Defense credit unions induct four into their Hall of Honor
WASHINGTON, DC (June 30, 2016) — On August 16, DCUC’s 53rd Annual Conference attendees will step out in their finest to celebrate the induction of four very special individuals to the DCUC Hall of Honor. The four honorees this year are: Edward Cody (PenFed CU), David Elliott (Fort Bragg FCU), J. Marvin Hawk (Fort Knox FCU), and Gordon Sam (Pearl Hawaii FCU).
The Council’s Recognition Task Force, led by Patsy Stuard, President/CEO, Fort Lee FCU, selected Edward Cody, Chairman, PenFed CU, for his 34 years of volunteer service at the credit union as well as the Pentagon Federal Credit Union Foundation. As Chairman of the Board, Cody takes a personal interest in the success of the credit union, spending many hours in PenFed branches greeting members as well as calling or writing to members following up on their concerns. He has made sure that giving back to the community remains a priority for PenFed. In 2015, the board approved contributions in excess of $2.5 million. Cody works extensively with veterans, creating a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business that finds education and employment opportunities for wounded, ill, and recovering servicemembers. On the nomination form Cody is quoted as epitomizing his own philosophy, “The three rules I live by are: Do what is right, do the absolute best you can, and treat others as you would like to be treated.”
The Defense Council’s second inductee, David Elliott, President/CEO, Fort Bragg FCU, was selected for his 27+ years of leadership at the credit union and his unwavering support of the Fort Bragg/Fayetteville community. During his tenure as CEO, the credit union has grown from $234 million in assets to $400 million and opened three new branches. The credit union has won numerous awards including the Dora Maxwell Award for Social Responsibility 1st place four times. As a part of his charity efforts, Elliott personally coordinates an annual day of golf that, to date, has raised over $300,000 benefitting several causes. Elliott has also made supporting military families a priority, especially during times of high deployment. Under his guidance, during 2007 and 2009 Elliott invited the family members of Fort Bragg soldiers to come to the Board Room of the credit union to record a video to their deployed loved ones free of charge.
J. Marvin Hawk, Vice Chairman of the Board, Fort Knox FCU, will be recognized for his long and distinguished career as a credit union volunteer. Starting his volunteer service with Fort Knox FCU in 1978, it was during his second term as chairman of the board (2009-2011) that he led the credit union through the rocky financial world after the 2008 recession. While other financial institutions struggled, Fort Knox FCU set asset growth records, expanded into new service areas, opened two new branches, and became the largest Kentucky-based credit union. Hawk was instrumental in the credit union becoming a major contributor to the Veterans Tribute Park, which pays tribute to the men and women of all military services including civil service workers who directly support the military. During his most recent tenure as chairman, Fort Knox won numerous awards especially in regards to Financial Literacy.
Last, but certainly not least, Gordon Sam, Chairman of the Board, Pearl Hawaii FCU, will be honored for his tireless work on behalf of credit unions at the local, state, and national levels. A member of Pearl Hawaii FCU since 1964, Sam started his volunteer service for the Credit Union industry over 25 years ago. The winner of numerous awards for this service, Sam is a fierce advocate for industry issues which included political, regulatory, financial education and literacy, elderly abuse, and compliance. Sam also assists his credit union and the Hawaii Credit Union League analyze economic metrics and data, interpret a variety of policy issues, and manage legislation to ensure credit unions thrive in the state of Hawaii. He has attended fifteen DCUC conferences and is an active member in the DCUC, NAFCU, and CUNA communities.
DCUC’s Hall of Honor was established sixteen years ago as a means of recognizing individuals whose contributions and inordinate support of the credit union movement added great value to the Defense Credit Union Council and defense credit union community. Former or current volunteers, and management and staff of DCUC member credit unions, whose lifelong achievements have been exceptionally noteworthy, are eligible for this prestigious award. Since August 2000, 58 individuals have been selected for this coveted award, including those inducted during the 17th Annual Hall of Honor Awards Dinner.
About Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC)
The Defense Credit Union Council is the premier resource for credit unions on all military and veteran matters. By maintaining a close and constant liaison with the Pentagon, the VA, Capitol Hill, and NCUA, the Council champions the interests of credit unions serving our military and veteran communities by coordinating policy, procedures, and legislation impacting morale and welfare, financial readiness, and the delivery of quality financial products and services. Organized in 1963, the Council’s membership is comprised of more than 180 credit unions with over 33 million members. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact DCUC at alert@dcuc.org.
