Credit unions mourn the loss of Miriam Rivera Lieb Vellek
ALEXANDRIA, VA (October 6, 2015) — Miriam Rivera Lieb Vellek former CEO of Transportation Federal Credit Union died peacefully at home on September 27, 2015 after a brief battle with cancer.
The Credit Union community has lost a dear friend, valued colleague, a passionate advocate and an industry leader. Mimi, as she was known to her friends, served with Transportation Federal Credit Union for 24 years. During Mimi’s tenure as president and CEO, the credit union grew from assets of $20 million to $150 million at the time of her retirement in 2007.
Mimi’s roots run the depth and breadth of the credit union landscape upon which she left her mark. Her career began in 1970 as a teller with the New Mexico Central Credit Union in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and was later promoted to general manager. In 1976, she was named CEO of the Department of Interior Federal Credit Union in Washington, DC. She joined Transportation Federal Credit Union as CEO in 1983.
Over the next 24 years, Mimi would become a tireless advocate and vocal leader of the credit union movement. She believed that credit unions should reflect the core credit union principles of people helping people, and those leaders who do not practice these values do a disservice to their members and to the movement itself.
Her many professional accomplishments include being one of the original principals of Encore Electronic Service Cooperative, now part of CO-OP Financial Services. She served as director and secretary/treasurer for the board. She also helped create two additional CUSOs, Encore Branch Services Corp and Ongoing Operations, LLC. She served on the board of directors for the DC Credit Union League, and as its treasurer and chair. Mimi was one of the first women to serve as a National Director on the CUNA board and on a number of CUNA and NAFCU taskforces and committees. She was awarded the League’s prestigious Wright Patman Memorial Award in 2000.
Since retiring, Mimi devoted her time to her love of glass art, and volunteering her services to Meals on Wheels and a variety of art organizations. In October 2014, friends, family, directors, former peers and colleagues gathered to pay tribute to this extraordinary woman. With great pride and admiration, we watched her receive the distinguished MACUMA Lifetime Achievement Award for helping to advance the credit union movement and for her years of service and support to the Washington Metropolitan area credit union community.
Jeff Arvai, President and CEO of Transportation FCU said, “We have lost a member of our TFCU family. Mimi was both a mentor and close friend. The best way to honor her legacy is to continue the work that she so passionately believed in – serving others.”
A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 7 at 10:00 a.m. at the Christ Church, 118 N. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial gifts to Capital Caring at www.capitalcaring.org or by mail at 2900 Telestar Court, Falls Church, Virginia 22042
About Transportation Federal Credit Union
Transportation Federal Credit Union (transfcu.org) has for over 80 years proudly served the transportation community, including the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Railroad Association, Department of Maritime Administration, and their supporting organizations. Driven by a philosophy of Different Roads, One Destination, the Credit Union remains committed to its core purpose of enhancing the financial well-being of transportation workers, retirees, and their families. With assets of over $229 million and serving more than 21,000 members, Transportation FCU believes that no matter the road, the Credit Union is here to help lead the way to financial wellness and security.
