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24 leaders & organizations honored for excellence, achievements, and contributions to the credit union movement

Leagues Announce Annual Awards to CU Professionals, Volunteers, and Others

ONTARIO, CA (September 1, 2022) — The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues are pleased to announce honorees of this year’s League Awards, Advocacy Awards, and Chapter Awards!

 

Twenty-four industry leaders, volunteers, professionals, credit unions, and organizations — including Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Jeff Napper, president and CEO of LBS Financial CU — will be honored during a special ceremony at the Leagues’ flagship event, REACH 2022, in Palm Desert, CA this coming Nov. 1 – 4.

 

For 48 years, the League Awards have been one of the credit union industry’s most coveted, peer-nominated award programs. The following are this year’s honorees:

 

2022 Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award: This is the California Credit Union League’s highest recognition, honoring excellence in credit union philosophy and a lifetime of contributions to the California credit union movement. It is named after Leo H. Shapiro, father of the California credit union movement and founder of the California Credit Union League.

• Jeff Napper, President and CEO of LBS Financial CU.

2022 Distinguished Service Award: Honors credit union professionals’ ongoing and current contributions to the credit union community.

• Teresa Campbell​, President and CEO of San Diego County CU.
• Erin Mendez, President and CEO of Patelco CU.

2022 Social Impact Award (individual) — NEW THIS YEAR: Honors individuals who demonstrate an unyielding dedication to building stronger communities and improving members’ lives.

• Elizabeth Carr, President and CEO of Santa Cruz Community CU.
• Shaida Samimi, Membership Development Specialist for Patelco CU.

2022 Social Impact Award (organization) — NEW THIS YEAR: Honors credit unions that demonstrate an unyielding dedication to building stronger communities and improving members’ lives.

• Excite CU.
• Kinecta FCU.
• Silver State Schools CU.

2022 J. Alvin George Outstanding Volunteer Award: Honors significant contributions by people who serve credit unions in volunteer capacities.

• Dr. Leslie Chan, Board Treasurer of Kaiperm CU.
• Howard Sherer, Board Chair of Santa Cruz Community CU.

2022 Tomorrow’s Star Award: Honors the efforts of up-and-coming credit union leaders aged 35 and under, and encourages the development of future leaders.

• Alex Becerra, Relationship Manager for SAFE CU.
• Alexandra Christopher, Employee Development Coordinator for Great Basin FCU.

2022 Kim Bannan Eternal Flame Award (individual): Honors individuals’ contributions to the success of Shapiro Group credit unions.

• Karen Introcaso, President and CEO of Kaiperm FCU.

2022 Kim Bannan Eternal Flame Award (organization): Honors credit unions and other organizations’ contributions to the success of Shapiro Group credit unions.

• CUNA Mutual Group.

2022 Advocacy Awards: Honors those displaying extraordinary leadership in credit union advocacy and political action:

• 2022 California PAC Advocate of the Year: Eric Day, Senior Vice President of Board Advocacy and Strategic Initiatives for CU of Southern California.
• 2022 Nevada PAC Advocate of the Year: Scott Arkills, President and CEO of Silver State Schools CU.
• 2022 Volunteer of the Year: Rebecca Collier, Board Secretary for California CU.
• 2022 Shapiro Advocate of the Year: Jake Harbour, President and CEO of Santa Barbara County FCU.
• 2022 Nevada Advocate of the Year: Rick Schmidt, President and CEO of WestStar CU.
• 2022 California Advocate of the Year: Linda Rossi, President and CEO of Ventura County CU.
• 2022 Political Professional of the Year: Brent Tercero, Executive Director of Credit Union Advocacy for SchoolsFirst FCU.
• 2022 Nevada Advocate Credit Union of the Year: Boulder Dam CU.
• 2022 California Advocate Credit Union of the Year: California Coast CU.
• 2022 Supplier of the Year: ASI (American Share Insurance).

2022 Chapter Award of Excellence: Honors excellence in volunteerism within League Chapters.

• Marvel Ford (Greater Valley Chapter)
• Terrence Davis (Tri-County Chapter)

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About California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues

Headquartered in Ontario, California, the Leagues exist to help credit unions change people’s lives by supporting their operations, guidance, strategy and philosophy. Our trade association helps local credit unions in California serve nearly 13.8 million members and those in Nevada serve almost 400,000 members. Credit unions are for people, not profit!

Contacts

Brandi Gleason
Provost and Chief Operating Officer
Western CUNA Management School
brandig@wcmspomona.org