District At-Large, Class C
Term: February 2024

Lisa Ginter is a celebrated leader in Kansas City as both the CEO of CommunityAmerica Credit Union and an influential figure in the business, civic and philanthropic community.

Lisa has served in a leadership role at CommunityAmerica since she joined the organization in 1995. Since becoming CEO in 2015, Lisa grew the credit union from a $1.5 billion to a nearly $4 billion organization in just five years. With a mission to help members achieve financial peace of mind at every life stage, Lisa has inspired and advanced every division and line of business at CommunityAmerica. As the Official Banking Partner of the Kansas City Chiefs, and frequently named as Kansas City’s top Credit Union and ‘Best Place to Work,’ CommunityAmerica has become a powerhouse in Kansas City under Lisa’s leadership. She is also an advocate for credit unions on a national level, serving on the Executive Board of Directors for CUNA (the Credit Union National Association).

Lisa’s name can often be found in both local and national headlines. She is one of only three Kansas Citians to be recognized among the ‘Top 100 Financial Executives’ by the national Business Journal and has been selected as a ‘Power 100’ honoree by the Kansas City Business Journal for multiple years. She was also named one of 435 South Magazine’s ‘50 Most Powerful People in KC.’  

Lisa is a beacon of leadership in her beloved Kansas City community where she serves on the Executive Boards of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and Kansas City Area Development Council. Her leadership presence is also strongly felt in the education community where she serves on the Board of Trustees at Rockhurst University and St. Michael the Archangel as Vice Chair.

Lastly, Lisa is heavily immersed in charitable give-back through active support of those most in need across Kansas City. Her philanthropic leadership positions have advanced our community in a big way, and in the last five years alone, Lisa has raised more than $6.5 million as an event chair for prominent KC charities. Last year she helped the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City raise a record-breaking $2 million at its first-ever virtual ‘Kids Night Out’ Gala. In recent years she broke fundraising records chairing the ‘Red Hot Night’ Gala for Children’s Mercy Hospital, Women’s Employment Network Luncheon, WIN for KC Luncheon, ‘Go Red for Women’ Luncheon, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Luncheon for Metropolitan Community College. Under Lisa’s leadership CommunityAmerica has been honored with the Junior Achievement Centennial Award, recognized as Non-Profit Connect’s ‘Business Philanthropist of the Year,’ and the #1 ‘Best Place to Work’ in the Kansas City Business Journal. Lisa was also personally named the ‘Community MVP’ from the ‘15 and the Mahomies Foundation,’ and received Rockhurst University’s Rashford-Lyon Award for leadership and ethics in 2020. This year Lisa will co-chair Inclusions Connections’ “FashionAbility” gala and the “Big Dreams Bright Futures” event celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of Operation Breakthrough. 

In her free time Lisa loves spending time with her family, including her granddaughters Ava and Emmie, relaxing at the lake and cheering on local sports teams. 

Committee Memberships

National Credit Union Roundtable Advisory Council (Member)
Advocacy Committee (Vice Chair)

District At-Large, Class D
Term: February, 2025

Caroline Willard began her tenure as the president and CEO of Cornerstone League, Cornerstone Resources, and the Cornerstone Foundation in April 2017. She is responsible for growing the organizations by offering relevant services and ensuring that Cornerstone credit unions receive excellent support and leadership in government relations at the state level and in Washington, D.C.

As a representative of the Cornerstone League and Cornerstone Resources, Willard is on the Credit Union National Association, Credit Unions for Kids, and Plexcity boards of directors. On the CUNA board, Caroline serves as Secretary.

Prior to joining Cornerstone, Willard worked for CO-OP Financial Services as executive vice president, markets and strategy. During her tenure, she also handled mergers and acquisitions, relationship management, marketing, product development, and strategic planning. Willard has worked at financial institutions, as well: Downey Savings in Newport Beach, Calif., and American First Credit Union in La Habra, Calif.

Willard earned a Bachelor of Arts at California State University, Fullerton, and a Master of Business Administration at Pepperdine University.

Committee Memberships

Finance Committee (Chair)

District 4, Class B
Term: February, 2024

Patrick Pierce has been a leader in the credit union movement for over 32 years. He has had various roles including Chairman of the Political Involvement Committee of the Minnesota Credit Union Network and past member of the CUNA State Charter Enhancement Sub Committee and the CUNA Advocacy Committee. In addition, Pierce is a Certified Credit Union Executive with over 20 years' experience as a CEO. He has been the recipient of many credit union and civic awards including the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders Award in 2016. Pierce's passion for credit unions and money management started at University of Wisconsin - River Falls where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and passed his Certified Public Accountants exam on his first attempt. Patrick Pierce currently lives in River Falls, Wisconsin and is married with three grown children.

