit union community since joining the movement nearly 30 years ago when she was working as a civil servant in her position as a Technical Director in the Military Medical Support Office of the Navy at the Great Lakes Naval Base, where the credit union was located at that time. In addition to her long tenure on the GLCU Board of Directors, Bunny has served on local outreach organizations in her local community of Waukegan where she has been a long time resident, and in the surrounding communities of Lake County, Illinois, namely: (i) Top Lakes of Distinction, Inc., North Shore-Chicago Chapter; (ii) North Shore Investment Club; (iii) Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Lambda Nu Omega Chapter; and (iv) Waukegan YWCA, Former Board Member.
Mrs. Nixon was recognized by the GLCU Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team at its 2016 Annual Meeting when she achieved the milestone of 25 years of dedicated service to the Board.
Harry O. Perlee was a member of four credit unions in his lifetime. These were the Rockford Postal Credit Union, the Rockford Federation of Labor Credit Union, the ICUL Credit Union and the Rockford Municipal Employees Credit Union.
He was also a member of both the AFL labor union and the National Federation of Post Office Clerks labor union. Perlee was a labor leader in the Rockford area.
Perlee was one of the founders of the Rockford Postal Credit Union in 1927, becoming the seventeenth credit union in Illinois. He also helped establish the Perlee Chapter named in his honor.
Others in the movement considered Perlee a brilliant person with true organizational expertise. He was an individual with many abilities. Perlee had great people skills, coupled with principles of conduct and courage. On January 29, 1950 Perlee was the only dissenter on a motion for the managing director to select his own assistant without board approval.
Perlee was a delegate to the organizational meeting for the Illinois League in 1930. He served as league director from the Rock River Valley Chapter (now Harry O. Perlee Chapter) from 1933 until his death. He died in 1960 in Rockford at the age of 73 after a long illness.
We honor the memory of Harry O. Perlee in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame. Many in the Rockford area are still inspired by his reputation to continue spreading the credit union spirit today.
It is hard to imagine that Erma Petroski is a part of the credit union movement for 28 years already. When you get a glimpse of her, she is always on the run! It’s always a new adventure when you try to keep up with Erma.
Petroski is known by both state and national lawmakers as a strong proponent for credit unions. Springfield and Washington DC legislators know that Erma represents a cause she believes in earnestly. This is why she was such an effective member and director of CUPAC, serving for over a decade.
Erma has the distinction of winning the Eagle Award of the Egyptian Chapter on four occasions. She has been an active board member since 1972.
Petroski began as a bookkeeper at the Southern Illinois Schools Credit Union in 1972. In 1975 she was promoted to president and treasurer. Then, in 1989, she became the treasurer, board member and legislative representative of the Vienna Correctional Center Credit Union.
For over a quarter of a century, Petroski served on the board of the Illinois Credit Union League. She served on the executive committee, the finance committee, the annual convention committee, the legislative committee and the credit union support group committee. In 1983 she was the treasurer of the ICUL Service Corp.
On the national front, she was part of the 1991 grassroots movement in Washington DC to preserve credit unions. Petroski has given more than a dozen years of service to CUNA as a national director.
Closer to home, Petroski is a recent volunteer and board member of the Williamson Country Catholic Credit Union. She also works with the Carbondale Highway Credit Union.
Petroski’s dynamism makes for a formidable force for credit unions in Illinois. We applaud her gusto and honor her spirit in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Glen Pickens will long be remembered for his efforts to chronicle the first 50 years of credit union history in Illinois. His death in 1992 left a void in the credit union movement.
Pickens was the chief executive officer and treasurer of the University of Illinois Employees Credit Union from 1948 until his retirement in 1983. He had spent nearly four decades serving members of his credit union.
Glen helped organize the John L. Kelly Chapter, in which he was a charter member and past-president. At the state level, Pickens served as a director of the Illinois Credit Union League. He held the leadership position of president from 1961 to 1963.
Pickens was a CUNA director for thirteen years. He holds the distinction of being a member of the first advisory board to the Department of Financial Institutions.
Glen Pickens is a person who was involved at the local, state and national levels within the credit union movement. We honor his memory and work as he is inducted into the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Dan Plauda began his career at the Illinois Credit Union League in 1977 when he was hired by Dick Ensweiler to be its first ever General Counsel. At that time things were rapidly changing in the credit union movement with the advent of share drafts, Truth in Lending, and an explosion of technological advances.
One of Dan’s first, and most important, accomplishments was the drafting and passage of the recodification of the Illinois Credit Union Act in 1979. This piece of legislation took two years to develop, fine tune, get passed by the Illinois Legislature and signed into law by Governor Jim Thompson. This major overhaul of the Illinois Credit Union Act ushered in a new era of services the credit union movement could provide to its members. It has provided the framework for legislation benefitting credit unions in Illinois.
Dan was also instrumental in the expansion of the Credit Union Political Action Council through fundraising activities and events. Under his leadership it grew from a $5000 per year PAC to what it is today – one of the most effective political action groups in the State of Illinois, raising more than $342,000 in 2013.
In 1978, recognizing a need for monetary assistance to credit unions for education and products, Dan formed the Illinois Credit Union Foundation, establishing it as a 501(3) charitable organization to benefit the needs of small credit unions throughout the state. As of 2013 the Foundation had disbursed more than $3.5 million in grants and scholarships to Illinois credit unions.
Other programs Dan initiated included the annual Credit Union Attorneys’ Conference, the Small Asset Size Conference and the Springfield governmental affairs conference.
