Member Benefits
2021 Credit Union Hero of the Year
Cheryl Deborde
Members Choice CU - Ashland, KY
Community first
Cheryl Deborde, president/CEO of Members Choice Credit Union in Ashland, Ky., has been named the 2021 Credit Union Hero of the Year, sponsored by Symitar. The award recognizes Deborde for her commitment to community service, financial education, and career mentoring programs.
Past Winners
2020: Margaret Delmonico - PSECU - Harrisburg, PA
2019: Harlene Johnson - Light Commerce Credit Union, Houston, TX
2018: Tom McWilliams - Mississippi Credit Union Association
2017: James Schenck - Pentagon Federal CU, Tysons, VA
2016: Steven Post - VSECU - Montpelier, VT
2015: Gail Lewis - 121 Financial CU, Jacksonville, FL
2014: Joni Senkpeil - Director of Small CU Development, Illinois CU League
2013: Warren Morrow - Founder & CEO, Coopera Consulting
2020: Margaret Delmonico - PSECU - Harrisburg, PA
2019: Harlene Johnson - Light Commerce Credit Union, Houston, TX
2018: Tom McWilliams - Mississippi Credit Union Association
2017: James Schenck - Pentagon Federal CU, Tysons, VA
2016: Steven Post - VSECU, Montpelier, VT
2015: Gail Lewis - 121 Financial CU, Jacksonville, FL
2014: Joni Senkpeil - Director of Small CU Development, Illinois CU League
2013: Warren Morrow - Founder & CEO, Coopera Consulting
2012: Ron Kase - Landmark CU, New Berlin, WI
2011: Maurice Smith - Local Government Federal CU, Raleigh, NC
2010: Vic Thate - FAA CU, Oklahoma City, OK
2009: Cathie Tierney - Community First CU, Appleton, WI
2008: Lynda Milton - Houston Teamsters FCU, Houston, TX
The 2021 Nominees
Cheryl Deborde
Members Choice CU - Ashland, KY
Community first
Nick Kessenich
Members First CU - Madison, WI
Working for the member
Bill Lawton
Community Financial CU - Plymouth, MI
Hometown hero
Val Mindak
Park City CU - Merrill, WI
Award-winning advocacy
Know someone who deserves the title of Credit Union Hero? Click here to nominate them.
Spring 2021
Credit Union Magazine’s Spring 2021 edition features CUNA's 2021 advocacy agenda, strategic planning guidance, and labor market insights.