Committee Memberships
Finance Committee (Vice Chair)

District At-Large, Class C
Term: February, 2026

As President and CEO of GTE Financial, Brian's approach to leadership is all about serving others and ensuring that people always come first.  With the support and guidance of a progressive Board of Directors and a dynamic Executive Management Team, Brian is focused on maximizing return and value to the GTE membership, credit union team members and the local community - the people GTE exists to serve.  Through elevating the employee experience, members gain a caring financial advocate that ensures they earn more, save more and live better.  Additionally, GTE is focused on providing innovation through a service lens, ensuring the credit union stays relevant within an ever-changing industry permeated by new technology and sophisticated services.

Brian has evolved financial organizations for over 20 years, holding senior management positions at some of the nation's most preeminent banks and credit unions.  Brian brings a diverse background in commercial and consumer banking, collections, operations, retail strategy, process improvement, investment and risk portfolio management, organizational branding and troubled business restructuring.

Brian holds a B.S. in Marketing from Wright State University, as well as an M.A. in Business and Administration from Saint Leo University.  He has also graduated from the RMA School of Commercial Underwriting and Portfolio Management, and has received his accreditation with Six Sigma as a master black belt.

Currently, Brian serves on the Hillsborough Economic Development Council as a Committee Member, serves on the board of the Boys and Girls Club as an Executive Committee Member, serves on the board of CU Engage as an Advisory Member, serves on the board of Junior Achievement as a Board Member, as well as serves on the Saint Leo Presidents Council.

At-Large, Term:  February 2025

Jim Morrell for 29 years has served credit unions and for 10 years now as President/CEO for Peninsula Community Federal Credit Union in Shelton, WA. Along with his team at Peninsula Credit Union, a CDFI and low income credit union, the focus is to promote financial well-being for households who are Asset Limited Income Constrained and Employed (ALICE).

Jim is a certified Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) in the United States and Africa. The DE program enables Jim to pursue the use of cooperative operating principles to help individuals build financial capability and help communities inspire economic development.

Industry and community service are lived out by Jim’s current participation with the following organization boards and committees: CUNA Payments sub-Committee (Chair); CUNA Advocacy Committee (ex-officio); CU4Kids Seattle Children’s Hospital Advisory (Chair); Economic Development Council of Mason County; Great Bend Center for Music; NWCUA Governmental Affairs Committee (past Chair); The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound (Chair); WesPay Regional Payments Association (past Chair); YMCA – Shelton Branch Advisory Board. His previous service includes: CUNA Technology Council (Chair); Nacha (vice-chair); City of Shelton Poverty Taskforce (Chair) and the Economic Development Steering Committee; and Skookum Rotary Foundation (Chair).

He holds a Master of Business and Public Administration from the Atkinson Graduate School of Management at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. He was recognized as the “2021 Credit Union Advocate of the Year” by the NWCUA; “2019 President’s Choice” by Shelton-Mason Chamber of Commerce; the “2010 Distinguished Credit Union Professional of the Year” by the Washington Credit Union League; and the “2008 Information Technology Executive of the Year” by Credit Union Times.

Jim enjoys traveling the world with his husband Chris, parenting their two 4-legged kids (Rupert and Dolly), sharing great Northwest wines, boating, and fishing.

Jim Nussle was named president and CEO of the Credit Union National Association in September 2014. Nussle, is a former eight-term congressman and director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

CUNA is the largest and most influential national financial services trade association advocating for America's credit unions. There are nearly 5,500 credit unions nationwide, with 130 million members and almost $1.5 trillion in assets.

Nussle has long admired the grass roots advocacy strength of the credit union movement. In Congress, he witnessed firsthand the enthusiastic advocacy the leaders and members of the nation's nearly 7,000 credit unions have.

Nussle served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1991-2007 as a Republican representative from the State of Iowa. From 2001-2006, he served as chairman of the House Budget Committee, a key panel that oversees the federal budget process, including review of all bills and resolutions on the budget. In addition he was a member of the House leadership and served on the Banking and Ways and Means Committees.

In 2007, President Bush tapped him as the 36th director of OMB, the largest office within the Executive Office of the President of the United States. As OMB director, he was a member of the president's cabinet.

Nussle also served on the founding board of Growth Energy, a trade association of renewable energy companies and industry partners. He was recruited by his fellow board members in 2010 to help lead the organization as its President and COO. During his tenure, Growth Energy nearly doubled its revenue, increased membership by 18% to become the largest renewable energy association, and successfully navigated several regulatory and legislative challenges.

In his early career, Nussle served his community for four years as a first responder and firefighter with the Manchester Volunteer Fire Department. He also spent four years as the Delaware County Attorney, the chief prosecutor and civil attorney for the jurisdiction and established his own law practice. Nussle also serves as a director on the boards of Thrivent Mutual Funds, PRA Group Inc., and as a special advisor on the advisory board of AVISTA Capital Partners.

