Paul Mercer honored with AACUL’s Farley Award
WASHINGTON, DC (March 3, 2023) — Paul Mercer, president of the Ohio Credit Union League, was recognized with the 2023 Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award by the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) at a reception held in conjunction with the 2023 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC).
The award honors a league president who demonstrates visionary leadership at the state and national levels.
“I am deeply honored by this special recognition. Eugene Farley was a leader I admired and looked to earlier in my League career. To see his example continue to be celebrated through leaders across the state and national system is meaningful. Working for credit unions and leagues matters, makes a difference, and fortifies the Movement for the future. It is an extraordinary privilege to work alongside inspiring system leaders committed to the same vision,” said Paul Mercer.
Mercer joined the Ohio Credit Union League in 1992. Since 1997, he has been president of the Ohio Credit Union League and its affiliated organizations: OCUL Services Corporation, its state and federal political action committees OCULAC and OCULPAC, its grant-making organization the Ohio Credit Union Foundation, and its advocacy reserve entity the Ohio Credit Union Defense Coalition.
“Paul is a catalyst for cooperation in Ohio and nationally. Furthermore, he instills those cooperative values in the people he hires, making the league and ultimately the credit union system even stronger,” shared AACUL President Brad Miller. “Paul truly wants every credit union, league, and CUNA to flourish. He is one of the most outspoken promoters of the three-tier system and well-respected for his views.”
AACUL Chair and Dakota Credit Union Association President/CEO Jeff Olson praised Mercer, “Paul is the epitome of a servant leader. He has consistently impacted the CUNA League System through his purposeful and authentic leadership. If there was ever an individual that Gene Farley would be proud to see receive this award, it’s Paul Mercer.”
Paul serves various joint venture and collaboration Boards, including: Cooperative Business Services, ViClarity, and Plexcity. He served as AACUL Board Chair as well as on the boards of the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), the Filene Research Institute, National Credit Union Foundation and League Infosight.
About American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL)
The American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) is the national association for the state and regional credit union leagues/associations throughout the United States. AACUL’s mission is to leverage the collective power of Leagues to create advocacy wins for credit unions and build a strong network of credit union associations. We do this by providing advocacy support to yield impact, fostering collaboration and professional development for league staff, and representing the League System to the national association and other industry partners in order to protect and advance a vibrant credit union system.
About Ohio Credit Union League
The Ohio Credit Union League is a state trade organization representing the collective interest of 225 credit unions providing advocacy, compliance and information services, educational opportunities, communications, media, and outreach support. Credit unions are not-for-profit financial institutions owned and democratically controlled by their members. Ohio credit unions provide savings, loans, and other consumer-friendly financial services to more than three million members.
