Robert Cashman is a third generation credit union executive. During his 24 year credit union career, he has been involved with the Massachusetts Credit Union League in numerous capacities, including currently being Chairman and a member of the Legislative Committee. He has also served as a Director of the Central Credit Union Fund, America’s first corporate credit union.

He currently serves on the Credit Union National Association and CUNA Strategic Services, Inc., Boards of Directors.

Bill Cheney has broad experience within the credit union movement, having begun his career during 1987 in Texas (his home state) with Security Service FCU in San Antonio (today holding more than $5 billion in assets and 600,000 members).

Ten years later (in 1997), after achieving the position of executive vice president, Cheney was named president and CEO of Xerox FCU (today known as Xceed FCU) in El Segundo, Calif. During nine years at the helm of the credit union, Cheney guided the credit union’s growth to more than $800 million in assets (from $350 million), growing the credit union’s membership to include operations in nine states, including California, New York, Florida, Texas and Illinois.

Also while at XFCU, Cheney was elected to the board of directors of the National Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU), a national trade group representing the interests of only federally chartered credit unions.

In 2006. the California/Nevada Credit Union Leagues tapped Cheney as their president and CEO. While overseeing the combined organizations’ operations, Cheney is credited with building the Leagues’ affiliation while improving their operational efficiencies.

Additionally, he has served as Treasurer of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL), Chairman of the CUNA World Leadership Development Committee, member of the board of trustees of the Western CUNA Management School, member of the board of directors of the Richard Myles Johnson Foundation, and joined World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) delegations to Mexico, Poland, China, and Haiti.

Cheney holds a BBA (finance) from the University of Texas (Austin). He has attended the "Advanced Leadership Institute" at Harvard Business School (sponsored by the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES) /California Credit Union League (CCUL)), and the CUES Director’s Leadership Institute at the London Business School. He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

An Eagle Scout, Cheney is a member of the National Eagle Scout Association and has been active in local Boy Scouts of America councils. He has served as a board member of the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles (and previously in San Antonio, Texas), volunteers with organizations such as Heal the Bay (Santa Monica, Calif.) and the Peninsula Education Foundation. He has also served as a guest lecturer at Pepperdine University.

Stephen G. Behler is the President/CEO of Kemba Credit Union in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a 32 year veteran of the credit union. The credit union posts assets in excess of $463 million and operates ten full service facilities with 160 employees.

Steve has been active in all areas of the credit union movement including the Ohio Credit Union League, Credit Union Executive Society, NASCUS and the Cincinnati Chapter of the Ohio Credit Union League. Steve earned the designation of Certified Chief Executive (CCE) after graduating from a three-year educational program through the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES). He attended the business schools at the University of California at Berkley, Cornell University and the University of Virginia during the CUES CEO Institute. Steve was nominated and later named the 1999 CUES Operations Professional of the Year.

Steve has served as Chair of the Ohio Credit Union League, the Ohio Credit Union League Service Corp, Ohio Credit Union League Political Action Committee and Ohio Credit Union Foundation. He is a current director of the Ohio Credit Union League and member of the Executive Committee. Steve chairs the Ohio Government Affairs Committee and is a current member of the Ohio Defense Coalition.

Steve is a member of the Credit Union Executive Council for the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors and holds the position of secretary. He also is a Board Member of the West Chester Chamber of Commerce.

Steve is married to his lovely wife, Cathy, and they are blessed with five children. Steve is active in his church and coached a number of school athletic teams. He is the past chairman of the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Council. Steve participates in the HOST Mentoring Program in Cincinnati. He mentors students once a week at a local grade school. Steve attended the University of Cincinnati.

Pete Dzuris is President/CEO of Northland Area Federal Credit Union, in Oscoda, Michigan. He has served in this capacity since August of 2006. He has experience in the same capacity at two credit unions in the prior eight years. His affiliation with credit unions began as the Vice President of Finance at Michigan Catholic Credit Union in 1995. His total credit union and financial institution experience totals more than 15 years.

