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Election Watch 2006

Credit Union Political Spotlight

Kellie Terhune Neely

Kellie Neely and her husband, Matthew Neely

Kellie Terhune Neely has always made the time to attend fundraisers, luncheons, and political events. She has donated time knocking on doors, collecting petition signatures, stuffing envelopes, making telephone calls, raising contributions, assisting with fundraisers and making personal contributions to credit union-friendly lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle. She has developed and maintained relationships with several Arizona lawmakers. Her credit union also participates in Get Out the Vote, Voter Registration, CULAC Coins of America, Deduct-a-Buck, Project ZIP Code, as well as payday lending and financial literacy initiatives.

Kellie feels her job is easy because credit unions have such a wonderful story to tell. She looks at her Credit Union, Hughes FCU, as a prime example due to its Service Mission “To Always Make a Positive Difference in Each Member’s Financial Life.” Kellie knows her state also has a strong league, the Arizona Credit Union System, with an excellent Political Affairs program that helps lead the way.

Her husband is no stranger to the political process either. Matthew Neely accompanies her to many legislative events and has volunteered for numerous campaigns. He currently serves as a campaign manager for a U.S. congressional candidate in Arizona’s 8th District for the 2006 election.

Kellie also knows a little about being an underdog having won a National High School Rodeo Championship in 1976 on a horse her family bought for $150. Hard work and dedication pay off and the same goes in our fight to preserve the role that credit unions play in our community. She feels we can’t let up and encourages everyone to get involved in the political process not only for their own political awareness but to protect the future of credit unions. She feels its part of our job and another way to give back to our members and movement.

The Arizona Credit Union System named Kellie Terhune Neely, Vice President Marketing of Hughes Federal Credit Union in Tucson, Arizona, as the 2006 RC Robertson Political Advocate of the Year, the first advocacy award for the state. The Political Advocate of the Year was awarded to Kellie because she has actively supported the ideals and principles of the credit union movement by participating and working to promote political activism on the state and national level.

Where will the "Political Spotlight" shine next? Please email us if you know an individual or group within the credit union movement who is engaged in the political process.