Throughout his service to the credit unions in Illinois, Dan has expanded League and LSC products and services. The Illinois League is one of the most respected and successful in the country and the LSC currently serves credit unions in all 50 states with its wide array of card products.
Dan became League and LSC CEO in 1984 becoming only the fourth person to serve in that position since the League’s inception in 1930. As one of the longest serving CEOs in the country, he has also served on multiple national organization committees, including AACUL and CUNA.
As CEO, Dan oversaw the League’s participation in CUNA’s 1989 “Operation Grassroots” program which had more than 330 Illinois credit union members in attendance, the move of League offices from Oak Brook to Naperville in 1990 and a variety of departmental and staff reorganizations to make services more effective and efficient. Dan expanded and restructured the Governmental Affairs Department and opened a branch office in Springfield to better communicate the needs of credit unions to lawmakers.
He also led the LSC in becoming a national brand that provides high quality, low cost products to credit unions of all sizes.
From General Counsel to CEO, Dan has provided the leadership and skills necessary to make the Illinois League and LSC able to assist the credit unions of Illinois to grow and prosper.
Dan Plauda has dedicated 37 years of his life to the credit union movement and remains a respected leader throughout the nation and the State of Illinois. He has devoted his time to improving the services of the League, expanding the quality and number of products offered by LSC and motivating his staff to excel. Dan is a real life example of someone who has given his all, and by doing so, has achieved what he sought – a positive future for the credit unions of Illinois.
After fleeing Ukraine in 1944, Mr. Pleszkewycz immigrated to the United States where he helped organize Selfreliance Ukrainian Federal Credit Union in 1951. As the first CEO, he encouraged the credit union to be an active participant in the preservation and development of Ukrainian culture, language and history in the neighborhood.
Since 1951, the credit union has become a focal point in the Ukrainian community in Chicago and has grown into a full-service, $200-million financial institution. Mr. Pleszkewycz assisted new immigrants with financial needs and the credit union quickly became a support system for those who did not know the language or the culture.
While performing his duties as CEO, Omelan also volunteered his time at local community, church and youth organizations. In 1975 he helped found a senior citizen nutrition center which is still in use today. Mr. Pleszkewycz retired in 1977, but has remained active at the credit union as the honorary president and consultant.
Not content to just spread the word of credit unions in the United States, Omelan also helped organize the Ukrainian National Credit Union Association, the World Council of Ukrainian Cooperatives and is currently assisting in the re-introduction of credit unions in Ukraine.
To add to his remarkable achievements, Omelan is currently writing the history of the first 50 years of Selfreliance Ukrainian Federal Credit Union. At 91 years old, Omelan Pleszkewycz is truly worthy of this “Lifetime Achievement” award.
Vicki has been with the Illinois Credit Union League for over 40 years. Throughout that time she has been responsible for various functions including CUPAC, the ICU Foundation and the Education Department. She initiated many fundraising activities including golf outings, raffles, and the CUPAC chapter competition program. She also helped charter the Credit Union Women’s Leadership Network in 1977. Vicki developed and implemented the Small Asset Size Credit Union Conference and the Women’s Leadership Conference, both of which are now annual events.
Helena Pouk is an avid credit union supporter for nearly four decades. The essence of Helena’s dedication is captured in this brief personal statement: “I really liked the work of the credit union and got really committed to the credit union movement.”
In 1957 Pouk’s credit union career was launched when she went to work for the National Can Clearing Credit Union. Subsequently, she accepted the position of manager of the Ethicon Suture Credit Union for 25 years. Helena became active at the chapter level and served as chair and in other capacities.
Helena attends every DeRamus Chapter meeting. She has chaired the DeRamus Chapter’s Annual Race Track event for seven years to raise money for CUPAC and ICU Foundation projects. Helena’s enthusiasm for getting the younger ones involved is a significant accomplishment.
The DeRamus Chapter has honored Helena for her many years of service by nominating her for the Chapter Leader Award. The chapter has also created a scholarship in her name to the Illinois Credit Union Foundation. Currently, Helena is employed part-time at the Illinois Credit Union League.
Helena’s dedication is what makes credit unions what they are today. We are pleased to honor Helena Pouk in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Dominic Preci has devoted almost fifty years of his life to volunteer efforts that benefited the people of Ottawa. He became a director with Financial Plus Credit Union in 1957 when it had only 1300 members and $523,000 in assets. Dominic served on the Supervisory Committee for 49 years, seeing the credit union grow to 19,000 members and $110 million in assets. He was a member of the board when it became the first credit union board in the country to complete the Volunteer Achievement Program. In addition to the commitment Dominic has shown to the credit union, he has also served as the Treasurer for the Tri-County Chapter for the last ten years.
Dominic’s volunteer spirit does not end with his duties at the credit union. He also devotes time to the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, where he has been a member of the men’s club and treasurer since 1956, has taught CCD for 17 years and was made an Honorary Life Member of the Men’s Club in 2004.
Dominic became a member of the Moose Lodge in 1988, serving as an officer from 1989 to 2003. He was voted Lodge Moose of the Year in 1995. He was elected Fellow of the Moose in 1996 and was a member of Moose 25 Club in 1999. He is also an honorary life member of the Moose and a life member in the President’s Club.
Dominic was also active in the Boy Scouts, serving as an Assistant Scout Master for ten years.
