Pete Crear Lifetime Achievement Award

2026 Recipient

Dan Berger is the retired CEO of the National Association of Federally Insured-Credit Unions (NAFCU), now America’s Credit Unions after merging with the Credit Union National Association. Mr. Berger is currently a Strategic Advisor to Curql, a fintech fund for credit unions and community financial institutions. He has over 30 years of executive management, leadership and government affairs experience. Mr. Berger was instrumental in helping turn NAFCU into the premiere advocate for the credit union industry and was recognized as one of Washington, D.C.’s top lobbyists for 18 consecutive years by The Hill Newspaper. He proudly oversaw the continued support of AACUC, NAACP and UNCF as well as personally endowed a scholarship at Florida State University for first generation students. He serves on the board of several conservation and education organizations. Mr. Berger holds a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Florida State University. 

2017 Recipient

Mr. William “Bill” Bynum serves as Chief Executive Officer and President at Hope Community Credit Union and Hope Enterprise Corporation. Mr. Bynum is responsible for the strategic direction of Enterprise Corporation of the Delta and its affiliated companies. He has eighteen years of experience with some of the country's leading development finance and rural development finance programs.

For three decades, Bill has worked to advance economic opportunity for disenfranchised populations. He began his professional career by helping to establish Self-Help, a pioneer in the development finance industry, and later built nationally recognized programs at the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center. He moved to Jackson in 1994 to become the founding CEO of the Enterprise Corporation of the Delta and in 1995 organized Hope Credit Union. Today HOPE (Hope Enterprise Corporation/Hope Credit Union) is a regional community development financial institution, intermediary, and policy center that provides and promotes responsible financial services and related assistance for entrepreneurs, home buyers, and community development projects in distressed communities across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

Bill has advised Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama on community development, small business, and financial service matters serving for ten years as a presidential appointee and chairman of the Treasury Department's Community Development Advisory Board. He has been Vice Chairman of Consumer Advisory Board at Consumer Financial Protection Bureau since September 13, 2012.

Mr. Bynum serves as Director at AmSouth Community Development Corporation, Regions Bank Community Development Corporation, the Compatible Ventures Group, Corporation for Enterprise Development, Hope Community Credit Union, the New Markets Equity Fund and Southern Development Bancorporation. He served on the board of the North Carolina Technological Development Authority, a state-sponsored venture capital fund. He serves on the boards of Foundation for the Mid South, Mississippi Children's Museum, Partners for the Common Good, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, on the Mississippi Access to Justice Commission, and is Chairman of the President Community Development Advisory Board.

Mr. Bynum is Henry Crown Fellow of the Aspen Institute and was named 2002 National Supporter of Entrepreneurship by Ernst & Young and the Kauffman Foundation, and the 2007 Annie Vamper Award recipient by the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions.

Mr. Bynum is the University of North Carolina, graduate.

2003 Recipient

Retired President/CEO of World Council of Credit Unions. Under Crear’s leadership, WOCCU significantly expanded not only its membership, but also its influence in credit union development worldwide.

WOCCU launched development programs in Ethiopia, Haiti, Peru and other countries, as well as seeing its development program in Afghanistan grow significantly. During his tenure, WOCCU convened its first technical congresses to train credit union managers in Africa, Latin America and the South Pacific.

WOCCU also launched the European Network of Credit Unions, the International Credit Union Regulators’ Network and the Global Women’s Leadership Network, a peer-to-peer and educational network that brings together women credit union leaders from both developed and developing countries.

In his six years at WOCCU’s helm, the organization successfully lobbied on behalf of member organizations in Costa Rica, Poland and other countries, as well as helped foster the passage of credit union legislation in Kenya and Malawi. The organization also represented the global credit union movement before the United Nations, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the International Accounting Standards Board and other international monetary organizations, successfully making the case for proper regulatory oversight on behalf of credit unions worldwide.

Prior to joining WOCCU, Crear was CUNA’s executive vice president of external relations and, before that, executive vice president and chief operating officer responsible for daily operations of the Madison, WI offices. In his career, he is credited with organizing 23 credit unions in his home state of Michigan and served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Connecticut and Indiana Credit Union Leagues.

