DENVER — John Dill is originally from Oklahoma, the home of the former U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg Perle Mesta, who was dubbed "the hostess with the mostest."

Those shared Sooner roots and hospitality skills came in handy last week for Dill, the president of the Credit Union Association of Colorado and Wyoming. He maintained a full schedule entertaining visitors and networking, playing the role of emissary of credit unions.

"It was a good chance to show off this city as a world class place and to make the case for credit unions," he said in an interview in his association's new headquarters near the State Capitol here; the new digs were dedicated the week before the convention. "We're a place that reaches high and performs well," he said.