Dominic has truly demonstrated the philosophy of “people helping people” in a multitude of ways. We are pleased to induct Dominic Preci into the Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Don Reedy has spent his entire working life at Olin Community Credit Union, beginning in 1978 when it had $15 million in assets. He rose through the ranks from collector to becoming CEO in 1991. Today Olin has over $410 million in assets, 7 branches and the membership doubled in size, now boasting more than 40,000 members Much of this amazing growth is due to the leadership and skills of Don Reedy. When considering new programs for the credit union Don’s first question is always “how does this affect our members”?
In addition to providing a great work environment, Don encourages staff involvement in the community and the Southern Illinois Chapter. Olin Community Credit Union donates over $40,000 each year to local charities through staff participation in charity events, fundraisers and donations. The credit union also hosts a golf outing that raises over $10,000 annually for local charities. Don is such a strong believer in having staff provide charitable assistance within the community that he allows employees time off work to help out in local fundraisers.
Leading by example, Don spends a great deal of time volunteering for both community and credit union organizations. He has served on the Southern Illinois Chapter Board and strongly encourages staff to attend and participate in as many Chapter activities as possible. He is serves on the board of the River Bend Growth Association.
Don’s admiration and respect from his staff, board and other credit unions in the area was demonstrated through the many letters and emails we received in support of his induction into the Hall of Fame.
Don is always available to his members, his staff, the community and any credit union CEOs that may need assistance. Without his strong leadership, sense of community, willingness to assist those in need, and pride in promoting the credit union movement, Olin Community Credit Union would not be the world class financial institution it is today.
We are honored to welcome Don Reedy, CEO of Olin Community Credit Union, into the Illinois Credit Union League’s Hall of Fame.
Bill Reidel spent a lifetime serving the needs of credit union members throughout Lake County. For forty years Bill worked at Consumers Cooperative Credit Union in Waukegan, 25 of them as CEO. During that time, Bill presided over record growth attributed to his leadership skills and his vision to expand products and services and introduce the use of technology for convenience, ease and economies of scale. Consumers Cooperative Credit Union is now one of the top ten credit unions in Illinois in asset size.
Bill began his career in 1964 as a loan interviewer and collector. Bill developed his skills for helping members through his efforts to assist those in financial need. Bill became an “institution” in Waukegan and surrounding communities. To this day, Consumers has second and third generation members that can still trace their roots to a “first loan” provided to a parent, grandparent or relative.
His reputation for service and fairness enhanced his credibility with legislators and local political leaders. He has received resolutions commending his service from the Governor of Illinois, the Illinois House of Representatives, the City of Waukegan, and a letter of Commendation from the Illinois Senate.
He also was active in the Thomas W. Doig Chapter, serving a term as Chairman and worked with the Filene Research Institute. He served on the Lake County Advisory Board for 15 years and on the Board of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce for 10 years, including one term as Chairman.
Bill’s commitment to making life better for individuals extended outside the credit union as well. He assisted with United Way fundraising events, the March of Dimes, Chapter Relays, teaching at a local college, organizing local parades and festivals, as well as attending Hike the Hill events and the Operation Grassroots Rally in Washington.
Consumers Cooperative Credit Union was chartered in 1930. It has survived the Great Depression and other turbulent financial times. Much of its success may be attributed to Bill Reidel’s unselfish dedication to the philosophy of “people helping people”. Under his tenure, the credit union matured from an “addition product” of the Waukegan Trading Company to the full service financial cooperative it is today. Membership grew from 16,000 members to over 47,000 and assets went from $14 million to more than $365 million.
Bill Reidel has left a lasting legacy in the credit union movement, at Consumers Cooperative Credit Union and in his community.
For forty-five years Betty Renth has been on the Board of Directors of Scott Credit Union, serving as Chairman since 1968. During her 45 years with Scott Credit Union, it grew to be the largest credit union in southwestern Illinois with more than $260 million in assets, five branch locations, and just over 48,000 members. She is involved with all aspects of the credit union and is politically active on its behalf. She is a regular attendee at both CUNA’s annual governmental affairs conference in Washington, D.C. and the League’s lobby day in Springfield.
In 1988, she was elected to the board of the National Association of Credit Union Chairmen and served two consecutive terms, one as Vice Chairman. She has been honored by former State Treasurer Patrick Quinn for the credit union’s efforts to provide a low cost plan to returning Desert Storm veterans. The “Welcome Home Loan Program” offered loans at 6% to veterans of the Gulf War. Scott Credit Union was recognized for being Illinois’ largest lender of such loans, disbursing more than $267,000.
Betty has a long history of volunteering on behalf of worthy causes and giving each one 100% of her time and effort. In 1997 Betty was awarded the Spirit of Service, Volunteer of the Year Award by the Illinois Credit Union System.
Betty Renth exemplifies the values and traditions symbolic of the credit union movement and continues to share her wisdom, dedication and leadership on behalf of Scott Credit Union.
As we honor the memory of Jack Rodger as a credit union pioneer for nearly four decades, we recall his favorite passage: “Faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” He loved people and his dedication to helping those he knew was readily apparent.
Rodger was assistant secretary of the Franklin Life Insurance Company in Springfield before he retired. Active in the credit union movement since 1954, Jack was president, treasurer and credit committee chair for the company’s credit union. He also served on its supervisory committee.
Jack was an alternate director of CUNA and the Governor’s Advisory Board for Credit Unions. Rodger was a director of Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union. He was also elected as director of the Illinois Credit Union League in 1969, serving for more than a decade.
Rodger gave generously of his time to his community of Springfield. He was a past master and treasurer of St. Paul’s Lodge #500, AF&AM. He was on the advisory board, the Order of DeMolay, the Legion of Honor of DeMolay and a member of the Elks Lodge #158 B.P.O.E.
