In addition to the usual new hires and promotions, several credit union executives and leaders were honored with awards.

EAST

The $303 million Maine Savings Credit Union in Hampden promoted Vanessa Mardore to vice president of risk management. She began her career at the cooperative in 2004 as a teller and also worked as an operations support specialist and compliance manager.

Richard Vega, board member and current chair of the $163 million Greater Alliance Federal Credit Union in Paramus, N.J., was inducted into the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders in Wash. D.C. Vega joined the board 41  years ago and was elected its chair in 1994. In addition overseeing the credit union's direction, progression, and service to members, Vega was involved in many of the cooperative's community projects.

Ashton Levis joined the $814 million St. Mary's Bank in Manchester, N.H. as a consumer loan officer. Levis previously worked at the Exeter Finance Corporation also based in Manchester.

Mary LaFerriere, a financial advisor for the $179 million First Financial Federal Credit Union in Wall Township, New Jersey received both the 2014 and 2015 Women of Distinction awards in recognition of her superior performance, value and overall contributions to the financial services industry. The award was presented by CUNA Brokerage Services Inc.

Gary E. Furtado, president/CEO of the $1.5 billion Navigant Credit Union Smithfield, R.I., was named the 2015 recipient of the Ben G. Mondor Award from the Pawtucket Red Sox and the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce.  The award recognizes a Rhode Island business leader who shows significant achievements in community involvement and service.  Under Furtado's leadership, the cooperative sponsored “Kids in the Canyon,” a program that sends local students to the Grand Canyon,  hosted financial literacy and money management classes at local high schools across the state, and held toy and food drives during the holiday season.

MIDWEST

Kim Sponem, president/CEO of the $2 billion Summit Credit Union in Madison, Wis., was appointed to a three-year term on an advisory council that reports to the Chicago Federal Reserve System. The Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council offers input and promotes communications between the Chicago Fed and representatives from community depository institutions, including credit unions, thrifts and banks based in Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and most of Illinois.

SOUTH

Dennis Holthaus, senior vice president and chief financial officer for the $1 billion Achieva Credit Union in Tampa, Fla, won the 2015 CFO of the Year award in the large nonprofit category from the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Holhaus, a veteran of the financial services industry, was selected as the top CFO for his deep knowledge of the industry, his willingness to embrace change and to make tough decisions during the most recent economic crisis. Working in the financial services arena since 1972, Holthaus joined Achieva CU in 2009.

WEST

Rachel Langtry joined the $515 million Greater Nevada Credit Union as its vice president of people. Prior to joining the Carson City, Nev.-based cooperative, she was the senior vice president of administration and communications at the $923 million Credit Union 1 in Anchorage, Alaska.

The $370 million Global Credit Union in Spokane, Wash., presented Angela Futrell, a member services representative, with the La Liberte Community Excellence Award, which recognizes an employee whose exemplary service to the community makes a significant impact. Futrell donated more than 225 hours throughout 2014 that supported a diverse range of several causes and groups. She joined Global CU in 2012 and works at the cooperative's Camp Darby branch in Tirrenia, Italy.

Michael Hale was the 2015 recipient of the African-American Credit Union Coalition's Pete Crear Lifetime Achievement Award. Working in the credit union movement since 1975, Hale was recognized for his hard work and dedication that advanced the interests of numerous credit unions, AACUC and other credit union organizations. He currently serves as the executive vice president and chief strategy officer for the $1.2 billion Arizona Federal Credit Union in Phoenix. He also previously worked as president/CEO of the $1 billion Andrews Federal Credit Union in Suitland, Md., for more than 12 years.

VENDORS

PolicyWorks in Des Moines, Iowa named Cindy Williams as vice president of regulatory compliance and Mike Tanner as director of card compliance. With more than 20 years of experience in the compliance field, Williams served as vice president, compliance officer at Bankers Trust before becoming Community State Banks's senior vice president, compliance and internal controls. Tanner previously served as vice president, compliance manager for Fifth-Third Bank. He also holds extensive regulatory compliance experience with banks such as Charter One and Banco Popular.