Pete is actively involved in the credit union movement. In addition to serving on CUNA’s board of directors, he currently serves on several other boards of directors, including the Michigan Credit Union League’s (MCUL’s) wholly-owned subsidiary, CUcorp, as Vice Chairman of CU Village, and on the Michigan Council of the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES). His involvement spans across several task forces for the MCUL, including the Education Needs, Bankruptcy, and Business Services Task Forces, and for the CUNA Community CU Committee as Chairman and the Finance Committee. He serves as a member of the Blue Ox Chapter Executive Committee and has also served in the Mid Michigan Chapter, most recently as Treasurer and in prior years as the Legislative Forum Representative.

Pete has been active in his community as well. As a member of the Midland Kiwassee Kiwanis, he served on their board of directors, as chairman of their fundraising committee, as well as joint chairman of the membership committee. Pete has served as an adjunct faculty member at Delta College in Saginaw and Midland, Michigan, teaching evening business courses.

Pete holds a Bachelors Degree in Accounting and a Masters Degree in Finance, both received at Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration in Troy, Michigan. He has earned his certificate for credit union compliance through CUNA’s CUCE program. Prior affiliations include membership in the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants, the Detroit branch of the National Association of Business Economists, and the CUNA CFO Council.

Gene Foley is president and CEO of Harvard University Employees Credit Union, serving the faculty, staff, students and alumni of Harvard University and its affiliates. In his career with the Harvard Credit Union, Gene was promoted from vice president to CEO in 1994 and appointed president in 1997. He serves as a director and past Chairman of the Massachusetts Credit Union League, as the Chairman of the CUNA Bank Secrecy Act Task Force, as a member of the CUNA Exam and Supervisory Committee, as board member of Payment Systems for Credit Unions, as a Trustee of the Central Credit Union Fund Foundation, as a past contributor and Advisory Board member of the Banker & Tradesman newspaper, and as an appointee to the Massachusetts Fair Lending Task Force. Gene has worked with a number of Harvard faculty on national consumer finance issues and developed and teaches a financial literacy program for Harvard students. He has provided Congressional testimony on behalf of the credit union industry and is also very active in local and national legislative and housing initiatives. Gene holds a bachelor's degree from Boston University and a master's in business administration from Babson College.

Laida Garcia is President/CEO of floridacentral Credit Union, headquartered in Tampa, Florida. floridacentral is 43,000 members strong with assets of $312 million, and operates nine branch offices located throughout the west coast of Florida. The credit union has received notable recognition in the areas of member service, community involvement and commitment to the principles and ideals of credit union philosophy. It is recipient of the Roy F. Bergengren Award for High Achievement, the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Recognition Award, and the Louise Herring Award for Philosophy in Action.

In addition to serving as a CUNA Board Member, Garcia serves on several CUNA committees, including Finance and Hispanic Outreach. She is Vice Chairman of the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) and chairs its Fundraising Committee. Additionally, Garcia is a member of the Filene Research Council and of WOCCU’s Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) Advisory Group. She represents Florida as NASCUS State Liaison and is a past Chairman of the Florida Credit Union League, now known as the League of Southeastern Credit Unions.

Garcia holds degrees in Communications and Business Administration from the University of South Florida.

Since July 16, 1990, John has been the President/CEO of Kentucky Employees Credit Union in Frankfort, KY. Under his leadership, the credit union has transformed from a "mom & pop" credit union to a full service financial institution. Assets and loans have tripled, introduction of numerous new products & services, and the transition from a 500 square foot office in a state government facility to a 10,000 square foot main office facility.

Prior to coming to KECU, John served as the Director of the Division of Support Services for the Kentucky Horse Park as well as Equine Lending Office for First Security Bank. His first job out of college was watering trees on a 1,000+ acre horse farm where he was promoted to mucking stalls.

John has been very active on both the local, state, and national credit union scene. He is an active member of the Blue Grass Chapter and served as President for two years. He has served on the Kentucky Credit Union League Board since 1993. He has served as Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. He has been or currently serves on the following committees: Annual Meeting (Chair), Awards (Chair), Education, Finance, Governmental Affairs, Personnel, and several ad hoc committees. He has also been a member of the Kycul Board. On the national level, he has served on the CUNA Board representing District 2, Class A credit unions since September 2005. He has been or currently serves on the following committees: Audit, Corporate Governance, Evaluation Review, Ethics, Small Credit Union, and State Credit Union Subcommittee. He has been a member of CUES since 1994.