Dean Seefeld has been involved in credit unions for over thirty years. Beginning in 1965, he became a board member of the IAA Federal Credit Union for three years, serving as president from 1967 to 1968.
From 1965 to 1970, Dean held various chapter offices, including president for two years. He was a board member and president of the Bloomington Chapter Credit Union from 1970 to 1975. Currently, he is the general manager of IAA Federal Credit Union, a position he accepted in 1971. From 1973 to 1977, he was a director of the Illinois Credit Union League.
In 1992 the IAA Federal Credit Union won a coveted CUES Golden Mirror Award of Merit for direct mail in the single item and coordinated campaign categories. The credit union serves as host to local artists to showcase their talents in the corporate lobby.
Seefeld introduced the annual canned food drive for six local charities during International Credit Union Week. He was on the board of the Credit Bureau of Bloomington from 1975 to 1988. Seefeld served as its president from 1984 to 1987.
We commend the work of Dean Seefeld on behalf of credit unions. Seefeld joins those honored in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
To his family and friends, Frank Seminara was Mr. Credit Union. His first love was creating credit unions and helping those who organized credit unions.
Frank Seminara was a very active individual in the local credit union movement that began in the 1950s. He founded four credit unions: Typographical Credit Union, Inland Press Credit Union, All Saints Parish Credit Union and the Southwest Chicago Chapter Credit Union. He served as president of each credit union at one time or another. These were joyous moments for him.
Frank was a member of the board of the Illinois Credit Union League and served as chair from 1963 to 1965. Always proactive, he was very active on several committees.
Seminara was also involved as a union representative in the printers’ union of which he was a member. He was a printer by trade and later was a salesperson in the printing industry, retiring at the age of 65.
Frank was a self-made individual. At the age of five, Frank left his home in Palermo, Italy. He immigrated to the United States with his family. His father died when he was young, requiring him to assume the role of family provider. Frank accepted these responsibilities willingly. Although he could no longer attend school regularly, he continued to educate himself.
Frank lived on the same street as the late Mayor Richard M. Daley in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago. Shortly after he married, he bought a home on Lowe, where he remained until his death in 1986 at the age of 76. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, All Saints Catholic Church and the Printers Bowling League.
Seminara was active in the Southwest Chicago Chapter that later changed its name to the Seminara-Jackson Chapter to honor both individuals, who were friends in the credit union movement. Today we honor the memory of a true organizer and friend of credit unions by inducting Frank Seminara into the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
n 1967 when John Siefken joined Caterpillar Employees Federal Credit Union, it had 26,000 members and $29 million in assets. When Siefken retired as CEO of Citizens Equity Federal Credit Union (CEFCU) it had grown to 205,000 members and $1.6 billion in assets.
John Siefken has much to be proud of, not the least of which was maintaining the “small town” feel of the credit union. John always put member interests first, repeatedly turning down opportunities to achieve personal wealth by converting to a bank. He believed that while members could always buy stock as a result of a conversion, they already owned the credit union.
John always touted the benefits of locally owned credit unions as opposed to large out-of-state banks. He let communities know that by supporting the local credit unions, jobs, investments and money could be retained in the community.
John was once chosen as one of the top three CEOs nationwide in turning credit unions around. Perhaps his greatest accomplishment was bringing CEFCU out of a traumatic recession during the 1980s. Caterpillar, Inc., CEFCU’s primary field of membership, laid off 45% of its workforce after a 205-day strike. Most were CEFCU members with outstanding loans. As layoffs and bankruptcies increased alarmingly, John merged in two distressed credit unions, taking over their fields of membership in an attempt to diversify CEFCU’s base and provide assistance to those credit unions’ members as well.
It was also during the 1980s that John proceeded to implement new services and programs and empower employees to improve everyday processes. He began a TQM process of quality circles where employees could control their own destinies. John rewarded and encouraged continuing education and instituted a tuition reimbursement program. That initiative is now called the University of CEFCU and focuses on professional development and training. And well before “EEOC” measures were implemented, John led the way in promoting women into management positions.
John Siefken was largely responsible for making CEFCU one of the largest financial institutions in the Central Illinois area. He established the largest ATM network in Illinois between Chicago and St. Louis. Upon his retirement in 1998, household penetration was 62% in the nine counties surrounding CEFCU’s headquarters. For 11 consecutive years, CEFCU received the highest vote as the area’s “Who’s Who” in the category of financial institutions as determined by an independent community survey.
As CEO, John’s passion was helping people, many of whom were overlooked by banks. Under his leadership CEFCU opened a Member Center in a depressed area of Peoria where seven of every ten household incomes fall below the federal poverty level. No other financial institutions served this area. Knowing this Member Center would never be a money maker, John opened it anyway to provide desperately needed help to this low-income area.
CEFCU is also a community leader. While John was CEO, CEFCU was named the 1987 Federal Credit Union of the Year and received the 1999 First Place Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award, Bradley University’s President’s Award, the 1997 Central Illinois Outstanding Philanthropic Corporate Award and many others. The credit union has also supported the Children’s Hospital for more than 20 years, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars, contributed $1 million to Bradley University for endowed CEFCU member scholarships and contributed to a variety of capital campaigns including Easter Seals, the American Red Cross and United Way. It also has made a $1 million dollar investment in the Illinois Credit Union Foundation’s Community Investment Fund.
