Introducing CUES 2017 Exceptional Leader, Amy Downs, CCE
MADISON, WI (August 9, 2017) — CUES is pleased to announce Amy Downs, CCE, senior vice president/chief operating officer of $263 million Allegiance Credit Union, Oklahoma City, as the recipient of the 2017 CUES Exceptional Leader award. She will be honored at CUES’ CEO/Executive Team Network™, October 10-12, 2017, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
Downs, a CUES CEO Institute graduate, has worked for Allegiance Credit Union for over 25 years, rising to her current position of senior vice president/chief operating officer. In her role, she is a member of the executive management team in strategizing and directing the overall vision of her credit union. She directly supervises several areas including: consumer lending, information services, business development and financial services.
In April of 1995, Downs became one of fifteen surviving Allegiance Credit Union employees affected by the Oklahoma City bombing. She is a regular guest speaker at the Oklahoma City National Memorial, where she gives her first person account. She has used her experience as a survivor to inspire others to make positive lifestyle changes.
After the bombing, Downs launched a campaign of self-improvement and empowerment by participating in the Oklahoma City Mayor’s fitness challenge and lost 200 pounds. An avid cyclist and runner, she spends a lot of time training for marathons and triathlons.
In addition, Downs was moved to return to the classroom to complete her education, eventually receiving her Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership, and later a Master of Business Administration–both from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Okla.
Downs’ other accomplishments include earning the 2016 CUNA Rock Star Designation, being named a 2015 Journal Record Woman of the Year Honoree, and earning the 2014 Oklahoma City Fittest Executive Designation and the 2006 Southern Nazarene University Distinguished Achievement Award.
CUES Exceptional Leader award acknowledges decision-makers for their ambition, participation, and devotion to their credit union and the movement.
To find out more about CUES recognition awards, visit cues.org/recognition(www.cues.org/recognition). Visit cues.org/cnet(www.cues.org/cnet) for more on CUES CEO/Executive Team Network.
2017 CUES Exceptional Leader Amy Downs, Senior Vice President/COO, Allegiance Credit Union, Oklahoma City
About CUES
CUES is the leading talent development solutions provider for credit unions in North America. We educate, develop and support credit union CEOs, executives, directors, and emerging leaders through partnerships with premier business schools, live and online events, digital learning, networking, and premium content. With nearly 50,000 members and growing, we measure success one leader at a time.
Connect with CUES at CUES.org and on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram. For daily insights on issues impacting credit unions visit CUmanagement.com.