In 2000, John was presented the Kentucky Credit Union League's Frank Moore Professional Award. This is the highest award presented to a credit union professional by the League.

KECU has won the Kentucky Dora Maxwell Award in their asset category every year since 2000 and finished second nationally in 2002. KECU won the Kentucky Louise Herring Award in their asset category this year.

John graduated from the University of Kentucky in May, 1981 with a B.S. in Accounting. He has completed all of the STAR & MERIT modules plus some AIB courses.

Roger Heacock is president and CEO of Black Hills Federal Credit Union in Rapid City, South Dakota, a community-chartered credit union serving five counties. Heacock has been involved in the credit union movement for 35 years, serving as president of BHFCU for 27 years. Under Heacock’s leadership, BHFCU has grown from $20 million in assets to $850 million.

Heacock has been active on the local, state, and national levels. In addition to serving as a CUNA Board member, Heacock also serves on CUNA’s Community Credit Union Committee, Audit Committee, and recently their Field of Membership (FOM) Task Force. Heacock also had the unique opportunity to represent the credit union industry when he testified on CUNA’s behalf before the House of Representative’s Small Business Committee in 2009. Heacock served on the National Association of Community Credit Unions (NACCU) Board for 5 years; South Dakota Credit Union League Board for 26 years, serving as chairman for 4 years; and the South Dakota Credit Union League Services Corporation Board for more than 20 years. Heacock is a past recipient of the Credit Union Professional of the Year Award from the South Dakota Credit Union League.

Heacock is involved in numerous community endeavors, and serves on the board of directors of the Rapid City Rushmore Rotary Club, Skyline Drive Preservation, Inc., and Black Hills Runners Club.

Paul Gentile is the president/CEO of the New Jersey Credit Union League, the state trade association for New Jersey’s credit unions. New Jersey is home to 200 credit unions serving 1.2 million credit union members and with a combined $10 billion in assets. Gentile has helped re-energize the New Jersey Credit Union League by launching new branding efforts, programs and political action.

NJCUL's "Banking You Can Trust" consumer awareness campaign is one of the most successful awareness campaigns in the country. New Jersey is consistently one of the top states for generating visits to FindaCreditUnion.com, fueled by its multi-media "Banking You Can Trust" campaign. He is a passionate advocate for giving consumers the basics on credit unions, and not overwhelming them with our own industry jargon.

NJCUL is a noted industry leader in the areas of social media and communications. NJCUL publishes a daily and weekly newsletter and has won CUNA's Blockbuster awards for "Best Use of Social Media" as well as "Best Online Newsletter."

Prior to his role with NJCUL, Gentile served as the editor and publisher of Credit Union Times, (1997-2007) a national weekly publication covering the credit union movement. He is a well-known figure in the credit union industry and has written hundreds of stories on all aspects of the industry. _Gentile believes credit unions play a vital role in the financial services industry by offering consumers a low-cost, high quality financial experience. He is an advocate of regulatory flexibility for credit unions so they can provide their services to more consumers.

Prior to joining Credit Union Times, Gentile was an editor with New Jersey Business Magazine. (1995-1997). He is a graduate of the University of Delaware (1994) and resides in Matawan, New Jersey with his wife Janet and twin 6 year-old boys Joseph and Christopher.

Jury was named president and chief executive officer of the Iowa Credit Union League in 2006. He joined the credit union movement in 1989 as vice president, government affairs and then as COO of the Iowa Credit Union League. He also serves as the CEO/Chairman of Affiliates Management Company; chairs the boards of Community Business Lenders and TMG Financial Services; and was elected to the CUNA Board of Directors in 2009 . In addition, he represents credit unions on the executive committee and board of directors of SHAZAM, Inc., the state’s EFT organization for financial institutions. Jury is the past president of the Iowa Society of Association Executives and currently serves on the Local Selective Service Board. Jury formerly served as a board member of CUNA Strategic Services and was an executive committee member of the Iowa Taxpayers Association. He earned a master’s degree in public administration from Drake University, is a graduate of the Institute for Organizational Management Program at Stanford University and has achieved the Certified Association Executive Designation (CAE) from the American Society of Association Executives. Jury and his wife Cathy have one son, Maxwell.

