Rick Brandsma, president/CEO of the $1 billion Sound Credit Union in Tacoma, Wash., received the Lifetime Achievement Summit Award from the Northwest Credit Union Association.

Brandsma and other credit union professionals were recognized for their achievements and contributions at NWCUA's Summit Awards Gala held in Portland, Ore., last week.

During his tenure, Brandsma oversaw 14 successful mergers helping Sound CU grow to $1 billion in assets with 230 employees and a 21 branch network. When he joined Sound CU as its president/CEO in 1981, then called Tacoma Telco Federal Credit Union, the cooperative had one branch, 26 employees and $18.9 million in assets.

Rick Hein, president/CEO of the$818 million O.S.U. Federal Credit Union in Corvallis, Ore., received NWCUA's Summit Award for Innovation and Impact.

Hein is a nationally recognized advocate who created an innovative program that matched staff political fund contributions with a donation to Credit Unions for Kids, the NWCUA said. He also leads mentoring programs for 140 young adults. Hein also enables his staff to reach thousands of students and adults annually through financial education outreach.

Jill Nowacki, vice president of development at the of the $470 million Marion and Polk Schools Credit Union in Salem, Ore., received NWCUA's Summit Award for Young Credit Union Professional of the Year. She was recognized for outstanding advocacy, marketing, strategic communications and community outreach.

Winning the Washington Professional Advocate of the Year was Larry Hoff, president/CEO of the $749 million Fibre Federal Credit Union in Longview, Wash. Winning Oregon's Professional Advocate of the Year was Brooke Van Vleet, president/CEO of the $171 million St. Helens Community Credit Union in St. Helens, Ore.

 

 

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Peter Strozniak

Credit Union Times reporter covering credit union operations, fraud, M&As, leagues, business continuity, and breaking news.