In addition, he volunteers his time with The National Down Syndrome Society and as President of Epiphany Lutheran Church Congregational Council, where you can often find him "sitting in" playing guitar in the praise band for Sunday services.

A native Iowan, Nussle received a degree in political science from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and his law degree from Drake University in Des Moines. Nussle and his wife, Karen live in Virginia, and have two adult children.

Committee Memberships

National Credit Union Roundtable Advisory Council (Ex Officio Member)

District 4, Class A
Term: February, 2026

Pat Drennen is the CEO of 1ST Gateway Credit Union in Camanche, Iowa, and he's been with 1ST Gateway for over 27 years.  He began his career in the credit union movement immediately after college, when he joined the Iowa Credit Union Division as a Credit Union Examiner.  He joined 1STGateway in 1988 where he served as Assistant Manager, Manager and now CEO.

Pat was a member of the Iowa Credit Union League Board of Directors for over 20 years, including 3 years as Board Chair.  He has also served on a number of the Iowa League's subsidiary companies including a stint on their holding company, Affiliates Management Company (AMC) Board; in addition, he spent time as a member of the Iowa CUPAC Trustees, including time as the Chair.  He is a member of WOCCU's “International Executive Volunteer Corp” for his work in assisting both the trade association and credit unions in Panama.  He currently serves as the League's Principal Key Contact (PKC) for Iowa Senator, Charles Grassley, and also serves as a Board member for TMG Financial Services, the Iowa League's credit card portfolio management company.

Pat remains active in his community and currently serves as a Trustee on the Finance Council at the Church of the Visitation.  He holds a Bachelor's degree from Iowa State University in Ames, IA and is a graduate of CUNA's Management School in Madison, WI.  He and his wife, Pam, have 3 children and 3 grand-children.

Committee Memberships
Finance Committee (Member)

District At-Large, Class D
Term: February, 2026

Charles Elliott, CLE, CUDE, began his credit union career as a League Consultant in January 1980. He later held the positions of Director of Education/Public Relations, Director of Consulting Services, and Executive Vice President of the Mississippi Credit Union League and League Services Corporation. Charles was appointed President/CEO of the Mississippi Credit Union Association in January 1989.

Charles graduated with a B.S. Degree in Business/Management from Mississippi State University. He is a Certified League Executive (CLE) and a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE). He has served on the Executive Committee of the National Youth Involvement Board (NYIB) and many Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) committees. He has also served as chairman of the Credit Union House Board of Directors, and as president of the Mississippi Society of Association Executives (MSAE). He currently serves on the CUNA Board of Directors, as well as the AACUL Political Involvement & Grassroots Committee.

Mississippi Senator Trent Lott appointed Charles as a delegate to President Clinton's Summit on Retirement Savings in 1998. He was also appointed as a delegate to President Bush's Savers' Summit in 2002.

In September of 2005, on behalf of the Credit Union National Association, Charles provided his testimony to the members of Congress on the House Financial Services Subcommittee regarding financial institutions response to Hurricane Katrina. In February of 2006, he received the National Credit Union Foundation's Anchor Award for his “extraordinary strength and perseverance in helping credit unions recover from the worst natural disaster in American history.” He has made dozens of presentations to credit union organizations across the country regarding Hurricane Katrina and disaster preparedness.

The American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) recognized Charles in 2006 with the President’s Award and in 2020 with the Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award. In 2008, he was inducted to the Credit Union House “Hall of Leaders."

Committee Memberships
Finance Committee (Member)

District 5, Class B, Term:  February 2025

Greg Gallant has been the President/CEO of Tulsa Federal Credit Union ($900 million, 54,000 members) since 2011. His passion for the Credit Union movement is the result of a 40-year career where he has been employed within trade associations, corporate credit unions, and credit unions.  These experiences have helped shape Greg's progressive view of what a credit union can be while being committed to the principles that are deeply rooted in our movement.  

Under Greg’s leadership, Tulsa Federal has dramatically increased its community involvement.  With most of its employees supporting the United Way, over the last ten years, Tulsa FCU has contributed over $650,000, which benefits over 56 United Way partner agencies. The credit union’s eight-year Title Sponsorship of the Tulsa Run (which typically attracts over 6,000 runners annually) has resulted in financial contributions of over $250,000 to non-profit organizations, such as Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Child Abuse Network, the Salvation Army, Meals on Wheels, and several local charities.

As a Low-Income Designated Credit Union, the credit union has provided over $6 million in loans towards rehabilitating and renewing a depressed neighborhood of downtown Tulsa.  This initiative, enabled by the credit union, will improve the housing quality and quantity, redevelop public amenities, provide new local opportunities, and enrich a vibrant, diverse community.