In 2008, the Foundation for Polish Credit Unions, part of the Polish credit union system, awarded Crear the Feniks Prize, the Polish system’s most prestigious award, for WOCCU’s work helping strengthen credit unions in Eastern Europe. In 2007, he earned the Michigan Credit Union League’s (MCUL) Distinguished Service Award and was inducted into the MCUL Hall of Fame. In 2006, the Consumer Federation of America awarded him the Esther Peterson Consumer Service Award.

Crear also received the African-American Credit Union Lifetime Achievement Award, which was subsequently named after him, and a college scholarship was established in his name. He was inducted into both the Credit Union Executives Society (CUES) Hall of Fame and the Cooperative Development Foundation Hall of Fame and received the National Credit Union Foundation Herb Wegner Lifetime Achievement Award, the U.S. credit union movement’s highest honor.

2026 Recipient

Sandra DeVoe Bland, a distinguished professional with over 35 years of leadership, management, engineering, and technical experience at the Savannah River Site (SRS), is the first female and African American Chairman of SRP Federal Credit Union’s Board of Directors. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Georgia Tech and a master's degree in project management from Keller Graduate School of Management. She has over 27 years of SRP FCU board experience, mastering governance and consultative leadership utilizing strategic thought to execute her duties. She is employed by Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, the Management and Operations Contractor for SRS. Sandra is also the founder of S. J. DEVOE & Associates.  

As SRP FCU Board Chairman, Ms. DeVoe Bland has contributed to and ensured the financial safety and soundness of SRP. She has led the Board through rapid growth, the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and leadership transitions. This is evidenced by SRP’s stellar performance trend and delivery of solid results. Focusing on setting strategic direction and amplifying members’ voices, Ms. DeVoe Bland embodies servant leadership, reinforcing SRP’s commitment to its membership, communities, and “people helping people.” 

Beyond her board duties, Ms. DeVoe Bland is deeply committed to promoting financial literacy and stewardship within the community and throughout the southeast. She builds high performing teams and inspires others. She is actively involved in teaching financial education, champions the credit union movement, and advocates for members’ interests. 

With her unwavering dedication and inspiring leadership, Sandra DeVoe Bland ensures a brighter future for all those she serves. 

2015 Recipient

Michael Hale, a U.S. Army veteran, has been devoted to the credit union movement since 1975.

He is a founding member of the African-American Credit Union Coalition and served as the Coalition’s 1st official Chairman.

Mr. Hale served on the Board of the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES) where he served diligently for a number of years. He served on the National Association of Federal Credit Unions Regulatory Affairs Committee, the National Federation of Community Development Credit Union’s Capitalization Program Committee and the Arizona Credit Union League’s Boards as well. Mr. Hale is also a member of the Filene Research Institute Council.

Mr. Hale served as CEO of Andrew’s Airforce Base FCU in Suitland, MD. The credit union grew to over $700 million in assets and expanded into underserved areas of Washington, DC under his leadership.

2014 Recipient

Bert J. Hash Jr., is the retired President and CEO of the Municipal Employees Credit Union of Baltimore (MECU) Inc., a position he held from December 1996 to June 2014. Mr. Hash is a seasoned financial services executive with over 44 years experience in managing various aspects of banking and financial services. He worked for Equitable Bank for 15 years, and Provident Bank of Maryland for 12 years.

During his 18-year tenure in the Credit Union industry, Hash has been active on numerous boards. He has served as Chairman of the Maryland and District of Columbia Credit Union Association (MDDCCUA), Vice Chair of the Maryland Credit Union Foundation (MCUF), and Loan Committee Chair of the Baltimore Development Committee (BDC). He is also a member emeritus of the Board of Directors of the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC), and a member of the CUNA Mutual Group Board of Directors.

In April 2008, Maryland’s Governor O’Malley appointed him to the Board of Trustees for the Maryland Affordable Housing Trust (MAHT). In addition to being appointed to the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Commission in November 2012. In June 2012, Baltimore City Mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, appointed Mr. Hash to the Baltimore City Fire Commissioners Board.