Sandy began serving credit unions in 1974 and has managed four different credit unions. She is now CEO of Clinchfield Federal Credit Union in Erwin, Tennessee. When she began in 1977, CFCU was $1.6M in assets with 1,200 members. Today, CFCU is a $56M credit union with 6,100 members.

Sandy achieved her Certified Credit Union Executive designation in 1991 and served on the Board of Directors of ICCUE. She also has served as Chairman of the Tennessee Credit Union League Board of Directors and is currently a member of the board of directors for CUNA and the National Credit Union Foundation.

Locally, she serves on the board of directors of the Monroe Foundation and is active in and a past board member of Kiwanis. Sandy and Grady have been married for 37 years and have three children, Jamie, Lisa and Julie and one perfect grandchild, Jacob. She enjoys participating in church activities and enjoys baking bread, basket weaving, making jewelry, painting and water aerobics.

Wendell Lyons is President/CEO of the Kentucky Credit Union League and Affiliates, a position that he has held since January 2000. As President, he is responsible for the day to day operations of the League, KYCUL Services, Inc, and Credit Union Centers of Kentucky. A 25 year employee of the League, he previously held the positions of VP Public Relations & Governmental Affairs, and Executive Vice President. Prior to joining the League, he was employed by the Fort Knox Federal Credit Union from July 1976 to December 1985.

Currently, he serves as the 2nd Vice Chair of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues, and is a member of the Credit Union Legislative Action Council Executive Committee.

He was a member of Adolph Rupp’s last two basketball teams at The University of Kentucky in 1970-71 and 1971-72. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from The University of Louisville.

He and his wife, Donna has been married for 35 years. They have two adult children, Stephanie Vroman of Downers Grove, IL, and Brandon Lyons of Louisville, KY. They have three grandchildren, Nicholas and Jacob Vroman, and Madison Lyons.

Brett Martinez is President & Chief Executive Officer of Redwood Credit Union, the North Bay’s largest credit union. Mr. Martinez oversees all aspects of the Credit Union, which serves 180,000 Members with $1.7 billion in assets.

Mr. Martinez has more than 25 years of credit union experience and has served as a Senior Executive for both the California Credit Union League and a large Southern California credit union prior to joining Redwood Credit Union in 2002. Mr. Martinez holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration from California State University/San Bernardino. He is also a graduate of Western CUNA Management School class of 1994.

Mr. Martinez served as the 2008-2009 Chairman of the Board of the California Credit Union League and serves on several League committees, including the Corporate Realignment Task Force. In 2009, he was honored with the James D. Likens Alumni Recognition founded by the Alumni Association of Western CUNA Management School. Mr. Martinez serves on the WCMS Board of Trustees and CUNA’s World Leadership Development Committee. He is the Fundraising Coordinator for Credit Unions for Kids in the Bay Area and has served on the Credit Unions for Kids National Advisory Board. Mr. Martinez was presented with the Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes outstanding service and dedication to the credit union community and volunteer and charitable efforts, at the California Credit Union League’s 2010 Annual Meeting and Conference.

He is an active participant in the community, serving on a variety of non-profit, community and industry boards. Currently, he is a Board member of RCU Services Group, the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce and North Bay Leadership Council, and was co-Chair of the 2010 Start! North Bay Heart Walk. Mr. Martinez was recently recognized as the North Bay’s Best Community Business Leader by readers of Northbay biz magazine, a business publication serving California’s North Bay Area, and was presented with the “Caught in the Act of Leadership” award by the North Bay Leadership Council.

Brett Martinez and his wife Theresa reside in Santa Rosa with their two sons. He enjoys golf, tennis, boating and spending time with his family.

