Simmons estimated that his credit union contributes nearly 6,000 personnel and volunteer hours each year toward financial education, credit unions and the community, including 60 hours a month he logs personally. Two full-time SCU employees, one in New Hampshire and one in Germany, focus solely on financial education and provided educational services to more than 14,000 adult members last year. Simmons himself champions SCU's main youth financial education event, the CU 4 Reality Fair.

In addition to time, SCU also donated more than $350,000 last year in New England and Germany. That amount included the third year of a $125,000 annual donation to assist flood victims from an unwelcome trend of annual devastating floods in New England.

In fact, the 62-year-old chief executive is probably on a first name basis with New Hampshire Governor John Lynch, as the two have met so many times in the past few years to shake hands and pose for photographers, with photos frequently featuring Simmons handing Lynch an oversized check with lots of zeros.

Simmons is also a familiar face among credit union circles, contributing to industry publications, actively supporting and representing the Defense Credit Union Council, NAFCU and CUNA, and actively chairing America's Credit Union Museum Foundation.

Johnson presented the award during her remarks to the 36th Annual DCUC Overseas Subcouncil Meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland, a group in which Simmons also serves as chairman.

"Whether it's by the development and leadership of the CU 4 Reality Fair, through his service as chairman of the board of America's CU Museum, which provides young consumers with financial education tools and resources to make better choices for the rest of their lives, to his tireless devotion to national financial education initiatives that foster better decisions on the part of military service members, Gordon sets a daily example for credit union leaders across the country," Johnson said, as she presented the award.

Credit Union Times spoke with Simmons a couple days later from SCU's overseas headquarters in Kaiserslautern, Germany. He will spend the next month making his twice-annual visit to the German headquarters, working from an office there and visiting all 15 German branches and a call center, which trades shifts with SCU's stateside call center to provide members with 24 hour service by live, in-house representatives.

CU Times: Congratulations on the award. What does the President's Volunteer Service Award mean to you and Service Credit Union?

Simmons: This award was unexpected, greatly appreciated and obviously very gratifying for me personally and for the entire staff of Service Credit union, who work tirelessly to provide sound financial acuity for our members. To be recognized at the highest level in our nation for providing financial education for our valued members serves to endorse our daily efforts in helping to create more financially astute citizens in our state and around the globe.

CU Times: Why is Service CU so devoted to serving members beyond providing typical products and services?

Simmons: Community commitment because we are more than just a financial institution. We feel that SCU is a responsible member of every community we serve, and as such, needs to contribute not just money, but time and other resources to make a better life for all.

A firm grip on one's own financial affairs serves to reduce the perceived need for unnecessary credit, helps build wealth for lower income members, and reduces loan delinquency and charge offs. It does not increase net income or improve our growth but is valuable in helping members to help themselves, making them even better credit union members.

CU Times: What are some of the special needs your field of membership requires, and how have you been able to meet those needs?

Simmons: In addition to our [financial education, volunteerism and relief efforts], I would add that our multi-faceted, worldwide memberships require somewhat different service approaches. Our technology products and 24/7 live person service affords all of our members access to their accounts and needed financial service when they require, be it in Portsmouth, N.H., any state in the United States, Germany or other foreign country around the world.

We currently serve members in all 50 states and over 100 countries. Our free online banking and dollar bill pay, as well as account opening and funding from another financial institution, make banking with Service a dynamic and seamless process.

We are also proud that we have expanded our online EURO bill pay service to all 31 European countries, bringing added convenience for our members who can establish one-time or recurring EURO bill payments from the comfort of home or on the road.

CU Times: Your NCUA reports indicate you're CU's strong and growing. How do you manage it all?

Simmons: Members. Yes, members make the difference. They recognize and respond to our products, service, convenience and low cost of doing business with Service Credit Union by not only making us their primary financial institution but telling their friends. That serves to increase membership, lending, deposits and the spread.

The cost of branching is quite expensive, as are the community contributions we make, but all are necessary components to our success now and into the future. I do not know if what we do is so different than what many other fine credit unions do, but I do know that our investment into technology has been repaid many times over and is one of the largest reasons for our success.

CU Times: How are you able to serve two very different groups of members simultaneously?

Simmons: People are the same, whether they're military around the globe or civilian down the street. We currently have more than 110,000 members, and they all seek financial service on which they can depend and which meets their needs at a reasonable cost. Add the convenience of doing business with us and you have a definite winning combination.

If a credit union gives its members what they want, when they want it and at a reasonable price, backed by sound, reliable technology, they will be on the road to success.

–[email protected]