Credit Union Times is pleased to announce the 2014 Trailblazer Award winners.

Competition was tough: many credit unions experienced rebound years in 2014, driven by auto lending, a stronger real estate market and technological innovations that improved service and efficiencies.

Join us in congratulating our winners, listed below. Click on the links to read each winner's story.

Trailblazer CEO of the Year: Joe Thomas, Jr., president/CEO of the $277 million Fairfax County Federal Credit Union, led his Virginia credit union to 50% loan growth in 2014 despite a headquarters fire that destroyed its computer room.

Trailblazer CFO of the Year: Jeff Merry, CFO of the $1.2 billion Volunteer Corporate Credit Union, has taken his corporate beyond Solvent Five status to become a merger surviving and financially thriving cooperative.

Trailblazer IT Executive of the Year: Nicole Bowen, vice president of information technology at Fairfax County FCU, got the credit union back online and on track after a fire destroyed the computer room.

Trailblazer Marketing Executive of the Year: Willard Ross, chief retail officer at the $2.2 billion Coastal Federal Credit Union, used video tellers to boost his credit union's profile while streamlining operations.

Trailblazer Lending Executive of the Year: Corey Miller, consumer loan manager at the $831 million Northwest Community Credit Union, grew consumer loans by almost 20% last year.

Trailblazer Volunteer of the Year: Roger Mark Hall, chairman of the $12 million Greater Abbeyville Federal Credit Union, has always been driven by service to others.

Trailblazer Outstanding Service to the Underserved: The $61 million Lower Valley Credit Union uses auto loans to provide opportunities for the underserved.

Trailblazer Outstanding Political Action: The $822 million Credit Union ONE fought ATM skimmers by spearheading new state legislation.