Marla S. Marsh is President/CEO of the Kansas Credit Union Association, assuming this position in October of 1996. The primary responsibilities of the Association are lobbying and governmental affairs on both the state and national level, public relations and communications, managerial and operational support and education and training of management, staff and volunteers of Kansas’ 117 credit unions.

Marsh currently serves as a board member from District 5 for the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), as vice chair of CUNA’s Examination and Supervision Subcommittee and a member of CUNA’s Audit Committee. She is an executive committee member of the Kansas Cooperative Council, member of the Wichita State University Economic Outlook Team and is also a member of the American Association of Credit Union League’s (AACUL) State Issues Advocacy Committee.

Marsh has been involved with credit unions since 1980 in four states—Ohio, Illinois, New York and Kansas—in various capacities including governmental affairs, consulting, business planning, education and public relations. Prior to working with credit unions, Marsh was a secondary education teacher, utilizing her B.S. degree in education and business from The Ohio State University.

Harriet May is President and CEO of GECU. Throughout her 35 years at GECU, May has made a positive impact on the credit union movement locally, nationally, and internationally. She has volunteered her time to serve on the boards of Town North National Bank (the only U.S. bank owned solely by credit unions), the Credit Union National Association, the Filene Institute Research Council, and the World Council of Credit Unions.

May assumed the chairmanship of CUNA in June 2010

Mike Mercer is currently the President/CEO of Georgia Credit Union Affiliates. In this capacity, he is responsible for the state trade association and several other state-level credit union support organizations. Mr. Mercer has represented the interests of Georgia credit unions in numerous ways for more than two decades.

In addition to his responsibilities with the Georgia credit union movement, Mr. Mercer is actively engaged in regional and national cooperative efforts. He is currently serving as Vice Chairman on the CUNA Board of Directors. He served on the board of the National Cooperative Bank, and was named as the first chairman from the credit union sector in 2003. He has served as a board member of U.S. Central Credit Union and as a member of CUNA Mutual Group's Research and Advisory Committee. In December 1998, Mr. Mercer was elected as chairman of the Association of Credit Union League Executives. Over the years, there have been numerous other board and committee appointments at state, regional and national credit union credit union support organizations.

In the early 1990's, Mr. Mercer was instrumental in forging a partnership between the Georgia credit union system and the emerging credit union system in Poland. He was recognized for his work in March, 2004 by the National Association of Polish Credit Unions. Mr. Mercer was recognized for his work with Georgia credit unions as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, Mr. Mercer is a recipient of the Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award and the AACUL Eagle Award.

Mr. Mercer came to Georgia in 1980 as President of Georgia Central Credit Union. He was named to his present position in 1985. In 1979, Mr. Mercer served as assistant to the manager at U.S.Central Credit Union in Kansas City. Mr. Mercer studied economics at the University of Rhode Island and earned his Master's degree in Banking and Finance at the University of Wisconsin. He is married with three children and makes his home near Atlanta, Georgia.

William J. Mellin is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Credit Union Association of New York. He is responsible for overseeing the Association and its affiliated entities including Covera Card Solutions, CUC Mortgage Corporation, UsNet shared branching services and the New York Credit Union Foundation.

He serves on the board of directors of Credit Union National Association, CUNA Strategic Services, Inc., the Credit Union Service Corporation, Credit Union House in Washington, DC and League InfoSight Corporation.  He also serves as Chairman for the Executive Committee of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues.

Prior to being appointed CEO, William was the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of CUC Mortgage Corporation.

A native of New York, William grew up in the New York City metropolitan area. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Curry College in Milton, MA.

Winona Nava is President/CEO of Guadalupe Credit Union and has served the credit union industry for 31 years. This service includes Chair of the CUANM Board of Directors and the Credit Union Chapter. She currently serves on the CUNA Audit Committee and as Chair of the CUNA Hispanic Outreach Committee and CUES Rocky Mountain Council Board.

As chief executive officer of CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Dennis Pierce is responsible for the strategic vision and long-term direction of the credit union.