John Siefken has embraced the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” for more than 38 years. He worked diligently to renew the spirit, purpose and focus of the Credit Union National Association. He has defended the credit union movement vehemently on numerous occasions in his community and in Washington, D.C. He has always recognized CEFCU employees as the credit union’s most valuable asset and has led by example.
In addition to his leadership of the credit union and his work with national credit union organizations such as CUNA, NAFCU and the Filene Research Institute, John also managed to find time to serve as a volunteer for United Way, the Peoria Chamber of Commerce, the American Red Cross, and the Peoria Symphony.
Because of John Siefken’s overwhelming passion, dedication and leadership, he is being inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Paul has committed his entire professional life to the Credit Union Movement by serving many roles over the past 48 years. From the start of his career, Paul worked his way through the ranks at Cincinnati Central Credit Union, from Teller to IT Specialist to an Accountant to Collector to a Loan Officer before then serving as the VP of Operations. After 15 years at Cincinnati Central, Paul served as the EVP for Sunstate Federal Credit Union before moving his career to Paysaver Credit Union as president and CEO. At Paysaver, he restored the credit union’s capital ratio from a negative to a positive while growing the asset size by $37 million.
Paul’s strong leadership and experience brought a positive merger between Paysaver and Credit Union 1. After the merger Paul assumed the role as CEO of the combined entity Credit Union 1. As CEO, Paul succeeded as a great leader and key asset to the credit union for 32 years. His vision spurred growth to see you one, increasing the asset size during his tenure from $200 million to $1 billion. Paul’s leadership encouraged new initiatives to expand Credit Union 1’s membership base, extending the credit union’s borders from Nevada to Indiana. While serving as CEO of Credit Union 1, Paul was appointed by Governor George Ryan to serve on the State of Illinois Governor Advisory Committee Team for credit unions. He served as the Chairman of the Board for Excess Share Insurance and the Supervisory Committee of Midstates Corporate Federal Credit Union, and was a liaison for the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors to Illinois State chartered credit unions. Paul also served as Chairman of the Board at American Share Insurance.
Jack Teausant grew up in the credit union movement. His grandfather Charles Munks and 35 other members of the Glass, Ceramic, and Silica Workers of North America Local 19 each pitched in $5 to organize Glass Workers Credit Union in 1951. Munks served as a volunteer board member until 1976. Jack’s mom Marilyn Dudgeon also served the credit union as its first full time employee and manager beginning in 1954.
At one point in his childhood Jack and his family moved into an apartment behind the Munks’ home where be became accustomed to hearing about the credit union and its members’ stories. Those stories shaped the kind of CEO Jack would become. Jack’s family lived and breathed the credit union philosophy of “members helping members” long before Jack could really understand the magnitude of volunteerism and what it would mean for him and how it would affect the work he was meant to do for credit unions. He was able to instill this same drive in the people that he has worked with at Financial Plus Credit Union over his career.
Jack officially began his credit union career on May 1, 1976 when he was hired as a manager trainee at Glass Workers Credit Union in Ottawa. Three years later Jack was promoted to president of Glass Workers CU and worked to change it to a community charter so it could serve the many groups asking for membership. The name was changed to reflect the community charter to Financial Plus.
Jack feels very strongly about community involvement and his staff works tirelessly to support local events and projects. His commitment to financial literacy is evident in the many Junior Achievement class his staff teaches and in the programs they offer to those with little means.
Jack also believes in getting involved with other credit unions through volunteering at the Chapter level. He has held many positions within the Tri-County Chapter since 1978, including Youth Involvement Rep, Legislative Forum Rep, ICU Foundation Rep, Chapter Board Member and Illinois Credit Union League Director.
Jack was honored by being named “Executive of the Year” in 1982 and 2000 by the Illinois Credit Union Executive Society. Financial Plus Credit Union has also won the distinguished US Chamber of Commerce Small Business Award for excellence in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009.
In addition, Financial Plus Credit Union has won 1st or 2nd place in the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award for the last seventeen years.
Jack has always been the kind of volunteer that serves others without expecting anything in return. He strongly believes that everyone should give back to their community.
To say that Jack has been involved in the credit union movement is an understatement. He has been involved with the Illinois Credit Union League for more that 30 years. He has held various positions to include the prestigious position of Chairman of the Board in 2004 and 2005.
Jack was inspired after attending his first Government Affairs Conference some 30 years ago. Since that time Jack has put his heart and soul into the credit union movement. He has done an outstanding job legislatively on both a national and state level, to ensure that credit unions remain a healthy and viable option for consumers.
Jack has been part of historic events such as Operation Grassroots in 1991 and a rally in 1998 to pass HR1151, the Credit Union Membership Access Act. He has represented Illinois credit unions in Springfield and served thirteen years on the CUPAC Board of Directors (Credit Union Political Action Committee). Jack also served on CUNA’s Renaissance Commission in 2000 and 2001.
Jack has dedicated many hours of service to ensure Financial Plus Credit Union is a strong community credit union in LaSalle, Grundy, Bureau and Putnam counties. The credit union now has over $204 million dollars in assets and more than 23,000 members.
More importantly he has devoted and dedicated more than half of his life to the credit union movement on a national and state level to ensure that all people have a place to come where they feel respected, valued and able to conduct their financial business.
Jack Teausant is a role model for credit union leaders and has served as an inspiration for his board, staff and community.
George Tinnes spent nearly four decades supporting the credit union movement as both a volunteer and employee. His service is remembered today as we memorialize him in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame. He was a contemporary of Willard King and worked with legislators in Springfield on behalf of credit unions.
