FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
10/26/2021
Washington, DC   

Forty-four credit union professionals earned designations signifying their expertise by successfully completing CUNA Marketing & Business Development Certification School, endorsed by CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council, which took place virtually in October.  

“Our recent graduates’ designations as either Credit Union Certified Marketing Executive (CUCME) or Credit Union Business Development Professional (CUBDP) indicate they have achieved significant professional growth in their chosen discipline,” said Ariel Bilskey, director of blended learning at Credit Union National Association. “They have shown their commitment to growth and have become go-to professionals in their credit unions.” 

Credit Union Certified Marketing Executive (CUCME) is achieved by attending all three years of CUNA Marketing & Business Certification Schools and passing a comprehensive exam at the end of each term. These 19 graduates earned their CUCME designation: 

• Danielle Anderson, Manager-Youth Services at Altra FCU
• Benjamin Bauer, VP of Awesomeness (Marketing) at Simplicity Credit Union
• Kristen Cote, Marketing Specialist at Leominster CU 
• Lauren Davis Callihan, Marketing Supervisor at Meritus Credit Union 
• Lyndsey Delatte, Marketing Coordinator at Louisiana FCU
• Dustie Donihoo, Administrative Assistant at Resource One CU 
• Tiphaney Grossestreuer, Marketing Manager at Achieve CU Inc 
• Amie Hinton, Marketing Director at AOD FCU 
• Kristin Kauffman, Chief Marketing Officer at Cedar Point FCU 
• Olympia Machuga, Marketing Manager at Alaska USA FCU 
• Jessica Palma, Marketing Specialist at 1st United CU 
• Kristen Patton, SVP-Marketing at Peach State FCU 
• Lindsay Quebedeaux, Manager-Marketing at Jefferson Financial FCU 
• Rae Quezada, Director-Marketing at Kelly Community FCU 
• Danielle Racca, Marketing Coordinator at First CU 
• Deanna Sargent, Sr. Marketing and Design Specialist at BMI FCU
• Jessica Stevenson, Marketing Director at Railroad and Industrial FCU
• Sarinya Sullivan, Product Marketing Specialist at Northeast CU 

CUNA Credit Union Business Development Professional (CUBDP) designation is earned by attending the business track of CUNA Marketing & Business Development Certification Schools and passing a comprehensive exam at the end of the course. These 26 graduates earned CUBDP designation: 

• Margie Baldwin, Business Development and Community Relations Manager at Michigan Schools & Government CU 
• Allison Brewer, Marketing & Bus. Development Coordinator at Carolina FCU 
• Lyndsey Brown, Marketing Manager at Pioneer FCU 
• Wayne Cameron, VP-Marketing/Business Dev at Jackson Area FCU 
• Amber Cobos, Graphic Designer at Pioneer FCU 
• Bethany Corriea, Business Development Specialist at Ent CU 
• Irlanda Cuevas, Business Development Rep at Hughes FCU 
• Amanda Edwards, Business Relationship Representative at ELGA Credit Union 
• Aaron Fewkes, Marketing Director at Connections CU 
• Courtney Gray, Business Development Specialist at NRL FCU 
• Brian Griffin, Membership Development Officer at Local Government FCU 
• Julie Halcomb, Member Center Manager at CEFCU 
• Betty Jo Halvorson, Member Experience Leader at United Trades FCU 
• Donna Hennessey, AVP Private Banking & Business Development at Allegacy FCU 
• Kimberly Hunter, Community and Business Development Manager at Star One Credit Union 
• Sandra Lambert, Business Development Rep at Louisiana FCU 
• Felicia Pope, VP-Marketing/Bus Dev at ArrowPointe FCU 
• Douglas Reinking, Member Center Manager at CEFCU 
• Joaquin Rivas, Community Development Officer at Excite Credit Union 
• Stefanie Rupp, Community Development Manager at Orange County's Credit Union 
• Harrison Stafford, Business Development Officer at Georgia United CU 
• Alicia Strange, Senior Manager, Public Relations & Community at Y-12 FCU 
• Ashley Switzer, Marketing Representative at Financial Security CU 
• Tracy Thompson, Business Development Manager at Ent CU 
• Chantal Zarbaugh, Business Development Officer at Kauai Government EFCU

Next year’s CUNA Marketing & Business Development Certification School will take place October 2-6, 2022, at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. 

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About CUNA:           
Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by 120 million consumer members. CUNA, along with its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, delivers unwavering advocacy, continuous professional growth and operational confidence to protect the best interests of all credit unions. For more information about CUNA, visit cuna.org. To find your nearest credit union, visit YourMoneyFurther.com.

CONTACT:          
Lauren Williams        
CUNA Communications        
202-672-3396