Active in numerous professional and civic organizations, Mr. Hash currently serves as the Chairman of the newly merged Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity, Vice Chair of Morgan State University’s Foundation, Treasurer of the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership Board, and served as Chairman of the Industrial Development Authority of Baltimore City.

Awards:

• Morgan State University’s Alumnus of the Year, 1999
• Judith A. Burgin Memorial Credit Union Professional of the Year Award, 2004
• CEO of the Year by the Credit Union Times Magazine, 2007
• WMAR·TV “Lasting Legacy Award” in Baltimore, 2008
• Credit Union Executives Society’s Hall of Fame, 2008
• Wright Patman Credit Union Hall of Fame Award, 2010
• UFSC Nathaniel Harris Life Time Achievement Award, 2011
• Associated Black Charities Torch Bearer Award, 2011
• Phillip Randolph Community Service Award, 2012
• Credit Union Executive Society CEO Executive of the Year Award, 2012
• Havre de Grace High School Life Time Achievement Award, October 2013
• Baltimore Urban League – Whitney M. Young Award, 2014
• Daily Record 50 Most Influential Marylanders, 2014
• AACUC Pete Crear Life Time Achievement Award, 2014

Mr. Hash holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Morgan State University.  He has been married to his lovely wife Joan S. Hash for forty-four years and they reside in Ellicott City, Maryland.

2006 Recipient

Rita L. Haynes retired as CEO of Faith Community United Credit Union (FCUCU) in Cleveland, Ohio after serving the credit union as a director with many volunteer duties from 1958 to May 2011. Asset of the fledging Mt. Sinai Baptist Church Credit union when she and her husband, James, volunteered to help were less than $1,000. Upon her departure as CEO in 2011 assets were over $10 million owned by over 5,000 members.

Faith Community United Credit Union transitioned from a single church charter to a community development credit union in 1990 positioning it to have a paid staff and serve the entire county including the low-income south side of Cleveland where all the banks had fled and payday lending had set up shop. Partnering with WECO they were successful in acquiring a modern bank branch building with ATM access and offer full service six days a week.

She credits God for giving her wisdom to seek out partnerships and collaborate with larger organizations such as the Cleveland Chapter, Ohio CU League, Inner City Association of Minority Credit Unions, National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions, WECO, CUNA, AACUC, NAACP and Urban League.

Serving as the first Faith based Credit Union chairman of NFCDCU in 1992 positioned her for election on the national scene. She was elected to the Federation board as alternate in 1992 and served as a director until 2008. Rita led the board as chair from 2001 to 2006 during which time they pioneered IDAs, VISTAs, CDFI Fund, The Capitalization Fund, Small Business Partnership and accredited school in partnership with Southern New Hampshire University and CUNA. She was in the first graduating class.

In Ohio she served as director pioneering the Ohio CU Foundation and has the distinction of having the small credit union program in Ohio branded The Haynes Circle upon her retirement.

AACUC honored her in 2005 with the Pete Crear Lifetime Achievement award. The CUNA Foundation’s Herb Wagner Award in 2008 highlighted her “Grace Loan” pay-day loan alternatives products.

Rita and James are blessed to have been married for 58 years. Their daughter Jama, MBA, is COO at FCUCU and Spelman College Alumni Chair. Son James is employed at USPO. His daughter, Dr. Lateira Haynes teaches in L.A. and son James III graduated as a welder.

"To GOD be the glory for the things he has done."

2016 Recipient

Born in Detroit, Michigan Harold Michael Holmes was the 3rd child of Ledora and Shepherd Holmes, Jr., both deceased. he attended public schools in Detroit and obtained a B.S. degree in public affairs management from Michigan State University in east Lansing, Michigan. after graduation Harold joined the M&O Marketing Agency, he earned the professional designation of Life Underwriting Training Council Fellow.  He joined PFP in 1985, his first introduction to the Credit union world.

​He joined PFP in 1985, his first introduction to the credit union world, and quickly became a very successful sales representative for the company, which provides insurance programs and supplemental benefits to credit unions and their members.

