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G.Vernon Babilon Named President of Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union
TUCSON, AZ –Tucson Old Pueblo Credit Union’s Board of Directors has selected Vern Babilon as CEO/President of the organization. Mr. Babilon will assume the role previously held by Joseph Mirachi on January 7, 2013. In August 2012, Joseph Mirachi, who served TOPCU for four years, announced his plans to move to Coco Beach, FL to run Kennedy Space Center FCU.
“Throughout our search, Vern far exceeded the Board’s expectations and quickly rose to the top during a very competitive hiring process. His skills are many and he certainly has the experience and qualifications to lead TOPCU into the future,” said Richard Prater, Board Chair. “With over 22 years of credit union experience, including a stint as the industry’s youngest CEO in 1989, Vern possesses unique skills in lending, collections, marketing, and operations.”
Before joining TOPCU, Mr. Babilon was the owner of GVBabilon Associates—a recruiting firm located in Cypress, TX with a focus of serving credit unions, community banks and CPA firms. Vern has a passion for the credit union movement and remains current on credit union wide trends, regulations and activities. Before starting his own firm, Vern was a top executive at credit unions for 25 years. He spent 16 years as CEO of Bellco FCU in Reading, PA and five years as EVP/CFO at People’s Trust FCU in Houston, TX.
Vern’s formal education and credit union specific credentials are extensive. He earned his B.A. in Banking/Finance and Accounting at Alvernia College in Reading, PA and followed that with a Master’s of Business/Management Degree from Penn State University. He became a certified credit union executive (CCUE) in 1993, a certified public accountant (CPA) in 1994, and a certified credit union financial counselor (CCUFC) in 2009. He has attended the Penn State Judge/Bradley Credit Union School and the Georgetown University Executive Education Course. Over the years, he has attended numerous credit union and banking conferences presented by the AICPA, CUNA, PSCU, PA League Leadership, and Prime Alliance. He has also attended both the state and national Government Affairs Conference (GAC) for credit unions. Vern believes in continuous education. His CPEs for his CPA license are current and he reads the Credit Union Journal every week. Vern’s current professional memberships include the Houston Chapter of Credit Unions, the Texas CPA Society, and the Houston CPA Society.
Vern’s community involvement over the years adds to his suitability for this position; TOPCU is involved supporting many City of Tucson events as well as working closely with Tucson Police Foundation and Greater Tucson Fire Foundation. He has been involved with mentorship programs, Meals-on-Wheels, Adopt a Highway, Muscular Dystrophy, sponsored high school theater and athletic events, Children’s Tumor Foundation and more.