Gallant holds a BS Finance, BS Management, and an MBA. Currently, he serves on the Cornerstone Resources Board (Cornerstone League) and CUNA’s CU Powers Subcommittee. Throughout his career Greg has been very active with United Way and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Additionally, he is the Vice Chair of Tulsa Regional Tourism, the organization's mission is to market Tulsa as a destination for tourism, sports, and culture.

District 1, Class A
Term:  February, 2026

Lori Herrick has been President/CEO of Manchester Municipal FCU, Manchester, Conn., for the past 21 years, growing the credit union’s assets from $1.8 million to $31 million and adding many distinguishable services for the credit union’s very active, loyal members.

Lori has been involved with and a champion for the CUNA/League System as a whole. Over the past five years, Lori has served on the CUNA Board-appointed CUNA Small Credit Union Committee, including both as Chair and Vice Chair and providing a strong voice for credit unions during meetings with NCUA officials, including with both recent Chairmen Rodney Hood and Todd Harper. Lori was also appointed to the influential CUNA COVID-19 Task Force in 2020 to help the movement navigate through a global pandemic.

Lori has additionally held positions with the Credit Union League of Connecticut for over 20 years, spearheading the Connecticut League’s Small Credit Union Task Force, serving on the League’s Hartford Chapter as Treasurer, and currently serving as Supervisory Chair.

In addition to serving in leadership roles on her local chapter, Lori has been a leader within the CUNA Small Credit Union Community, CUNA’s networking platform for small credit unions; and also, a regular speaker for CUNA’s small credit union programs and initiatives. In a true example of credit union collaboration, Lori developed a highly successful and innovative in-house student loan program in 2009 and has worked tirelessly to share the program with credit unions nationwide. Lori has been instrumental in helping dozens of credit unions start this program at their credit unions.

As a result of her strong understanding of her members’ needs, and how to deliver solutions to meet those needs, Lori was presented with the Credit Union Professional of the Year Award by the Credit Union League of Connecticut in 2015.

Lori and her husband Jeff enjoy spending time with family -traveling to Maui to visit their daughter and golfing. 

District 3, Class B, Term:  February 2025

Cecilia Homison was named CEO of Tallahassee, Fla.-based First Commerce Credit Union in 2009.  Known as a strategic thinker, collaborator, and skilled communicator, she has cumulatively served credit unions for more than 30 years in senior leadership roles in the Southeast. She currently serves on CUNA’s Advocacy Committee, and previously served on CUNA’s Supervision and Examination Subcommittee, and the Charter Review and Enhancement Task Force. For more than ten years, Cecilia has been an active participant in CUNA’s GAC and Hike the Hills, advocating in numerous meetings with the CFPB and NCUA, and on state hikes.

As CEO, she has introduced programs to develop future leaders, nurture YPG, and cultivate grassroots lobbying and fundraising. As a result, FCCU has been recognized with eight LSCU Chairman’s Awards for CUPAC and CULAC contributions. Cecilia also established the FCCU Foundation dedicated to financial literacy; as Chair, she promotes financial inclusion in underserved communities.

Under Cecilia’s leadership, First Commerce Credit Union has received the following CUNA awards for innovative initiatives: Louise Herring, Desjardins, and two consecutive 1^st place Dora Maxwell. Among her community leadership roles, she has served as Chair of the Tallahassee Economic Development Council, Assistant Treasurer of the Tallahassee Chamber, and Treasurer of Junior Achievement. A graduate of Leadership Tallahassee, she received their Pacesetter Award along with 850 Business Magazine’s Pinnacle Award honoring women leaders.

Cecilia is a graduate of Huntingdon College and is a licensed CPA. 

District At-Large, Class D
Term: February, 2024

Tom Kane is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois Credit Union System, leading the Illinois Credit Union League and LSC (ICUL Service Corporation) since 2015. A collaborator and strategic thinker, Tom is a longtime champion of the credit union movement and is strongly committed to the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.” Since joining the League in 2003, Tom has held key roles including Chief Administrative Officer, Executive Vice President/Operations, and Chief Security Officer.

Tom previously held leadership positions in a wide variety of organizations for more than 35 years, including Chicago-based companies Aon Corporation, Quaker Oats, and Focal Communications, and the Central Intelligence Agency in Langley, Virginia. 

Tom serves on the boards of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), America’s Credit Union Museum, Cambio Financial Health, FIS Credit Union Advisory group, and League InfoSight, where he is Vice Chair. 

