SE CUNA Management School Readies 35 for Leadership

Contact:
Barbara Lehew-Bickley
Director of Conferences & Training
800-235-4290, extension 419
blehew@sccul.org

COLUMBIA, SC (June 25, 2012)—The 2012 Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools’ (SRCUS) CUNA Management School in Athens, Georgia culminated Friday, June 15 with graduation of thirty-five credit union leaders (see list below and photo attached). Students hailed from a handful of Southeast states as well as the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and West Africa. The Southeast CUNA Management School (www.srcus.org) is held each summer at the University of Georgia’s Georgia Center with faculty from the Terry College of Business and credit union industry experts. Students who complete the program are equipped with skills and knowledge to meet leadership challenges that arise in the credit union industry.

The class represents a significant increase over the 2011 graduating class of twenty-one professionals, who began the three-year school in 2009 at the beginning of the economic downturn. That growth is indicative of the integrity and value of the Southeast CUNA Management School, which hosts students in residence each summer for eight days of course work. Between annual sessions, students apply new knowledge to projects that require strategic analysis of their credit unions and research of relevant issues.

This year the group was joined by Credit Union National Association (CUNA) President and CEO Bill Cheney and CUNA Chairman of the Board Mike Mercer, president and CEO of Georgia Credit Union Affiliates (GCUA). Cheney reviewed with them various challenges credit unions face today and the role CUNA plays in addressing those and supporting the movement.

“This school stands the test of time in helping credit union professionals to become leaders,” SRCUS Chairman Barbara Lehew-Bickley notes of SRCUS in contributing to movement development. Proof can be found in credit union management teams throughout the region and nation, in which former alumni are successful industry professionals. The new class looks forward not only to applying its new expertise but also to seeing others follow suit.

“Southeast CUNA Management School has been an amazing experience for me personally,” added SRCUS Class of 2012 President Stephen Smith, president and CEO at Fulton Teachers’ CU (GA). “The assignments and course material have broadened my knowledge, and classroom time has allowed our group to build a bond of friendship that will continue.”

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Southeast CUNA Management School Class of 2012:

• Nicole Shelton, Jefferson CU (AL)
• Brandee Bickle, Georgia CU Affiliates (GA)
• Stacie Clark, Delta Community CU (GA)
• Tanika Green, Delta Community CU (GA)
• Callista Kegley, United 1st FCU (GA)
• Lori Moore, Altamaha FCU (GA)
• Julia Novotny, Delta Community CU (GA)
• Stephen Smith, Fulton Teachers’ CU (GA)
• Amy Keith, Purdue FCU (IN)
• John Stanford, Heritage FCU (IN)
• Josh Wyatt, Ashland CU (KY)
• Jasmine Dupuis, Section 705 FCU (LA)
• Contance Kennie, Post Office Employees CU (LA)
• Lindsay Risinger, Barton Plant EFCU (LA)
• Tammy Sides, Geismar Complex FCU (LA)
• Herman Stevenson, Jr., Dow Louisiana FCU (LA)
• Chad Suggs, Dow Louisiana FCU (LA)
• Crystal White, Monroe Telco FCU (LA)
• Cindy Miller, Statewide FCU (MS)
• Pamela Burnette, Marine FCU (NC)
• Ira Williams, Allegacy FCU (NC)
• Gloria Barnes, Family Trust FCU (SC)
• Andrew Martenstyn, Family Trust FCU (SC)
• Romie Mitchell, SRP FCU (SC)
• Mary Moorer, Edisto FCU (SC)
• John Paul, MPCU (SC)
• Joshua Rhoden, SRP FCU (SC)
• Rebecca Curry, ORNL FCU (TN)
• Emily Gibson, ORNL FCU (TN)
• Leslie Sims, Cleveland Bradley Teachers FCU (TN)
• Darlene Swaney, Alcoa Tennessee FCU (TN)
• Harriet Walker, ORNL FCU (TN)
• Wendy Brown, BayPort CU (VA)
• Wendy Gillies, Amicus FCU (WA)
• Kusi Boachie Yiadom, GESRO CO-OP CU (Ghana, W. Africa)

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