Press

Bay Federal Credit Union announces second consecutive “Crash the GAC” representative

Jason Stidham selected to represent Bay Federal at largest CU advocacy conference

CAPITOLA, CA (February 11, 2020) — Bay Federal Credit Union has announced that Communications & Development Manager Jason Stidham has been selected to attend Crash the GAC 2020 by The Cooperative Trust and Credit Union National Association to represent the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. Stidham is the second consecutive participant from Bay Federal to be selected for the program.

Crash the GAC is a non-stop, career-changing program for young credit union professionals that allows them to participate in the CUNA Government Affairs Conference, the industry’s largest advocacy conference. The program also allows complimentary registration, exclusive networking opportunities, leadership development tools, and mentoring sessions with industry leaders from organizations such as Filene Research Institute, CUNA, and National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF).

“The Crashers bring so much energy and passion to CUNA GAC,” said CUNA President and CEO Jim Nussle. “I always look forward to meeting each new group, knowing that these folks are the people that will lead our movement in the future. I am so impressed with this year’s class and I am excited to see where this leadership opportunity takes them in their careers. CUNA is proud to join Filene and The Cooperative Trust to make this special program possible year after year.”

Representing nearly every U.S. state, the 2020 class of Crashers includes 60 emerging leaders with diverse roles at their credit unions. Crashers are selected though a highly competitive process, earning free attendance at CUNA GAC where they can network and learn from over 5,000 top credit union advocates.

“We are thrilled for Jason to be Bay Federal’s second consecutive Crasher,” said Bay Federal President and CEO Carrie Birkhofer. “Crash the GAC is such an important opportunity to locally advocate for the credit union movement. Jason’s enthusiasm and passion for the credit union philosophy will allow him to take full advantage of this wonderful program.”

“We are excited to introduce the next generation of leaders to this life-changing experience,” Filene Director for Community Development Cortney Angeley commented. “The Cooperative Trust and the Crash Program provides exceptional experiences to help emerging leaders develop their careers. Most importantly, the connections made at CUNA GAC are a catalyst to building a life-long network of passionate credit union advocates.”

Crash the GAC and other Crash events throughout the year are designed to spark new ways of thinking and build lasting relationships for young professionals within the credit union industry. Crashers will leave the nation’s capital with a new hunger to help strengthen their communities and organizations. This highly competitive opportunity is a launching pad for many young professionals’ careers and gives them the confidence and insight to make a profound and lasting impact in the industry.

Crash the GAC was created by the Cooperative Trust and Filene Research Institute and is made possible by the generous support of CUNA, and with help from League partners.

Jason Stidham, Communications & Development Manager, is Bay Federal’s second consecutive participant in the Crash the GAC Program.


About Bay Federal Credit Union

Bay Federal Credit Union is a full-service, not-for-profit financial institution that serves over 86,000 members and 2,400 local businesses throughout Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties. With more than $1.6 billion in assets, Bay Federal is the largest member-owned financial institution in the region. The organization has been proudly serving its members and the community since 1957. Bay Federal is a certified Community Development Financial Institution, with a primary mission of promoting community development alongside their financial activities. Bay Federal has an award-winning employee volunteer program in which employees have given their own money and volunteer for numerous local schools, nonprofit organizations, and community events each year.

About Filene

Filene Research Institute strengthens organizations through innovative research and incubation to improve consumer financial well-being. As an independent cooperative finance think tank, Filene’s membership network connects a community of leaders and bright minds to change lives through innovation, truth and cooperation. In addition to delivering cutting- edge, actionable academic research, Filene also provides incubators to test and scale solutions, events to spark organizations into action and advisory services to help accelerate and implement innovation. For more information, visit filene.org and @fileneresearch.

About The Cooperative Trust

The Cooperative Trust, with its award-winning Crash programming, is the international community of young credit union professionals, brought to you by Filene Research Institute and made possible by Credit Union National Association. To learn more, check it out live at cooperativetrust.com.

About CUNA

Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by more than 15 million consumer members. CUNA, along with its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, delivers unwavering advocacy, continuous professional growth and operational confidence to protect the best interests of all credit unions. For more information about CUNA, visit cuna.org.

Contacts

Amy Ivey,
SVP, Chief Marketing Officer
Bay Federal Credit Union
831.477.8409
aivey@bayfed.com

More News