A native of Iowa, Tom earned a Master’s Degree in Government and International Studies from the University of Notre Dame and a BA from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, majoring in Business, Political Science, and History. Tom and his wife Beth reside in Glen Ellyn, Illinois where they raised their four now-adult children and are in the process of renovating their 95 year-old home.

Committee Memberships
Audit Committee (Vice Chair)

District At-Large, Class C
Term: February, 2024

Jose is responsible for all Member interaction areas of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. This includes the Branch Network, Real Estate and Consumer Lending, Member Contact Center (MCC), ATM Fleet Operations, Payment Operations, Records & Item Processing, Debit & Credit Card Servicing and Fraud. Additionally, Investment, Trust, Retirement and Insurance services are within his scope of oversight.

Jose Lara has been employed in the financial services industry since 1986. He came to SchoolsFirst FCU in 1993. Jose earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from California State University. He holds a Series Seven general securities license, is a graduate of Western CUNA Management School and is a CUES Certified Chief Executive.

Active in the community, Jose serves on several boards and committees, including the CSUF Philanthropic Foundation (Emeritus), Comunidad Latina Federal Credit Union, SchoolsFirst Insurance Services, SchoolsFirst Plan Administration, Wespay, CUES Advisory Board (Treasurer), UCI Customer Experience Council and CU4Kids CHOC Advisory Committee (Chairperson.)

Jose and his wife Priscilla have been married 31 years and are the proud parents of two adult children.  Their son Joel is a Special Education teacher and his daughter Sophia recently graduated from Gonzaga University and is pursuing a Masters in Speech & Language Pathology.

District At-Large, Class C
Term:  February 2026

Dayatra (“Day”) Matthews is Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel for the Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU). Prior to joining LGFCU in 2012, Day was partner in a Raleigh, North Carolina law firm focused primarily on the civil defense of businesses, including credit unions. A practicing attorney for 25 years, Day has devoted more than half of her career to zealously advocating for credit unions and the cooperative principles they represent.  

As CLO and GC at LGFCU, Day oversees all legal, compliance and risk functions at the Credit Union. Part of that oversight included successfully leading the chartering process for LGFCU’s affiliated digital-first credit union, Civic FCU. Today, Civic FCU is considered the fastest growing de novo credit union in the country.

A fierce industry advocate, Day served on the CFPB’s Credit Union Advisory Council from 2015-2017 and then, most recently, as a member of CUNA’s Credit Union Powers Subcommittee. She volunteers her time today as a member of NCUF’s Grants Committee and as one of the leaders of North Carolina’s Global Women’s Leadership Network (GWLN) Sister Society. At this year’s GAC, Day was awarded the GWLN Emerging Leader Award for promoting women in leadership and DEI across our industry.  

In addition to her work within the credit union industry, Day has proven to be an influential and transformative leader within North Carolina’s legal and non-profit communities as well. Having just completed her tenure as President of North Carolina’s 10^th Judicial District Bar, the bar governing all attorneys in Wake County, North Carolina, Day holds the distinction of being the first woman of color elected to this role in that Bar’s 100-year history. She holds a similar distinction as Past President of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys. For her work in these roles and in recognition of her continued commitment to providing unfettered legal counsel to all, Day received the Corporate Counsel of the Year Award from Triangle Business Journal in 2016, the Leader in the Law Award from North Carolina Lawyers’ Magazine in 2018, and was inducted into the National Top 100 Black Lawyers in 2020. 

Lastly, as a leader in the charitable world, Day has served as Board Chair of EarthShare North Carolina, member of the Board of Directors of Hospice of Wake County, and member of the Executive Board of Movement of Youth, a nonprofit organization dedicated to mentoring diverse and underserved youth across North Carolina.

Day graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UNC-Chapel Hill with a B.A. in political science and obtained her J.D. from Duke School of Law. She enjoys spending time with her husband and 12-year-old son, playing tennis, and watching her beloved Tar Heels play basketball.  

District 5, Class A
Term: February, 2024

Maria J. Martinez is the President/CEO of Border Federal Credit Union (Border FCU), a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), headquartered in Del Rio, TX, with over $210 million in assets and serving over 25,000 members.   Maria has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting and is a proud Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE).  Her passion is making positive connections and being of service to others and she is constantly advocating for financial wellness for all within the credit union system. 

Maria serves on the CUNA Board representing CUNA’s District 5, Class A credit unions; she was recently appointed as an Associate Director to PSCU’s Board; is a founding member and Vice-Chairwoman of the Credit Union Women’s Leadership Alliance (CUWLA); is a founding member and the Chairwoman of the National Association of Latino Credit Unions & Professionals (NLCUP); is a member of the CU DEI Collective group formed in 2019; serves on CUNA’s CU Awareness LLC Board and the CUNA Strategic Services (CSS) Board; and volunteers in other boards and committees.