​Holmes joined the AACUC family in 1998 when Leroy Nesbit Jr. shared with him the vision that Sheilah Montgomery, Shirley Jenkins and Pete Crear had about starting an organization that could help address the disparity gap of executive management positions for African-Americans in the credit union industry. He became an advocate for the AACUC, soliciting support from around the country.

2013 Recipient

Hubert Hoosman, Jr. is the Chairman of the Missouri Credit Union Association (MCUA). Nationally, he was appointed Board Member of the National Credit Union Foundation. He is on the World Leadership Committee of the World Council of Credit Unions and the Filene Advisory Committee. He is a charter member of the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) and serves as Treasurer of the AACUC Board of Directors. He also serves as a Board member of the Consumer Federation of America and spearheaded the AACUC MLK Foundation Build a Dream Initiative where he led the credit union movement to raise $1.2 million for the MLK Memorial in Washington, DC.

Mr. Hoosman is President/CEO of Vantage Credit Union with over $562 million in assets. Helping Take Vantage CU to New Heights

A native of East St. Louis, IL, Hoosman graduated from high school with a full basketball scholarship from the University of Missouri- St. Louis, and in 1982, he landed his first job as a teller for Educational Employees Credit Union (the credit union changed its name to Vantage Credit Union in 2002). Until his retirement in 2013, Hoosman has held several management positions while climbing the credit union ladder, including Loan Department Manager, Branch Manager, Vice President of Operations, Executive Vice President, and President/CEO of the credit union since 1994. When Hoosman started his career at the credit union in 1982, the asset size of the credit union was $34 million. Today, Vantage Credit Union is the fourth largest credit union in Missouri, with assets approaching $700 million.

Making an impact in the community because of the high level of poverty that still exists in East St. Louis, Hoosman has been constantly attentive to the programs for East St. Louis that have had his credit union’s support. Creating Opportunities for youth and young adults, in addition to numerous other endeavors in area schools, Hoosman also led the efforts to partner with East St. Louis High School officials in providing job opportunities. Students from select schools are afforded job-related work experience while acquiring financial education. The program has been extended to North County Technical High School where employees of Vantage CU participate with students in mock job interview exercises, providing interviewing skills and job leads for students seeking employment after high school graduation. Additionally, Hoosman has helped many students from the nearby University of Missouri- St. Louis by offering them internships at Vantage Credit Union. He was also able to offer full summer internships for college students through the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) “Reaching Toward the Future” program.

Hoosman has been honored as a positive role model for minority youths, receiving the St. Louis Sentinel’s “Yes We Can” award and was also recognized by the St. Louis Business Journal as one of the most influential minority business leaders in 2006.

Leading the CU Charge to Honor a National Hero Hoosman took the lead nationally with credit unions in helping to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by raising funds for a national monument which now stands in Washington, D.C. In 2006, Hoosman’s own credit union, Vantage Credit Union, donated the first $50,000 dollars. Hoosman then led the charge in organizing credit unions across the country to raise funds for the memorial. Working with AACUC, Hoosman was able to secure the support of 134 credit unions, 13 credit union leagues, 3 corporate credit unions, industry trade associations, and 6 credit union service organizations across America.

Leading locally, nationally and internationally, Hubert Hoosman has served in several capacities in various organizations, such as AACUC (as one of the original founders and board treasurer), Chairman of the Missouri Credit Union Association from 2004 through 2006, the Consumer Federation of America, a member of the World Leadership Committee for the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU), a member of the Filene Research Institute Advisory Committee, and as a member of the capitalization committee for the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions. Hoosman also served on the board of the National Credit Union Foundation. Hoosman has been a longtime supporter of America’s Credit Union Museum and was instrumental in collecting and providing important data about African-American involvement in the development of credit unions in this country.

Hoosman has also worked with WOCCU in the Caribbean, Kenya, Australia, Rwanda, Gambia, and Swaziland. Vantage Credit Union continues to host many groups from Africa in support of the WOCCU International Development Education Program. Following the hosting, Hoosman often becomes a mentor for the individuals.