Mr. Pierce is a 26-year veteran of the credit union industry, serving initially as manager of United Consumers Financial Credit Union from 1983 to 1993. From 1993 to 1998, Mr. Pierce served as president of Members America Credit Union. When Members America and CommunityAmerica merged in 1998, Mr. Pierce assumed the role of CEO of the combined credit unions. He has completed the Certified Credit Union Executive program (CCUE). He attended Central Missouri State University and Rockhurst College.

Mr. Pierce is an active participant in both industry and community organizations. He is currently a member of the Board of NACUSO, serving as Secretary in 2005 and Vice Chairman in 2006. He currently serves as the Treasurer on the CUNA Board of Directors. He served as Chairman of the National Credit Union Roundtable in 2004/2005, the Renewal Review Committee and various other committee assignments. He also serves as Treasurer of CUNA Strategic Services, Inc. In 2007, Mr. Pierce was re-elected to the board of the Missouri Credit Union Association, having previously served as director, vice chairman and chairman. Mr. Pierce also was a member of the Kansas City Chapter of Credit Unions and the Filene Research Council. From a community standpoint, Mr. Pierce serves on the Boards of Directors of the Learning Exchange, Reach out America and the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce. Previous civic involvements include Northland Regional Chamber of Commerce, Blue Valley Kiwanis Club, YMCA and Club North.

Mr. Pierce has lived in the Kansas City area since 1955. He and his wife, Lisa, have two daughters.

Steve has been involved in the credit union movement for 30 years and has been the President/CEO of Tricorp since 1995. He started his career at Tricorp during its early years as an assistant to the president and has held several positions there including Operations Manager and Vice President. He has been with the corporate for 27 years and seen its assets grow from $200 million to today’s asset size that nears $900 million. Prior to Tricorp, Steve worked at a natural person credit union, Maine Family FCU, for 3 years.

In addition to his responsibilities at Tricorp, he is the Chairman of the Association of Corporate Credit Unions. At the regional level, Steve sits on the Board of Directors of the New England Automated Clearing House Association. When he is not busy with the business of credit unions, he enjoys spending time with his wife and 2 sons camping, golfing and skiing.

Mr. Roy earned his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Southern Maine located in Portland, Maine. He has graduated from CUNA’s Management School, CUES Executive Management School, and Stamford School of Executive Development.

Maurice Smith is the President of the Local Government Federal Credit Union. LGFCU is a financial cooperative that serves the financial needs of local government employees, appointed officials and elected officeholders in North Carolina’s local governments.

Maurice started his career in financial services as a loan officer for State Employees’ Credit Union in 1979. Maurice served in several capacities including vice president/city executive, vice-president of marketing and training. Maurice joined LGFCU in 1992 as the Executive Vice-President. Maurice was promoted to President in 1999.

Maurice received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1979. Maurice earned a Juris Doctorate from the NC Central University School of Law in 2005. Maurice is licensed to practice law in North Carolina and the District of Columbia.

Maurice achieved a NC Real Estate Brokers License, Certified Credit Union Executive Designation and attended several management and marketing schools.

Maurice has two children and lives in Cary, North Carolina with his wife, Diane. Their son, Ravelle, is a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, while their daughter, Raven, is a student at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Maurice is a Deacon at Wake Chapel Church, Raleigh, North Carolina. Maurice participates in several community and civic activities.

Maurice professes a central mission in life. He holds that his purpose is to seek economic justice and improve the quality of life for consumers through access to financial education and services.

Memberships & Activities:

• Chairman, Board of Directors, NC Credit Union League
• Member, Board of Directors, NC Minority Support Center
• Member, Board of Directors Carolinas Credit Union Foundation
• Member, Board of Directors, Credit Union National Association
• Member, NC State Bar, Tenth Judicial District
• Member, US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
• Member, United States Supreme Court Bar
• Member, District of Columbia Bar
• Member, NC State Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Governmental Affairs Committee, Credit Union National Association
• Member, Board of Directors, NCLM Local Leadership Foundation
• Member, Board of Directors, NC School of Government Foundation
• Member, University of North Carolina at Wilmington Foundation
• Member, Filene Research Institute

Rod Staatz has been President and CEO of SECU Credit Union since 2003, but his financial services roots run deep. With over 30 years of financial experience, Rod has held various executive banking positions before joining the credit union movement in 1996. SECU is a $1.8 billion credit union headquartered in Linthicum, Maryland with over 250,000 members.

