Brenneman Named 2013 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec

Amanda Brenneman, Business Development Officer with $460M Maps Credit Union in Salem, Ore., was named the 2013 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec this morning in San Diego.

Watch the announcement

Brenneman’s credit union project about her credit union’s Buy Local program was chosen from a group of international applicants who had been selected by a team of judges as Finalists in September. As one of five Finalists, Brenneman’s blog and video updates over the past few months provided the industry with an insight into the project’s progress, and culminated with a final presentation Monday at CUES’ CEO/Executive Team Network™.  Brenneman emerged the winner after a four-part scoring process that included judging panel results, a measurement of their social media engagement, plus audience and online voting.

Brenneman’s advocacy for this project embodies her credit union’s philosophy of people helping people. The project is currently testing successfully in the Salem area, with plans to expand nationally. In her presentation, Brenneman provided suggestions for how credit unions of any size could implement similar programs of their own.

Chuck Fagan, president/CEO of CUES, said, “Attendees at our CEO/Executive Team Network meeting are thrilled that Amanda Brenneman and the rest of the Finalists give hope that the future of the credit union movement is in the capable hands of those who will the carry the torch after us.”

Amanda Brenneman with CUES CEO, Chuck Fagan and CUES Board Chair, Bob Ramirez

The other four Finalists are Rob Carabelli of $325M McGraw-Hill Federal Credit Union, in East Windsor, N.J.; Chad Huseby of $12B Servus Credit Union in Delburne, Alberta, Canada; Zac King of $3.4B Redstone Federal Credit Union, in Huntsville, Ala.; and Bryce Roth of $382M CitizensFirst Credit Union in Oshkosh, Wisc.

Brenneman wins a $20,000 educational prize package that includes registration, accommodation and economy airfare to any two CUES’ CEO Institutes—one in 2014 and one in 2015—and two remote coaching session from CUES Supplier member and partner DDJ Myers Ltd. of Phoenix, Ariz., challenge sponsor. Watch for further project updates on Brenneman’s project at www.NextTopCreditUnionExec.com.

The CUES Team