2007 Recipient

As Director, Tawana James is responsible for overseeing the activities of the Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives by assisting in the NCUA’s risk mitigation program. This program also encourages credit union development, particularly in the expansion of the services that small credit unions provide to all eligible consumers. In addition, OSCUI provides national training, as well as one-on-one specialized technical assistance to credit unions. OSCUI establishes partnerships and administers the Community Development Revolving Loan Funding, including loans and technical assistance grants. Of the nation’s more than 8,000 federally insured credit unions, half are defined as small credit unions - 1,000 hold the special low-income designation, and over 4,000 have assets less than $10 million.

Prior to becoming the Director of OSCUI, James held several other senior level positions including Regional Director, Deputy Executive Director, Deputy Director of Examination and Insurance, and Associate Regional Director of Operation. These assignments included assisting the Executive Director in administering the day-to-day operations of NCUA’s 1000-person organization and overseeing Region II, which consisted of over 1,000 credit unions.

James started her career with NCUA in 1980 as a temporary accounting technician. She has been primarily based in the Washington DC area and has held non-senior level positions as Principal Examiner, Problem Case Officer, and Director of Supervision. She also served as a Loss Case Officer in the Office of Examination and Insurance.

2012 Recipient

Shirley Jenkins has served as a member of MCU’s Board of Directors since 1983. Ms. Jenkins was the first female President in the Board’s history, as well as the Board Secretary for more than 30 years, a position she currently holds. Ms. Jenkins also served as the Legislative Chair for a number of years, working with legislative leaders regarding credit union issues. Ms. Jenkins was instrumental in implementing youth programs at MCU and serves on the Board of Trustees for employee pension plans.

After a long career in New York City service, Ms. Jenkins retired as a Director from Housing Preservation and Development in 1984. Ms. Jenkins was appointed to the National Directors Advisory Panel in 2006 and was inducted into the NYS Credit Union “Hall of Fame.” Ms. Jenkins was appointed to the New York Credit Union Foundation’s Board, and also is a founding member of the African-American Credit Union Coalition. Over the years, she has received many accolades and awards, including AACUC’s “Pete Crear Award.” Ms. Jenkins was also elected to the Credit Union Association of New York’s Board of Directors, representing credit unions with assets of more than $500,000. She has been involved in the community and political affairs for over 60 years and has received multiple honors in community service.

​A graduate of the New Paltz Teachers College and the NYU and Cornell School of Industrial Labor Relations, Ms. Jenkins has five children, and is a proud grandmother, great grandmother, and foster parent.

2009 Recipient

2018 Recipient

Sheilah Montgomery is an expert chief executive in the community and financial services industry. She is the President/CEO of Credit Union of Atlanta, where she manages a multi-million-dollar budget, serves a diverse member base, and provide vision and leadership to the staff at multiple branches. Prior to leading Credit Union of Atlanta, Sheilah was President/CEO of 1st Choice Credit Union in Atlanta, GA. As the chief executive of 1st Choice for over twenty years, Sheilah strategically transitioned the organization into a growth stage by delivering innovative, high impact financial services to a diverse member base in one of the nation’s largest markets. As a part of the organizational development strategy, she directed the efforts to expand operations to two branches and guided the purchase/renovation of a new headquarters facility located in the historic Sweet Auburn District in Atlanta.

For almost four decades, Sheilah has been advancing the mission of the credit union movement while increasing the economic viability of individuals and communities. Acting on this passion, Sheilah partnered with several of the most influential credit union executives to establish the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC). As a founding member, Sheilah served as the first President and helped shape the organization’s identity, build the organization’s brand, increase public awareness and expand capacity and leadership influence. After her tenure as President, she remained in leadership as a Board member currently serving as Co-Chair of the Mentorship committee and Chair of the Marketing and Bylaws committee.

Sheilah is engaged in several community initiatives, programs and collaborative work groups centered on financial literacy, economic development and wealth building. She is a Board member of the Georgia Credit Union Executive Association, in which she was the first African-American President, the Atlanta Cooperative Development Corporation, and the Atlanta Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce. She is also a member of the Federation of Community Development Credit Unions, the Atlanta Business League, and the Concerned Black Clergy. She serves as a consultant of the Supervisory Committee of SPC Federal Credit Union (Atlanta) and is a member of The Georgia Credit Union Chapter, in which she served as the organization’s first African-American President.

