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Geri Burek elected into the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame

NAPERVILLE, IL (April 10, 2017) — President/CEO of Evergreen Park-based South Division Credit Union, Geraldine “Geri” Burek has been inducted into the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.

Geri Burek, who served on the ICUL Board of Directors for 13 years, was inducted to the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame on Friday, April 7^th, during the ICUL Annual Convention’s Celebration Luncheon.

Geri has devoted more than 36 years of her life to the credit union movement. Beginning in 1981 as manager of Greyhound Employees Credit Union, Geri has demonstrated leadership skills, volunteerism, community service and dedication to the credit union movement in many different ways, both in Illinois and nationally.

A staunch advocate for financial literacy, Geri started one of the state’s first student branches at Brother Rice High School where she also taught financial literacy classes and participated in reality fairs.

Geri has also been a prolific fundraiser for both the ICU Foundation and CUPAC. She started the annual Women’s Golf Outing to raise funds for CUPAC, generating over $280,000 during its 20 year run. Throughout her career Geri has earned numerous accolades, including CUES Executive of the Year, and multiple awards in the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility and Desjardins Youth Financial Literacy award competitions.

In addition to her extensive credit union related activities, Geri has served as an elected community representative for the Chicago Public Schools, a Palos Heights library trustee, and is a certified WAGS therapy dog volunteer at Palos Community Hospital. She was also named Business Person of the Year by the Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce in 2011.

“Geri Burek is the person you want to serve on your board,” said Vicki Ponzo, SVP of Education & Member Resources for ICUL. “She takes on every task with determination, dedication and commitment. She can be relied upon to achieve 110% of any goal she takes on. I am honored to have been able to work with Geri for more than 30 years and have been inspired by her tireless efforts to help those in need through leadership, mentoring and friendship.”

This year’s theme, “The Art of Creating Value” represented a mission of the League to help Illinois credit unions create innovative ways to bring value to their members.

Credit Union Hall of Fame Inductee Geri Burek with Illinois Credit Union League President/CEO Tom Kane

About Illinois Credit Union League (IUCL)

The Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) is the primary trade association for 217 state and federal credit unions in Illinois. It focuses on providing legislative and regulatory advocacy, compliance assistance and information, and a wide range of educational and training services to those credit unions, who in turn serve approximately 3.4 million members. More information can be found at www.icul.com.