Tinnes was also employed as an accountant by the Chicago & North Western Railway. At the end of 1928, he helped form the employee credit union and became its first secretary. Later he became its treasurer and manager, while retaining his regular job at the railroad.
In 1932 Tinnes was elected to the Illinois Credit Union League board. He served on the executive committee. In April of the following year, he became the first vice chair of the newly formed Northern Illinois Chapter of Credit Unions.
Then in June of 1941, George was recruited by DeRamus as a field representative for northern Illinois. It was a pivotal decision for a conservative human being. Tinnes opted for the riskier league over the secure railroad career.
In 1958 Tinnes was promoted to director of field services. He reorganized the territories and responsibilities. He served in this capacity until his retirement. Tinnes remained a consultant to the league up until his death.
Tinnes is well remembered for the many interesting educational sessions he organized at the Sherman Hotel. Standing-room-only sessions served as a tribute to his ability to make the topic of supervision come to life. Tinnes was an outstanding teacher and facilitator.
With Chuck Schumacher, Tinnes worked closely with the Chicago Mayor’s Commission for New Residents to establish the first credit union for Chicago Housing Authority tenants. The Rockwell Gardens-Maplewood Court Credit Union was issued its charter by the DFI on October 25, 1962.
The Blackhawk Chapter changed its name to the George J. Tinnes Chapter in 1967. Tinnes took many courageous steps serving Illinois credit unions during his lifetime.
Fifty years of service to the credit union movement is a remarkable achievement by a visionary, Chester F. Urban. We are proud to honor him in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Urban has served credit unions as a leader at local, state and national levels. Chet started out as volunteer treasurer in the Illinois Zinc Employees Federal Credit Union in 1946 and helped make it fiscally sound. During those years, he also held the public office of city council member in Peru.
As a credit union officer, he regularly attended the Tri County Chapter meetings and held every chapter office. Chet stated that “Back then, if you didn’t go to the chapter meeting, you didn’t know what was going on.”
In 1963 Urban became the first professional treasurer and manager of Illiana Federal Credit Union. He opened its first small office. Two years later, Urban left the credit union to join the Illinois Credit Union League as a field representative.
While at the league, he moderated the credit union planning sessions. Chet also assisted many credit unions by helping them improve their financial picture. He helped reorganize the field as assistant managing director. Chet was promoted to the position of vice president of Credit Union Development at the Illinois Credit Union League in 1974.
Then in 1983, Chet retired from the league and returned to his first credit union love, Illiana Federal Credit Union, as SEG director. He added over three-hundred small companies servicing the new members day or night.
Urban was a representative to the World Council of Credit Unions. In this capacity, he was assigned to Bermuda to facilitate financial improvement in credit unions that were insolvent there.
Chet Urban is an advisor and a friend to many in the credit union movement. And he has made many friends for the movement in local and national government. He is a wonderful example of people helping people, both at home and abroad.
Dave Walker was with Decatur Earthmover Credit Union for 27 years. Under his leadership the Decatur Caterpillar Employees Credit Union grew from a function of Caterpillar’s accounting department to an over $200 million full service financial institution with more than 26,000 members. And during that time the credit union made a lasting impact on the community.
Dave’s leadership style is one of quiet strength. Shunning the spotlight for himself, he encourages and supports staff to step up and become involved in making the credit union the best it can be for members and for the community. From serving on the Chapter board, a community organization or a state agency, Dave backs his employees 100%.
Dave leads by example and encourages a “be the best you can be” mentality. In 2007 the credit union provided 600 volunteer hours to the community. The credit union allowed 12 hours per employee of work time to help accomplish this goal.
Dave has served on the board of the Northwest Baseball/Softball Association and is currently an Easter Seals board member. He also delivers meals on wheels, participates in local food drives, donates blood and serves dinners at local shelters.
Although Dave is a behind the scenes kind of guy, he is well known as the face of the credit union. He is well known throughout the community and a trip to the mall can result in numerous finance related questions from members.
Dave’s own commitment to the credit union and the community has inspired his staff to give of themselves as well. Employees currently serve as Big Brothers, scout leaders, fundraisers, Junior Achievement teachers, room mothers and a host of other community related activities.
Dave is a leader in many ways. He has grown his credit to a position of strength financially. Decatur Earthmover Credit Union is considered one of the leading credit unions in Illinois. In addition, his “people helping philosophy is personified in his strong support of staff and community.
Bohdan Watral, during his tenure as President and CEO of Selfreliance Federal Credit Union, Bohdan utilized an effective approach to partnership building and teamwork, which allowed Selfreliance to develop into a leading-edge, efficient financial institution. Under Bohdan’s leadership, Selfreliance has grown in assets from $32 million in 1980 to over $589 million, as well as having significant growth in membership and reserves, making Selfreliance one of the most well capitalized credit unions in the United States. He has also successfully expanded the credit union to ten full-service facilities in Illinois, New Jersey and Michigan.
Bohdan has an undying commitment to his members, staff and community. Selfreliance assisted in constructing community churches, cultural centers, and museums providing support to Ukrainian publications, on-air media and Ukrainian heritage schools. The credit union also contributes nearly $600,000 annually to provide financial assistance to various community organizations which are supported by the credit union’s members and strong Ukrainian heritage.
When Tom Welsh retired as a league director from the Kankakee Chapter in 1991, he was recognized for his credit union achievements that spanned 27 years. Welsh has been active in the credit union movement at various levels. He always gave his best, no matter what responsibility he held.