As a well-known and respected professional, Sheilah was recently selected as one of the 100 Most Influential African-American Women in Atlanta by the Atlanta Business League, Business Woman of the Year by Rolling out Magazine, and is a recipient of the 2009 Georgia Minority Business Heritage Award. She is a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Stone Mountain and frequently volunteers with schools and community groups to promote financial literacy among youth. She was the keynote speaker for several CU Conferences. Sheilah uses her non-profit leadership experience to train executives on Board relations and often leads groups in collaborative strategic planning.

Sheilah received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Clayton State University, is a graduate of the Southeast Regional Credit Union School (SRCUS) and completed the highly competitive credit union executive institute programs at the Wharton School of Business, Cornel University Business School, and Johnson School of Business where she was designed as a Certified Chief Executive.  Sheilah resides in the Atlanta metropolitan area with her husband, Robert.

2022 Recipient

Tyrone Muse is currently the President and CEO of Visions Federal Credit Union, a $5.6 billion financial institution headquartered in Endwell, NY serving over 230,000 members primarily in three states (New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania).  

Muse’s roots are southern, but he was raised in Wallkill, NY.  He attended the Northeastern University in Boston, MA on a track scholarship where he attained his undergraduate degree, master’s in accounting and his MBA.   Muse has over 30 years in the financial services industry working at institutions such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, Goldman Sachs (Controller at Archon Group – Real Estate Division), GE Asset Management, and Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union (now known as HVCU).  He is also a Certified Public Accountant.  

 Muse serves on a number of boards both locally and across the country in an effort to support both the region which he resides and the credit union industry as a whole.  He has received numerous awards for his efforts in supporting these causes and advocates that giving of your time and resources is a responsibility we should all participate in.  He was inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame class of 2021.  

 Muse leads and mentors his staff and others by using positivity and encouragement. He believes winning is contagious and fun which is evidenced by his overall approach to life and management style.  He urges everyone to find that “one thing” they are passionate about to make their life, family, job or community better.  He promotes this approach hoping it will lead to thousands of “one things” to make our communities and world better. Muse proudly states that his greatest accomplishment is marrying his wife and raising his two daughters.  

2006 Recipient

Leroy Nesbit, Jr., is an AACUC Board Member and a longtime board member of DORT Federal Credit Union in Flint, Michigan. For over 31 years, Nesbit has been a volunteer in the credit union movement. He has served as Chairman of the Credit Committee, Chairman of the Personnel Committee, Chairman of the Development Committee and Chairman of the Legislative Committee. In addition, Nesbit has been 1st and 2nd Vice-Chairman and Treasurer of the Board. Nesbit is the First African-American to serve the National President of the Council of GM Credit Unions and the Chief Coordinator of the Combined Council of Automotive Credit Unions. Nesbit is also an active volunteer with the Michigan Credit Union League, having served as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Michigan Credit Union Leagues Annual Meetings and on the Leagues Credentials and Government Affairs Committees. Nesbit has led efforts to improve the community by serving as President of the Michigan Travel Commission, Board member on the Disability Network, 3rd Vice-President of the NAACP, President of the Mariah Group in Washington, DC and serving as spokesperson for Spreading Organ Awareness Program at the Hurley Hospital Medical Center.

2004 Recipient

William “Bill” Porter is the recently retired President/Chief Executive Officer for the Municipal Credit Union in New York. He is the First African-American CEO to build and lead a billion dollar plus asset credit union.

In November 1981, he joined the Municipal Credit Union as Chief Executive Officer when the credit union had only one branch, 100 employees and $97 million in assets. Under his leadership, the credit union grew to serve over 300,000 members. He expanded the service reach by adding nine full-service branches, four express branches and three mini branches, 530 employees, 160 ATM’s and over $1.4 billion in assets. A graduate of New York City Public Schools and New York University, he received Executive Management training at the University of Illinois.

