CUNA to hold elections for board of directors

Nominations are now being accepted for eight open positions on CUNA’s Board of Directors. The deadline for nominations and seconds is Nov. 4.  

In contested elections, voting will begin Nov. 10 and close Dec. 15.  Nomination forms and additional information can be found on CUNA's website.

Each credit union nominee must be an employee or a voting board member of the nominating credit union, with the nomination seconded in writing by at least two other credit unions from the same class and, for Class A and B, district. 

Nominees to be elected by leagues must be a league chief executive officer and be nominated in writing by that league, with the nomination seconded in writing by at least one other league.

Directors elected will take office upon the adjournment of CUNA's Annual General Meeting (AGM), to be held February 27, 2023, during CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference.

Two Class A and two Class B positions are up for election as follows:

• District 1, Class A: Credit unions having less than 57,000 members in Connecticut, Delaware, DC, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.  Incumbent Lori Herrick (CT) will be seeking re-election.
• District 2, Class B: Credit unions with at least 57,000 and not more than 204,000 members in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. Dallas Bergl (IN) will not be seeking re-election.
• District 4, Class A: Credit unions having less than 57,000 members in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.  Incumbent Patrick Drennen (IA) will be seeking re-election.
• District 6, Class B: Credit unions with at least 57,000 and not more than 204,000 members in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, Johnston Atoll, Midway Atoll, Northern Mariana Islands, Palmyra Atoll and Wake Atoll.  Incumbent Nader Moghaddam (CA) will be seeking re-election.

Two Class C and two Class D positions are also up for election.  In Class C, Incumbent Brian Best (FL) will be seeking re-election; Tony Budet (TX) will not be seeking re-election.  In Class D, both incumbents – Charles Elliott (MS) and Scott Simpson (UT) – will be seeking re-election.

Elections for Class C (credit unions having more than 204,000 natural-person members) and Class D (leagues) will be conducted at-large nationwide, rather than by district. 

CUNA’s board has determined that a board candidate should possess certain qualities and characteristics. The board also desires to be diverse and inclusive. The board considers diversity to encompass all the characteristics, experiences and cultural influences that make each person unique. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent plays a significant part in the strength of the CUNA board. 

Candidates should consider these characteristics, experiences and influences when self-assessing their qualifications for a Board position.  Candidates will have the opportunity to address how they meet these characteristics as they complete their candidate profile form.  CUNA’s Board considers these characteristics important in qualified and diverse candidates:

• Demonstrated commitment and engagement in the CUNA/League System
• Involvement in their credit union community
• Proven decision-making skills
• Demonstrated local, state and national CUNA advocacy experience/efforts
• Business savvy
• Communication skills
• Strategic expertise
• Dedication to credit union values
• Leadership skills
• Demonstrated commitment to ensuring diversity and inclusion in professional settings, e.g. qualifications, experience, geography, demographics, etc.