The National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions has named eight winners in its 2021 Annual Awards Competition, honoring member credit unions and credit union professionals and volunteers for excellence and achievement in the industry.
The awards include CEO of the Year, Professional of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Credit Union of the Year. Each award has two categories based on asset-size, $250 million or less, and more than $250 million.
“This year’s award winners have truly exemplified the credit union mission,” NAFCU Awards Committee Chair Melanie Kennedy, president and CEO of Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union, said in a release. “Over the past year, they provided pivotal services to their communities as the nation faced financial hardships associated with the coronavirus pandemic. NAFCU is honored to recognize these winners for representing the credit union industry and providing immeasurable support to both their communities and credit union members.”
CEO of the Year winners are Paula Lehn, FAST Federal Credit Union ($250 million or less) and Chris Rutledge, Gulf Winds Credit Union (more than $250 million); Professional of the Year winners are Armand Parvazi, New Orleans Fireman's Federal Credit Union ($250 million or less) and Julie Gamblin, True Sky Credit Union (more than $250 million); Volunteer of the Year winners are Myles Dunn, Local 804 Credit Union ($250 million or less) and Anthony Taylor, Ascend Federal Credit Union (more than $250 million); and Credit Union of the Year winners are New Orleans Fireman’s Federal Credit Union ($250 million or less) and Michigan First Credit Union (more than $250 million).