Working in both the banking and credit union worlds has given Rod a unique appreciation for what credit unions provide that for-profit financial institutions can’t. He is passionately dedicated to the credit union philosophy. Rod also sits on the Boards of CSCU (Card Services for Credit Unions), CUALN (Credit Union Auto Lending Network), CUBC (Credit Union Business Capital), OTS (Open Technology Solutions), Credit Union Miracle Day, the Maryland/DC Credit Union Association, and is Chairman of the Advocacy Committee for the Association. He was Vice-Chair of the CUNA Growth Task Force in 2007 and is the Chairman of the Large Credit Union Roundtable for 2008 – 2009.

Susan M. Streifel, CCE is President/Chief Executive Officer of Woodstone Credit Union, an $85 million financial cooperative. She assumed her chief executive responsibilities in February 2002. To this role, she brings 29 years of financial cooperative experience, with 18 years held in senior management positions. Susan not only brings significant experience but also commitment and dedication to the business philosophy of credit unions as member-owned financial cooperatives designed to meet the financial needs of their members.

Susan’s passion and advocacy for credit union excellence is evident in her many advisory positions. She currently serves as the At-Large member of the Executive Committee of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Board of Directors and on a local level, as a member of the Credit Union Executive Society Puget Sound Council board. And she is co-chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee for the Washington Credit Union League.

She has been recognized for her commitment. She was the recipient of the Washington Credit Union League’s Mark of Excellence award and has been recognized by the Professional Credit Union Women’s Association as “Woman of the Year.”

Susan is equally committed to building strong communities through involvement of time and resources. She currently serves as Past Chair on the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and on the Advancing Leadership Steering Committee, a program designed to produce graduates who possess exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills in order to help build healthy communities. She also serves on the Board of Directors as Treasurer for Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation, an organization that promotes healthy communities and quality of life in South King County.

Susan is a graduate of the Credit Union Executives Society’s (CUES) CEO Institute, a three year professional development program combining the faculties, facilities and educational resources of three of the world’s top business schools: The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University, and Darden Graduate School of Business Administration at the University of Virginia. She is also a graduate of the Credit Union National Association Management School, Claremont College, Pomona, California. She is co-author of the book 100 Years of Credit Unions in Washington.

Susan was raised in Renton, Washington, and now lives in Issaquah, Washington, with her husband Rick and son Matt. In her spare time, she and her husband manage an 21-acre private forest in Cle Elum, Washington.

Dennis Tanimoto has been president and chief executive officer of Hawaii Credit Union League and its wholly-owned subsidiary, HCU Services Corporation, since July 1992. The League is a trade association representing the interests of all 94 credit unions domiciled in Hawaii and two credit unions domiciled in Guam. It is one of 50 credit union leagues throughout the United States affiliated with the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).

Prior to joining the League, Dennis was an officer at two community banks in Hawaii for 19 years. He spent most of those years in various administrative and lending capacities – including executive assistant to the chairman/CEO, consumer loan administrator, corporate loan officer and manager of the residential mortgage loan department. He was also a member of Hawaii Bankers Association’s legislative committee.

Dennis is one of three people in Hawaii who holds a certified association executive (CAE) professional designation conferred by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and is a life member of Beta Gamma Sigma international honor society of accredited business colleges. He is also a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington, and earned all three certificates then offered by the American Institute of Banking.

Active in industry, association and community affairs, Dennis is active with numerous nonprofit organizations including a member of the CUNA board of directors, member of the CUNA audit committee, director of HEDCO Local Development Corporation (a Honolulu-based certified development company that grants Small Business Administration 504 loans), member of the ASAE executive management section council, treasurer and past president of Aloha Society of Association Executives, and member of Trade Association Executives of Honolulu. Additionally, he serves as chairman of the Aloha United Way economic well-being community care team, director and immediate president of United Cerebral Palsy Association of Hawaii, and director and past president of Susannah Wesley Community Center.