Among the recognitions Maria has received for her professional accomplishments, community contributions and leadership are the 2017 Herb Wegner Memorial Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement, the 2015 Woman of Distinction Award by the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC), the 2016 Cornerstone Credit Union League Professional of the Year Award and other recognitions.

Committee Memberships
Credit Union Consumer Consideration Committee (Member)

District 6, Class B
Term: February, 2026

Nader Moghaddam, President and CEO of Financial Partners Credit Union (86,000 Members and $1.8 Billion in Assets) has led the credit union since January 2005.  Financial Partners is a low-income designated CDFI organization focused on serving California communities.  Before starting his 36-year career in the financial services industry, Moghaddam earned his Bachelor of Science and a Master of Planning degrees from the University of Southern California (USC).

During Nader's 36-year career in financial services, he has held leadership positions in some of California's largest banks and credit unions. As CEO of Financial Partners, Nader created a culture focused on the member and creating tangible value. Under his leadership, the credit union has tripled in size and expanded its branch footprint north to South San Francisco and south to San Diego.

As a strong industry advocate, Nader is honored to volunteer his time by serving on the CU Direct Board of Directors (past Chair), founding member of CUNA CEO Council Executive Committee (past Chair), California Credit Union League Board of Directors (past Chair), Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center Foundation Board (Chair), Orange County CU 4 Kids Advisory Council (past Chair), CUNA National Credit Union Roundtable Advisory Council (past Chair), and CUNA Council Forum (past Chair) among others.

Nader works in Downey and lives in Orange County, California, with his wife and his 16-year-old daughter.

Jeff Olson has worked at the Dakota Credit Union Association since 2008, becoming the President/CEO in 2015. Prior to that, he was the EVP of Governmental Affairs. Before joining the Dakota Credit Union Association, Jeff was a partner in an advertising and marketing firm. He also has served as a political strategist and consultant on several legislative campaigns and initiated measures throughout North Dakota.  

Jeff currently serves as Chair of the Executive Board of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL); as an ex officio member of the Credit Union National Association Board of Directors; ex officio member of the CUNA Strategic Services, Inc., Board of Directors; ex officio member of the CUNA National Action and Response Program Administrative Council and the National Advocacy Fund Steering Committee; and as a member of the Credit Union Awareness LLC Board of Directors.  He is also the Chair of the Dakota Credit Union Association Heath Benefits Board of Trustees, and Vice Chair of Pactola, a business lending credit union service organization.

District At-Large, Class D, Term: February 2025

Debbie Painter began her career with credit unions in 1979 at Abound Credit Union (formerly known as Fort Knox FCU). In January 2000, she joined the Kentucky Credit Union League staff as the Director of Public Relations and Governmental Affairs.  In this role, Debbie served as a lobbyist for Kentucky’s credit unions establishing and maintaining relationships with legislative and regulatory agencies and led the League’s grassroots and advocacy programs.

In 2012, Debbie was promoted to Executive Vice President where she was responsible for oversight of advocacy, compliance, business partners and professional development.  Debbie worked in this capacity until January 2019, when she assumed her current role as League President/CEO.

Debbie serves on the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission, established by the Kentucky Legislature in 2019 and as Vice-Chair of the Commission’s Finance and Governance Committee. In addition, Debbie also serves as Secretary/Treasurer on the Board of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL).  

Debbie earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Sullivan University and is a graduate of the Credit Union Management Institute (CUMI) and CUNA Management School (Madison, WI).  

District At-Large, Class D
Term: February, 2024

Fred Robinson is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Tennessee Credit Union League and its affiliates, CU Services, Inc. and League Capital, Inc. He has served in this capacity since November 1, 2012. Previously he served as Vice President Governmental affairs. He has been employed by the League since 1983.

Fred received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management from Bryan College.

District At-Large, Class C
Term: February, 2025

John Sackett has been a member of Royal Credit Union for over 45 years.  For 40 years he has served on the RCU Board of Directors, 17 as Board chair.  He is the President of the RCU Foundation and is chair of the RCU Audit Committee and he serves on the RCU Political Action Committee.

From 2011-2015 John served as chair of CUNA’s Volunteer Leadership Committee and has served on the Community Credit Union Committee, the CUNA Mergers Task Force and the CUNA Task Force on Due Diligence.

John currently is on the board of directors of the National Credit Union Foundation serving as Vice-Chair

 John has been on the CUNA Board since 2015 and has been a member the CUNA Audit and Finance Committees.  He is the first volunteer elected to the CUNA Board since the 1996 Renewal Review recommendations changed the election procedures and composition of the board.