In 1956, he joined Citibank as a part-time messenger while attending college. During his twenty-five year career with Citibank, he achieved the title of Vice President and was the first African-American to manage a midtown Manhattan branch and a Wall Street branch. Some of his awards included Harlem YMCA “Black Achievers in Industry,” Omega PSI PHI Outstanding Citizen of the Year, International Dynamic Educational Association Man of the Year, Central Baptist Church Achievement Award and the Mid Manhattan NAACP Humanitarian Award. AACUC recently named the SWAMI Scholarship the “William Porter SWAMI Scholarship.”

2010 Recipient

Mrs. Rogers, who helped charter NRS Community Development FCU in 1996 after a 20 year career with Bell South, has become recognized nationwide as a leading spokeswoman for smaller, faith-based community development credit unions. She serves as Board Chairman of the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions and is a member of the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC). Mrs. Rogers also has served on the Federation’s Education and Training Committee, Membership Committee and has participated actively in its Faith-Based Credit Union Task Force.

2002 Recipient

Maudelle Shirek is a former Vice Mayor and eight term City Council member of the City of Berkeley California. She did much to change the economic landscape of her community through her service as an office manager of the Co-op Credit Union. Throughout her career she remained committed to the credit union as a means of uplifting the community. She devoted much of her energy as board chair and visionary for the credit union.

Shirek moved to Berkeley in the 1940s and immediately gained a reputation for her dedication to civil rights issues. She was active in the antiwar movement, was a staunch union supporter, founded two Berkeley senior centers, championed HIV/AIDS awareness, and helped organize the Free Mandela movement. She was also instrumental in creating multiple City Commissions, including the Berkeley Commission on Labor. These Commissions are made up of Berkeley residents, who play a role in City policy-making.

At the end of her tenure, she was one of the eldest elected officials in the State of California. In 2005, Berkeley sought to name the Berkeley main post office after Shirek, but the attempt was defeated in Congress. In 2007, the Berkeley City Council renamed City Hall in her honor.

2010 Recipient

Helen Godfrey Smith is President/CEO of Shreveport Federal Credit Union a position held since 1983. She has built Shreveport Federal to be one of the fastest growing credit unions in the area, from a small $1.9 million institution to a strong $65-million institution. Shreveport Federal serves members in the North Louisiana Parishes of Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Lincoln, Madison, and Morehouse with four branch offices. Mrs. Smith is a founding member and former Chairwoman of the African American Credit Union Coalition. Her volunteerism is lengthy. She is a newly appointed member of Louisiana’s Gov. Bobby Jindal’s State Land and Mineral Board; Chairperson of the Louisiana Credit Union League’s Audit Committee; Board member of Louisiana Credit Union Co-operative Branching; Member of the Louisiana Credit Union Executive Association; Member of the Governor’s Louisiana Women’s Policy and Research Commission to name a few. She partnered with the World Council of Credit Unions and traveled to South Africa training credit unions.

2019 Recipient

Maurice Smith is the CEO of Local Government Federal Credit Union. LGFCU is a financial cooperative serving the financial needs of employees, appointed officials, elected officeholders and volunteers of local governments in North Carolina.

Smith began his career in financial services as a loan officer for State Employees' Credit Union. Smith served in several capacities including vice president/city executive and vice president of marketing and training. Smith joined LGFCU in 1992 as the Executive Vice President, was promoted to President in 1999, and named Chief Executive Officer in 2017.

Smith received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and earned a Juris Doctorate from the North Carolina Central University School of Law. Smith is licensed to practice law in North Carolina, the United States Supreme Court and the District of Columbia. He is also a North Carolina Certified Superior Court Mediator.

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

Smith and his wife have two adult children and live in Cary, North Carolina. He is a Deacon at Wake Chapel Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, and participates in several professional, community and civic activities.

2011 Recipient

Barbara Stephens was introduced to the credit union industry in 1976 as a teller at San Diego County Credit Union. It was there that she realized the true meaning of the credit union’s philosophy “People Helping People.” This inspired her so that she decided to make the credit union industry her career. She quickly excelled by advancing in numerous positions.

In 1979 Stephens moved from San Diego to Houston. In Houston she continued her professional passion, love for “the – CREDIT UNION MOVEMENT.” She served as Branch Manager of IBM Credit Union, Vice-President of Met Tran Federal Credit Union and later promoted to President.