His hobbies and interests include collecting vintage and limited edition fountain pens, fine wristwatches and German automobiles. Dennis resides in Honolulu with his wife, Dale, and has two adult children who are pursuing their master’s degrees in business administration and accounting, respectively.

Brett A. Thompson has been President & CEO of The Wisconsin Credit Union League since 2001. He currently serves as Chairman of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues, on the Credit Union National Association’s Board of Directors, as well as its Governmental Affairs and Partnership Committee. He also serves as chair of the Credit Union Legislative Action Council (CULAC), our movement’s federal PAC fund, as well as on the board of directors for the Credit Union House in Washington, D.C., our federal lobbying “hub.”

Prior to joining The League, Thompson was in the private practice of law for 17 years and served as managing shareholder of La Follette, Godfrey & Kahn in Madison, Wisconsin. While at The League, Thompson has been actively involved in The League’s state and federal legislative and regulatory efforts.

Pat Wesenberg is the President/CEO of Central City Credit Union (formerly Point Plus CU) in Marshfield, Wisconsin. She has served in this capacity since her hire in April 1994. Pat was elected to the CUNA Board of Directors in June 2004 and to the CUNA Strategic Services, Inc. (CSS) Board of Directors in June 2006. She currently serves as CUNA's Secretary and as CSS' Chair. Pat also serves on the CUNA Partnership and Personnel Policies Committee.

Pat has worked in various positions in the credit union industry since 1981. She is a member of the Credit Union Executive Society and is a 2007 graduate of the NCUF Developmental Educator program. During her tenure in the credit union environment, Pat has served on numerous committees for the Wisconsin Credit Union League and held various officer positions for the Central Wisconsin Chapter of Credit Unions. Pat is currently working on the One with the League Committee and the Redistricting Task Force. Pat is a board member of the CTI users group for Wisconsin Credit Unions and serves on the planning committee for the CTI Midwest users group.

The Wisconsin Credit Union League recognized her in 1997 as the credit union professional of the year. Pat is very active in her local community and currently serves on many boards.

She is married, has 2 daughters and resides in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Edwin Williams is currently Treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Berks County Food Bank, is the Vice-President of the Schuylkill Valley Chapter of Credit Unions, serves on the 2007 Credit Union Advisory Council for the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and serves on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Credit Union Foundation. He is also involved in countless community and local non- profit organizations and events.

Williams has an impeccable leadership reputation of always doing the right things, cultivating an empowered and highly-trained staff and conducting business ethically with fairness and respect. Through his leadership, advocacy and support, Williams is dedicated to energizing and strengthening the credit union movement around the globe.

With more than 25 years of financial industry experience, Williams holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and is a CPA.

Jeff York is the President/CEO of CoastHills Federal Credit Union in Lompoc, California and has been in the financial services industry for more than 27 years – 25 years with credit unions. Before being named President in July 2004, Jeff was the Executive Vice President at CoastHills.

Jeff moved to CoastHills from The Walt Disney Company’s credit union - Vista FCU in Orlando, Florida - where he served as Vice President of Strategic Planning and Marketing, and President/CEO for Vista Financial Services, LLC. Prior to Vista, Jeff worked in marketing for both Alliance Federal Credit Union in San Jose, California and Pacific Service Federal Credit Union in San Francisco.

Jeff holds a BA in Economics from the University of California at Davis, is a Certified Chief Executive, a graduate of the CEO Institute and the Executive Marketing Institute, and a long-time trade association member.

Jeff serves on several financial industry and community Boards, including:

• Immediate Past Chairman - California Credit Union League
• Chairman of the Board - C-U First, LTD – Captive workers compensation insurance company
• Board Member - Member Business Services
• Board Member - Allan Hancock College Foundation
• Board Member - Lompoc Valley Hospital Foundation
• Board Member - Lompoc Chamber Foundation
• Member – Economic Vitality Committee of San Luis Obispo

CoastHills Federal Credit Union was founded in 1958 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in Lompoc, California. Today CoastHills serves the communities of San Luis Obispo County and northern Santa Barbara County. It has $625 million in assets, 64,000 members, 11 branches and 185 employees.