John has attended and made presentations at numerous Credit Union Executive Society and CUNA conferences as well as many state and local seminars related to credit union activities and issues.  He has attained the Certified Credit Union Volunteer designation through the Credit Union Leadership Program and received the following certificates through the National Volunteer Achievement Program;  Edward Filene (1986), Friedrich Raiffeisen (1990), Roy F. Bergengren (1992), Technology (1999), Alphonse Desjardins (2003), Louise Herring (2003), Dora Maxwell (2003) and Thomas Doig (211).

John retired as Director of Finance at the Eau Claire Area School District in 2003 and continues to live in Eau Claire with his wife.

District 1, Class B, Term: February, 2024

Amey R. Sgrignoli is President/CEO of Belco Community Credit Union, a 797M asset-sized credit union in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Under her leadership, Belco has grown to include 14 branches in 7 Central Pennsylvania counties with a current membership of 70,000.  Belco employs 250 co-workers across its regional footprint.

The not-for-profit credit union movement is at the heart of Amey’s professional and personal compass. Providing Belco members with the best products and services to meet their financial needs leads her development and management of Belco’s member driven mission.

Guiding Belco’s operations through the current and future landscape, Amey is actively involved in bringing the latest technology and services to Belco members. Additionally, her leadership focus extends into the future of the financial landscape. How Belco will adapt to emerging issues such as workplace culture in a remote work environment, workforce development and talent acquisition to sustain the credit union mission. Other areas of focus in 2022 turn to areas such as cryptocurrency, the gig economy, the cannabis industry, and the impacts each will have to the future of financial services.

Appointed President/CEO in January 2014, Amey has held several leadership roles since joining Belco in 2004. Most notably, EVP of Operations, AVP of Lending and Consumer Lending Manager. Amey came to Belco after nearly a decade in the financial services industry at both commercial and regional banks.

Throughout her career Amey has engaged in non-profit boards, area economic development volunteering and credit union industry specific leadership roles. Currently she serves on the board of directors for the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) as well as the CrossState Credit Union Association. Other professional board involvement includes Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation (CAEDC), Community Depository Institution Advisory Committee (CDIAC) Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank, Philadelphia, Pa.

In addition, Amey serves on the World Council of Credit Unions, Global Women’s Leadership Network, The United Way of the Capital Region, Women’s Leadership Network and Shippensburg University’s College of Business Advisory Board. She has also served in leadership roles within Mission Central and The American Diabetes Association Harrisburg Chapter.

Amey holds a Master’s Degree in Organizational Development & Leadership from Shippensburg University, along with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration (Shippensburg University).

Additionally, she is a Certified Chief Executive (CCE) graduate of the Credit Union Executive Society’s CEO Institute and a Senior Certified Professional of Society of Human Resources (SHRM-SCP).

District 2, Class B
Term:  February 2026

Amy Sink serves as the CEO of Interra Credit Union in Goshen, Indiana, a position she has held since November 2013.  Interra was founded in Goshen and is in 18 counties in Northern Indiana serving over 87,000 members with approximately $1.6 Billion in assets. 

Sink has a long history of engagement in the credit union industry.  She actively participates in state, local and national lobbying.  She has served on the CUNA State Chartered subcommittee and the Indiana Governmental Affairs committee.  She is currently active as a Board member for Alloya Corporate Federal Credit Union, where she served as chairperson from 2011-2015, Members Development Corporation Board, Indiana Credit Union League Board and the PSCU Board of Directors. 

She has her bachelor's degree in public finance and communication from Indiana University-Bloomington and a master's degree from the University of Notre Dame.  In addition, she has completed a variety of development programs including the CUES Advanced Leadership Institute at the Harvard Executive MBA School and Cardwell Leadership program.

Active in her community Sink currently serves on the Goshen Health Foundation and Goshen Health System Boards at Goshen Hospital. 

A life-long resident of South Bend, she has been married to her husband Rob for over 30 years and have two adult children.  She enjoys reading, outdoor activities, sports of all kinds, cooking and spending time with her family.

District At-Large, Class D,
Term:  February 2026

Scott Simpson became president of the Utah Credit Union Association in December of 2003. Scott has been noted for his success in mobilizing the credit unions’ grassroots and for his ability to build coalitions and alliances that advance the cause of credit unions.

Scott brought a wealth of political experience to his role as President/CEO. Serving twice as executive director of the Utah Republican Party, he also served a stint as a special assistant to Utah’s senior United States Senator, Orrin Hatch. Simpson left the Utah GOP and joined the Utah Credit Union Association as Senior Vice President for Governmental Affairs.

Thus equipped to confront the particular challenges facing Utah’s credit unions, Simpson has implemented an aggressive long term strategy to protect Utah’s credit union movement while also building its positive commercial brand to new levels and making the “credit union difference” even more widely known and available to Utah families.

