AWARDS

Donna Thomas, business development officer at EECU, Fort Worth, Texas, has received the “Outstanding Member of the Month” award from the Northeast Tarrant County Chamber of Commerce. After awarding Thomas the “Outstanding Member of the Month” award, the President of the Northeast Tarrant County Chamber of Commerce told hundreds of luncheon attendees that Thomas was being recognized for the outstanding job she did in coordinating the silent auction for the chamber’s recent “Denim and Diamonds” event. This is one of the most prestigious awards given throughout the United States by local and regional YWCAs. The program is designed to honor women who exemplify excellence in their professions and the companies who employ these women. Thomas’s community involvement and fundraising efforts have exceeded expectations and truly inspired others. West Jordan’s Chamber recognized Mountain America Credit Union, West Jordan, Utah, as “2005 Business of the Year.” The CU was chosen for its community involvement. Last year, the CU helped build a playground in just a few short days and donated enough time and money to earn naming rights of the playground; naming it the “Mountain America Wild West Jordan Playground.” The West Jordan Chamber has been giving this award for 19 years. Heather Gallagher, a teller at MaPS Credit Union, Salem Ore., has recently been named the CU’s “Stellar Teller.” Gallagher is currently a teller at the Hines Street branch, but was the top teller among all of MaPS’ seven branches. Finding the right products and services for members’ needs is a task Gallagher is exceptional at doing. She even voluntarily calls members individually to advise them of product or service opportunities they might otherwise miss. Gallagher just started her career with MaPS five months ago. Brett Martinez, president/CEO of Redwood Credit Union, Santa Rosa, Calif., received the Cesar Chavez Image Award at the 17th Annual Community Awards Banquet. The Community Awards, which took place at the Santa Rosa Golf & Country Club, celebrate ethnic diversity and promote self-esteem and social responsibility among the Hispanic community in Sonoma County and throughout California. The Cesar Chavez Image Award is presented to the person who has done the most to provide a positive role model for the Hispanic community in Sonoma County. Martinez was selected to receive the award not only for his position as president/CEO of the largest CU in the North Bay, but as a respected leader in the North Bay community. Training Magazine has recognized Washington State Employees Credit Union, Olympia, Wash., as one of the top 100 companies for employee training and development. WSECU was listed number 53, with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory at 57 and Starbucks Coffee Company at 91. Each new employee of the credit union goes through extensive training that includes operational, security, member service, and other content-specific education. In addition, the company’s Training Department customizes courses to meet changing needs, develops creative solutions to provide training to decentralized branches across the state, offers an extensive lending library of business books and videos, and started a Readers’ Club for employees to meet in a group and discuss work-related books they’ve read. CFE Federal Credit Union, Orlando, Fla., has selected Pam Bucher and Matthew Heisey as Distinguished Managers for the fourth quarter of 2005. Bucher is the assistant vice president of lending department and has been with the CU since 1994. She has been instrumental in implementing the current indirect lending program and the recent conversion to open-end lending. Heisey is the assistant vice president of card services and has been with the CU since 1992. He is responsible for the administration of electronic card services Air Force Federal Credit Union, San Antonio, has named Karen Bush February’s employee of the month. Bush is a teller at the Wilford Hall Medical Center branch and has been employed with the CU since 2001. She was cited for her positive attitude, dedication and her eagerness to provide assistance to all members and nonmembers who enter the branch. Further, she has an enviable reputation for her superb conflict resolution skills whereby she adroitly mediates disputes and converts contentious situations into win-win situations. Workers’ Credit Union, Fitchburg, Mass., recognized Charles Antonelli, assistant vice president and Groton branch manager, for his outstanding performance and service by awarding him the CU’s “President’s Award.” The credit union gives the annual award to an employee who consistently delivers exceptional results in the area of member satisfaction and sales performance. A special ceremony was held at Gillette Stadium to acknowledge Antonelli and other employees for their superior performances. Cabrillo Credit Union, San Diego, received a 2006 Diamond Award of Merit from the Credit Union National Association Marketing and Business Development Council (CMBDC) at is Annual 2006 Marketing and Business Development Conference. Cabrillo received the award of merit for its annual report for assets of $100 million to $499 million. A departure from the printed booklet, this year’s annual report was in a DVD format that not only covered the CU’s annual financial information, but included a video history covering the CU’s 50 years of service.