In September 1992, Stephens became the first African-American to hold the position of President/CEO at Houston Municipal Employees Credit Union.   With 39 years in the credit union industry serving on various boards and committees, Stephens has made a tremendous impact, not only in the State of Texas, but on the national level.

In 2009, Stephens was selected as a recipient of the Cornerstone Award by NAFCU, presented with a “Shining Star” award by the Galena Park/Houston Metroplex Chapter of the National Women of Achievement. She has served on the Texas Credit Union League Board, Credit Union Managers Association, and Houston Chapter of CU’s. Today, she is serving on the African-American Credit Union Coalition Board of Directors of which she received the Pete Crear Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011, Chair of the CDIP Committee for the National Federation of CDCU’s and Board Member of the Shadow Creek Ranch Homeowners Association.

Stephens, a survivor and fighter has always been ready to meet a challenge whether in her professional, community or personal life. According to Credit Union Times reporter Michelle Samaad, “if anyone can look a challenge squarely in the eye, decide right away to conquer it and come out shining on the other end, its’ Barbara Stephens.”   In November 2005, Stephens was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her reaction…”either I’m going to let it defeat me or I’m going to beat it.” That was Ten years ago, a survivor and fighter.

Barbara is married to Reginald Stephens and has 4 children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.   She is a proud member of the Fort Bend Church in Sugarland under the Leadership of Pastor Byron C. Stevenson.

2007 Recipient

As the Regional Director, Alonzo A. Swann III is responsible for coordinating the examination activities for over 1,700 federally insured credit unions in the following: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee and the Virgin Islands. He has held this position since September 1997.

Swann joined the National Credit Union Administration’s (NCUA) Chicago Region as an Examiner in Gary, Indiana in February of 1983, examining Indiana, Illinois and Missouri credit unions for six years. He has held various positions within the agency during his career progression that include Program Officer, Office of Examination and Insurance; Director, Division of Operations - Office of Examination and Insurance; Director, Division of Supervision - Office of Examination and Insurance.

Prior to becoming the Atlanta Region’s Regional Director he served for three years as Associate Regional Director of Field Operations in NCUA’s Chicago Region. Raised in Gary, Indiana, Swann is a graduate of Indiana University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1981 and a Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Data Processing and Information Systems in 1983. He spent four years on active duty in the U.S. Air Force and currently is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves. Between his active and reserve duty, Alonzo has served his country for over 32 years.

2008 Recipient

Richard “Dick” Turnley has been the CEO/Manager and Treasurer for the Southern Teachers & Parents Federal Credit Union since 1959. Southern Teachers & Parents Federal Credit Union is the oldest black-owned financial institution in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

It is a $30.1 million financial institution. In 1972, he entered electoral politics and was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives where he served until 1984 when he was elected to the Louisiana Senate. He immediately became involved in rewriting and sponsoring legislation to benefit Louisiana’s citizens.

Turnley’s career in finance began as an Accounting instructor at Southern University and A & M College. During the 1960s, Turnley partnered with Mr. J.K. Haynes in organizing and providing technical support to credit unions in parish school systems throughout the state of Louisiana. Turnley assisted newly formed credit unions with establishing financial and operational procedures.

Turnley was elected Vice-President of the Louisiana Credit Union League, and CUNA Mutual Statewide Policy Owners’ Council representative. He is a member of the Louisiana Corporate Credit Union Supervisory Committee, and a former member of the Louisiana League’s Legal and Legislative Committee as well as CUNA’s Accounting and Financial Reporting Open Committee, and CUNA’s Political Action Committee.

In 1995, the World Council of Credit Unions selected Turnley and a few others to participate in the “People to People” program which took him on a trip to South Africa to provide technical assistance to the South Africa Credit Union League, and the University of the Western Cape. Subsequent trips to South Africa were made in 1996 at which time he chaired a group of African-American Credit Union professionals to evaluate and assist in the growth and development of the credit union movement. In 1997, he served as a training facilitator for six (6) South African Credit Union professionals.