At this year's CUNA Operations & Member Experience Council and Technology Council Conference in Chicago, awards were presented to credit union professionals for their outstanding accomplishments in their respective fields. Complete coverage of the conference can be found here. 

The Excellence in Technology Awards recognize credit union technology professionals who have shown outstanding commitment and innovation in their field. This year’s winners included:

• Best of Show: WSECU in Olympia, Wash, for their “Digital Lending Transformation” entry (assets > $500 Million);
• Lone Star CU in Dallas, for their “Dream Big and Go For It! Technology is a Game Changer no matter your Size” entry (assets < $150 Million);
• Merck Sharp & Dohme FCU in Chalfont, Pa. in collaboration with Fiserv, for their “Going Big on Biometrics” entry (assets > $500 Million);
• OCCU in Eugene, Ore., for their “OCCU Member 360” entry (assets > $500 Million); and 
• WSECU in Olympia, Wash., for their “Digitizing Member Engagement” entry (assets > $500 Million)

The Excellence in Operations & Member Experience Awards are likewise awarded to professionals who have facilitated unique, innovative or otherwise outstanding approaches to member service at their credit unions. This year’s winners included:

• Best of Show: Verve, a Credit Union in Oshkosh, Wis., for their “Anatomy of a Servant Leader” entry (assets > $500 Million) in the Sales and Service Management category;
• BCU in Vernon Hills, Ill., for the Contact Center / E-Support Operations category for their “BCU Stands Up Puerto Rico Call Center” entry (assets > $500 Million);
• One Detroit CU in Detroit, Mich., won in the Miscellaneous category for their “Root Awards” entry (assets < $150 Million); 
• GECU in El Paso, Texas, won in the Miscellaneous category for their “Enriching Member Waiting Queue” entry (assets > $500 Million); and 
• Alliant CU in Chicago, won in the Sales and Service Management category for their “BE...........” entry (assets > $500 Million).

The Professional of the Year Award for both the CUNA Operations & Member Experience Council and the CUNA Technology Council recognizes the individuals who exemplify excellence in all aspects of operations and member experience and information technology. This year’s winners:

• 2019 Operations & Member Experience Professional of the Year: Kristin Steede, VP Learning & Development, Verve, a Credit Union, Oshkosh, Wis.; and 
• 2019 Technology Professional of the Year: Donald Blair Elzinga, Senior Software Developer, OCCU, Eugene, Ore.

The Top Community Contributor Awards recognize the value and expertise shared with peers through collaboration within the CUNA Councils Community. This year’s winners include:

• CUNA Technology Council winners: Richard Borden, VP of IT/ISO, Blackhawk Community CU, Janesville, Wis.; Michael Parks, VP of Information Technology, Suncoast CU, Tampa, Fla.; and
• CUNA Operations & Member Experience Council winners: Amy Beaumont, VP of Consumer Loans & Member Service, Black Hills FCU, Rapid City, S.D.; Rosalyn Hudson, VP of Member Service Operations, Sharonview FCU, Fort Mill, S.C

Finally, Vendor Speed Rounds provided fast-paced, high-impact opportunities for exhibiting vendors to showcase and demonstrate their products and services to conference attendees. This year’s Best of Show winner is:

• Glia, www.glia.com

Learn more about CUNA Operations & Member Experience Council Awards and CUNA Technology Council and Awards by visiting cunacouncils.org/awards.