Two outstanding credit union professionals were inducted into the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas (CUAD) Hall of Fame during the Annual Awards Banquet which was held at the Delta Marriott in Fargo, North Dakota on April 30th. The Hall of Fame gives recognition to individuals who have shown exceptional dedication and have given outstanding service to the credit union movement in the Dakotas. It is the most prestigious honor that CUAD bestows, and celebrates an individual’s career contributions. CUAD is proud to announce that this year’s inductees are: Tim Brown, Sturgis, South Dakota; and Marney Kresel, Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Tim Brown’s long credit union career has spanned 22 years at several credit unions in both North and South Dakota. In 1992, Tim began working at Dakota Plains Federal Credit Union in Lemmon, South Dakota. He managed that credit union for eight years, and became involved on the South Dakota League board as the Old West Chapter representative. In 1998, he accepted the CEO position of Dakota Plains Credit Union in Edgeley, North Dakota, where he spent the next thirteen years working in the communities they served. He also became involved with the North Dakota League, and eventually served as Board Chair. Tim was the North Dakota Board Chair when the two states’ leagues united and merged in 2007, forming the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas. In addition, Tim chaired the Dakota League Service Corp for several years, chaired the North Dakota Governmental Affairs Committee, and served as the North Dakota Trustee for Credit Union Political Action Committee. He also served on several committees for the Credit Union National Association, including the Small Credit Union Committee and the Awards Committee. Following his retirement from Dakota Plains Credit Union, Tim spent one year working at Northern Hills FCU in Sturgis, South Dakota, before moving into his own credit union consulting work with North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana credit unions.
Marney Kresel’s credit union roots began in 1984, when she was asked to open a home office for the Grand Forks Telco Federal Credit Union in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and serve as the manager. She ran the little credit union from her home for four years. In 1991, she was hired as the Account Technician for University Federal Credit Union, also in Grand Forks. In 1998, she was promoted to Assistant Manager, and then assumed the CEO title in 2000. Under her leadership and vision, the credit union expanded their charter to include students of the University of North Dakota. She also obtained a low-income designation for the credit union, making them eligible for financial education grants to promote financial wellness around the campus. She held the CEO post until her retirement in 2016, serving the University FCU membership for 25 faithful years. However, she did not retire from the credit union movement. She was elected as Secretary of the Maurie C. Byrne Chapter of Credit Unions, and has held this position since January 2016. Even in retirement, she continues to give generously of her time and talents.
Marney Kresel with Jeff Olson
Tim Brown shown with Jeff Olson, CUAD President/CEO