In his native LaSalle, Illinois, Welsh began his credit union career as treasurer of EUC Employees Credit Union. Two years later, he became manager of Federal Paper Board Employees Credit Union in Morris. A decade passed before he became president and chief executive officer of General Foods Employees Credit Union (now Commonwealth Credit Union in Kankakee).
During those years, Tom was elected to the league board from the Tri County Chapter and later from the Kankakee Valley Chapter. In total, he served for nearly a quarter of a century holding offices that included both vice president and league board chair from 1977 to 1979.
Simultaneously, Welsh was elected to the board of the ICUL Service Corp. and served as president from 1974 to 1980. He was a part of the executive committee of Mid-States Corporate Federal Credit Union from 1975 to 1982, serving as secretary, vice president, vice chair and chair.
Welsh was a CUNA director from 1973 to 1985, acting as an alternate and then designated delegate. During those years, he was elected as treasurer, first vice chair and chair.
Tom was a member of the Credit Union Founders Club, having organized two credit unions. He was also a member of the Cooperative League of the United States, serving on its board, the Central Committee of the International Cooperative Alliance and the Membership Council of the World Council of Credit Unions.
Welsh gave generously of his time and talents to the credit union movement and his community. He was active in the Kankakee Chamber of Commerce, serving on its education and economic committees. Tom was a member of the finance committee of Wesley United Methodist Church in Bradley where he was past treasurer. He is a member and past-president of the Kankakee Consumer Credit Association and former member of the Consumer Commission, serving Kankakee, Bradley and Bourbonnais. Welsh has also been active in the Boy Scouts.
Tom served on the Governor’s Credit Union Advisory Board for the State of Illinois. We are fortunate to have such an energetic person in the credit union movement. We applaud Tom Welsh today as he is inducted into the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Donald Wemhoener is a person whose daily life is devoted to helping others. He epitomizes the credit union philosophy of people helping people through his tireless efforts to make the lives of those he touches better.
Don has devoted a quarter of a century to the credit union movement and is rightly honored as an Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame Award recipient. He was manager and treasurer of the Moorman Employees Credit Union from 1955 to 1979. Wemhoener was a member of that board for 25 years.
Wemhoener served as president of the Quincy Chapter board in 1962 and 1963. He later served as its treasurer in 1969. He became a board member of the Quincy Chapter Credit Union in 1969.
In 1964 Wemhoener was elected to the Illinois Credit Union League board from the Quincy Chapter. He was on the league scholarship committee in 1967 and served as its chair from 1979 to 1980. Don was present at the signing of the Recodified Illinois Credit Union Act on August 30, 1979.
Don was a member of the Governor’s Board of Credit Union Advisors from 1973 to 1981. Wemhoener was on the Illinois Council of CUES, serving as president in 1968.
Wemhoener is well known and respected in the Quincy area. He is a lifelong member of the Lutheran church there. Don is an avid trout fisher. Wemhoener was involved in scouting and in 1959 was awarded the highest honor given to an adult, the Silver Bronze Award.
People helping people describes Ann Whan perfectly! Whan has spent the past 36 years devoting her life to others through the credit union movement she so strongly supports.
Whan founded the St. Francis Hospital Employees Credit Union in 1955, serving on the board from its inception until 1991. She served as president from 1963 to 1980. Ann held these voluntary positions while she was the associate director of personnel at St. Francis Medical Center.
With a strong commitment to the credit union movement, it was natural for Ann to become active in the Peoria Chapter. There she served on the board and became its first female president in 1970, a remarkable achievement at that time.
Whan has always been active in her profession and her community. She served on the Red Cross Peoria Chapter board, handling volunteer and blood services for them. She had pioneered the formation of the Hospital Personnel Management Association, a national organization for personnel directors.
Since her retirement, Whan volunteers on two condominium boards. She is a dedicated volunteer at school as a storyteller, at the library, at local hospitals and at church in various ministries. Whan is currently a starter at a country club golf course.
Ann has spent her life helping people in all of her activities. We applaud Whan’s efforts in the Peoria area as a veritable leader in the movement. She truly belongs in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Working to promote the credit union spirit in the Peru area for nearly four decades earns Marlene D. Zamin a special place in the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame. Zamin began her involvement by helping her father, Harvey Dittle, who was one of the founders of the Illinois Valley Credit Union in 1955.
Zamin served as president and chief executive officer of the Illinois Valley Credit Union for 22 years. She was a member of the board as well, invariably holding the office of treasurer.
The Tri County Chapter of Credit Unions has boasted her help during the same 22 years. There she held every office, including president. Marlene was a member of the Credit Union Executives Society and graduated from the CUNA School for Credit Union Personnel in 1977. She also served as a league director for 22 years.
Marlene joined hundreds of credit union supporters in the 1991 March on the Mall in Washington to rally support for credit union uniqueness. She has been involved in the legislative process and has interviewed candidates in her chapter.
Locally, Zamin served on the board of the Illinois Valley Area Chamber of Commerce for eight years. She has served as a loaned executive for the United Way in her area. When her children were younger, she participated in scouts and in school organizations. Most recently, Marlene is assisting with PADS, a homeless shelter. She is a lifetime member of Holy Family Church in Oglesby.
We honor an individual who cares for her family, her friends and especially her credit union family. Zamin has shown the way to help those we touch every day of our lives.
Throughout her career, Ann Dubie dedicated her life to helping people by giving over 40 years of service to the credit union movement. She served on several leadership committees at the state and national level and helped to shape the future of the credit union movement. In March 2021, Ann retired after serving as the President & CEO of NuMark Credit Union for 20 years.
