Grzegorz Bierecki, president/CEO of the National Association of Cooperative Savings & Credit Unions, Poland's credit union trade association and a member of World Council of Credit Unions can add parliament member to his growing list of accomplishments.

Bierecki, who also serves as WOCCU first vice chair, was recently elected as a Law and Justice Party senator representing Biaa Podlaska, a town located in eastern Poland. It marks Bierecki's first election to public office.

"As a senator, I can initiate as well as participate in the legislative process," said Bierecki, who reportedly defeated his opponent by a 50% margin. "I can promote changes to the Cooperative Act and the Credit Union Act, as well as other important financial sector regulation."

The veteran executive will continue to serve in his capacities both with NACSCU and WOCCU.

According to Brian Branch, president/CEO of WOCCU, Bierecki’s election helps fill the void of credit union champion left following last year’s tragic death in an airplane crash of Polish President Lech Kaczynski, a long-time credit union advocate and former president of the Foundation for Polish Cooperative Savings and Credit Unions.

He added that Poland's credit unions have always effectively represented their member's interests, and Bierecki's election takes political involvement to a new level.

"The election was a huge victory for credit unions both in Poland and worldwide," said Branch, who recently led an engagement program of U.S. credit union league and association executives to NACSCU headquarters to study the Polish credit union system. "We are thrilled by the results of the election and happy that Poland's credit unions once again have a powerful champion in the government who will be working on their behalf."

The 2012 World Credit Union Conference has been slated for July 15-18 in Gdansk, Poland.