CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec Finalists Announced

The judges’ results are in! The five Finalists for the 2017 CUES® Next Top Credit Union Exec challenge are:

  • Geoff Bullock, Firefly Credit Union, Burnsville, Minnesota, United States
  • Derek Fuzzell, Northwest Federal Credit Union, Herndon, Virginia, United States
  • Josh Gelser, DuPont Community Credit Union, Waynesboro, Virginia, United States
  • Lindsey McMillen, Y-12 Federal Credit Union, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States
  • Jessica Vartanian, Red Rocks Credit Union, Littleton, Colorado, United States

A combination of public vote and a judging panel determined the Top 15 entrants. Since the results of that vote were announced in mid July, all 15 young professionals have been providing updates to their projects at www.nexttopcreditunionexec.com. These updates and entrants’ earlier video applications were evaluated by a judging team composed of Deedee Myers, CEO of DDJ Myers, Phoenix, and two credit union executives.

“The five Finalists were selected from a highly competitive group,” said John Pembroke, CUES’ president/CEO. “We had several strong entries this year. Our judges worked hard to ensure five quality young leaders from our Top 15 would move through to the Finals.”

“We thank all of our applicants for their hard work, and for the outstanding ideas that they bring to their credit unions and the credit union industry. Now, as we congratulate the Finalists, we also look forward to learning more fully about their projects’ progress between now and their final presentations at CEO/Executive Team Network in October,” said Pembroke.

In addition to two coaching sessions provided by challenge sponsor and CUES Supplier member DDJ Myers, the five Finalists each receive registration, accommodation and airfare to CUES’ CEO/Executive Team Network™ in Las Vegas, October 10-12, 2017. There, the Finalists will face off for the grand prize, a CUES educational package valued at $20,000, and the honor of being named 2017 CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec on October 12.

CUES (www.cues.org) is a Madison, Wisconsin-based, independent, not-for-profit, international membership association for credit union executives. CUES’ mission is to educate and develop credit union CEOs, directors and future leaders.

Currency (www.currencymarketing.ca) is a credit union-focused marketing firm. Our unique programs—It’s a Money Thing, Young & Free and Next Top Credit Union Exec—focus on helping credit unions raise awareness, build relationships and foster financial empowerment with young adults.

Based in Phoenix, Ariz., DDJ Myers (www.ddjmyers.com) offers executive recruitment, strategic organization, and customized leadership programs. 

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CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec challenge is for the industry’s emerging leaders and is powered by Currency and in partnership with DDJ Myers.

2017 Competition, UpdateCUES Next Top Credit Union Exec Team