Under her leadership, NuMark has maintained a strong capital ratio, grown to over $325 million in assets and opened three branch locations. NuMark Credit Union is currently ranked as one of the Top 200 Credit Unions in the United States placing 107 out of 5,321 credit unions according to DepositAccounts.com and has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Sharing her talents with the community, Ann served on the University of St Francis Alumni Board of Directors as well as the Board of the Joliet Regional Chamber of Commerce and was active in the Tinley Park, New Lenox and Countryside Chambers of Commerce. She also served on the Illinois Credit Union Foundation Board, the ICUL LSC Board as well as CUNA Mutual’s Owner’s Advisory Board and the Region CU Council.
During her tenure, NuMark has received multiple state and national awards including CUNA’s Dora Maxell Community Service Awards and Desjardins Financial Literacy Awards. Ann is a passionate champion of the “people helping people” credit union philosophy, so NuMark has supported many national and local charities.
As one of the first Illinois contributors to the national Credit Union Awareness Campaign, Ann believed in the credit union difference. She recognized that credit unions should not be one of the best-kept financial secrets. As credit unions, we are member-owned, not-for-profit and dedicated to serving our members. That focus helps credit unions make the world a better place. We need to encourage all consumers to consider a credit union for their financial needs.
Not only did Ann dedicate her career to the credit union movement, but she has also been a strong advocate for women. Ann often said, “you are only as good as your team.” She led by example finding and cultivating future credit union leaders. She built a solid senior management team that worked together to lead the credit union. She has always made a tremendous effort to make sure employees felt like family. Many staff members credit Ann for providing them an opportunity to achieve their professional goals. Her generosity, compassion and commitment are unmatched.
As NuMark continues to grow, Ann’s passion for service and her dedication to our members will always be a part of the NuMark Family. NuMark’s mission is to enrich the financial lives of our members. We will continue to help our members achieve their financial dreams, provide professional growth for our staff and enhance the communities in which we serve.
For over 34 years, Stephen Olson has worked closely with Illinois credit unions, large and small, serving as the principal legal adviser to the board of Directors and senior management at the Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL). Steve’s tenure with the Illinois Credit Union League began in 1984 when he was hired by then CEO/President Dan Plauda as General Counsel to direct the corporate legal affairs for the ICU System, including ICUL, ICUL Service Corporation (LSC), MidStates Corporate FCU, CUPAC, and the Illinois Credit Union Foundation.
During his years of service at the League, Steve has become a legend with credit unions in Illinois, as he has been a tireless advocate to make the best operating environment for credit unions in the country. Steve’s proudest accomplishment has been the development of mutually beneficial relationships with lawmakers, lobbyists, agencies, and other trade associations, especially affiliated with banks. Steve’s cooperative approach is something unique in the nation and the Illinois Credit Union League has benefitted by having good relations with groups that could have fought his substantial legislative gains for credit unions.
Steve has been the epitome of dedication, commitment, and professionalism throughout his career while serving as a staunch advocate for credit unions. He is known by credit unions, legislators, regulators, lobbyists, and vendors to be a tireless and effective negotiator who can be counted on to get the best resolution possible for credit unions. Steve has provided guidance to credit unions on complex issues involving the passage or defeat of legislative initiatives, promulgation of regulatory standards, and negotiation of transactional and corporate matters.
Highlights of Steve’s many accomplishments include annual legislative enhancements to credit union statutory powers, successful prosecution of a regulatory fee case that has returned over $20 million to Illinois credit unions since 2009, passage of state regulatory exam fairness and due process standards, implementation of the LSC ATM network, negotiation of LSC card programs that established the EZ Launch Program with its unique CUSO source of funding, and creation of Services Credit Union with a special national field of membership to support the LSC programs.
Prior to joining the ICU System, Steve was in private practice in Galesburg, Illinois, where his focus involved general corporate, municipal, commercial, bankruptcy, and consumer finance law. He graduated with honors from St. Olaf College and received his law degree from the University of Iowa. He is licensed to practice in Illinois and Iowa and is a member of the Illinois and Iowa state bar associations and American Bankruptcy Institute. Steve served on the Commercial Banking and Bankruptcy Law Section Council of the Illinois State Bar Association (1996-2008), and as its Chairman (2006-2007), as well as legislative committee chair.
Spenny’s career began at a bank in 1986. The bank he worked for was bought by another bank, and then bought again a few years later. Frustrated with the situation, someone shared the credit union philosophy with Spenny. That is when he decided the Credit Union mission and vision better aligned with him and his values. Spenny transitioned to CEFCU in 1993. He worked at CEFCU 28 years, 15 of which he was the CEO/President, all the while being member and community focused, spreading the credit union mission. Spenny retired April 29, 2021.
During Spenny’s career with CEFCU, he directed the Credit Union’s growth through continued expansion in the Bloomington-Normal, Decatur, and Springfield areas as well as the addition of the San Jose, California, and Illinois Metro East markets to CEFCU’s field of membership. CEFCU also focused on member service and member account access through the addition and enhancement of convenience services like CEFCU On-Line, CEFCU Mobile Banking, and online account opening and loan application. Continued community leadership was also reinforced, with members of the CEFCU team encouraged to give back and be active in the communities the Credit Union serves.
Expanding assets by close to $4 billion, and increasing membership growth, with nearly 127,000 new members joining the Credit Union since 2006, Spenny also oversaw the distribution of $345 million in Extraordinary Dividends to members.
During expansion and product enhancements, Spenny always sought how to better serve members, provide value and cost savings to all.