Scott holds a degree in public relations and Japanese from Weber State University. He and his wife, Samantha, reside with their three daughters in Kaysville, Utah.

District At-Large, Class C, Term:  February 2025

Debbie Smith has been with Georgia United Credit Union for 20 years, serving in several roles before being appointed CEO in 2013. Debbie brings over 30 years of experience in organizational, people and cultural development, strategy and policy development, cost reduction and a storied history in civic and community work. Debbie has been an advocate of the credit union philosophy for many years, serving on the Credit Union Advisory Board since 1984.

Debbie served on the Cooperative Services, Inc. Board of Directors from 2013 to 2019 and in various capacities within the CU system, including the GCUA Advocacy Policy Committee, as a Southeastern Credit Union Foundation board member and as an active participant in CUNA GAC and state advocacy events. Debbie and Georgia United help mentor credit union leadership, host events with state legislators, and support the political action committee. Recently, Debbie was recognized as the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates (LSCU) Professional of the Year for her professional contributions to advancing the credit union movement.

Georgia United has been recognized globally for its role in the community, commitment to service and dedication to team member engagement and development. For its positive impact of putting people first, Georgia United was recognized with the 2021 national Top Workplace Woman-Led Culture Excellence Award, the Moxie Award in the Enlightened Employer category, "Top Work Places" by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for seven consecutive years, the international Communitas Award reflecting "people helping people" in service, and numerous local and national awards for Georgia United's School Crashers program. As a champion for financial literacy, Debbie has led a partnership with Junior Achievement® of Georgia, joining its Board of Directors in 2019 and its executive committee in 2021. Through Georgia United Foundation’s programs and partnerships, Georgia United has reached over 130,000 students.

Debbie is dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. Georgia United is a Corporate Partner of the African American Credit Union Coalition and stands with AACUC in the Commitment to Change: Credit Unions Unite Against Racism efforts. Her passion for community and workplace has been recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her work with the Georgia Department of Labor State Employer Committee, where she served terms as chair, vice chair and treasurer. Additionally, Debbie has served on the State Employer Committee Congressional Visitation Team, the Atlanta Regional Workforce Board, the Newton Rockdale Employer Committee, the Central Georgia Society for Human Resources Management, and the Conyers Cherry Blossom Foundation.

On a personal note, Debbie and her late husband, Anthony, were married for 40 years and were blessed with three children, five grandchildren and a great-grandson. Debbie grew up playing basketball and is an avid University of Georgia sports fan.

District 3, Class A
Term: February, 2024

Ron Smith is currently the President/CEO/Chief Security Officer for Enbright Credit Union headquartered in Nashville, TN. Ron started in the financial services industry over 25 years ago as a teller and has worked in almost every facet of the financial industry, including repossessions, skip tracing, and financial crimes. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science.

Under his leadership, Enbright has grown from one branch to three, tripled its field of membership, and organically double in asset size. He has also been instrumental in working with the Tennessee legislature to draft and pass cybersecurity legislation, which is currently benefiting consumers and credit unions across the state.

Ron currently serves as a director on several boards; including the Credit Union National Association, Volunteer Corporate Credit Union (Treasurer), CUNA Mutual Select Credit Union Council, Nashville Chamber of Commerce CEO Round Table, and Almost Home Animal Rescue. He has previously served on the Infra Gard board, is a member of BUNCO Crimes Nashville, International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators, Madison/Rivergate Chamber of Commerce (Past Chair), and holds dual membership with the Mt. Moriah and Former Texas Rangers Foundation Masonic Lodges as a Master Mason and Scottish Rights.

Ron and his wife Jennifer enjoy spending time with their dogs and horses on their ranch along with traveling as time permits.  

Committee Memberships
Ethics Committee (Member)

District 2, Class A
Term: February, 2025

Joe Thomas is the President/CEO of NextMark Federal Credit Union.  Joe's work in the credit union movement began in 1985 as a field officer for the Malawi Union of Savings and Credit Co-Operatives while serving as a US Peace Corp Volunteer in Malawi, Africa and has maintained a strong personal commitment to the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People”.  

As a volunteer, Joe serves on the board of a number of credit union organizations, including the Northern Virginia Chapter of Credit Unions, the Virginia Credit Union League, and the CU Cares Foundation as well as on numerous CUSOs.  In addition, he is active on both state and national league committees including the Virginia League's Government Affairs Committee and the Virginia-Estonia Partnership Committee, as well as CUNA's World Affairs Committee and the Community Credit Union Community. 

Joe is active in a local food bank.  He holds a bachelor's degree from Assumption College, an MBA from Averett College and a CUDE from Madison, WI.  He and his wife Sheila have 4 children.

Committee Memberships
Credit Union Consumer Consideration Committee (Member)
World Affairs Committee (Vice Chair)