BLOOMINGTON, MN (May 30, 2013) The Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) recently honored two prolific credit union advocates with the state’s most prestigious awards – Outstanding Credit Union Volunteer of the Year and Outstanding Credit Union Professional of the Year. This recognition is given to those who have demonstrated excellence, leadership and who embody the credit union mission. These awards were presented during a banquet held in conjunction with the MnCUN 2013 Annual Meeting & Convention earlier this month.
The Volunteer of the Year Award is given each year to a credit union volunteer who personifies the spirit and ambition of the credit union mission. Recipients are chosen based on their involvement with credit unions at local and state levels, along with participation in other activities that better their communities and help advance the credit union movement.
This year’s honoree is Verne Palmberg of West Financial Credit Union. Palmberg has served credit unions as a board member for a total of 22 years, with nine of those as Board Treasurer for the West Financial Board of Directors. Palmberg is an influential force for the credit union, leading the push for a successful merger and helping attract community members to a local grocery store credit union branch. He is a tireless volunteer who is actively engaged in promoting the benefits of becoming a credit union member.
“The contributions, when you look at his history, are just obvious. He has so much experience,” said fellow West Financial Board member Pat Middleton. “Verne is a giver. If there was a line to get, he’d be at the end of it. If there were a line to give, he’d be the first one there.”
The 2013 Outstanding Professional of the Year Award was given to a remarkable person who is the epitome of professional and who truly stands behind the “people helping people” philosophy. This award is given each year to a person who works to selflessly and wholeheartedly promote the credit union ideal, and this year’s honoree is Jeff Schwalen, Hiway Federal Credit Union.
Schwalen has served Hiway Federal Credit Union as President & CEO for a decade. During his time at the helm, the credit union has seen a steady rise in membership, assets that have grown by $350 million, and has developed a tradition of offering innovative products and services to its members. Schwalen has been instrumental in making sure the credit union continues to thrive.
He takes the prosperity and well-being of the credit union, his staff and the members very seriously. Schwalen is an active team player among the staff and Board of Directors, and he makes it a priority to listen to his employees – from senior management to front office staff.
“The whole credit union movement deserves somebody like him,” said Hiway Board member Merritt Linze. “I think he’s very inspiring, because the people around him are looking at him and he sets a tone that everybody follows.”
Schwalen is also heralded by his peers in the industry, nominated for this award by fellow credit union president and MnCUN Board Member Nick Meyer of Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union.
“Nothing is too small for Jeff to get involved in.” Meyer said. “If it helps the credit union movement, if it helps his members, his community, if it helps his employees, he’s willing to go whatever distance he needs to.”
The Professional and Volunteer of the Year Awards are coordinated by MnCUN’s Award Committee and judged by an unbiased, external committee.
“The Minnesota Credit Union Network is pleased to honor Verne and Jeff for the tremendous contributions they have made over the years to their credit unions and to the movement,” said Mark D. Cummins, MnCUN President & CEO. “Their dedication in promoting credit unions and inspiring others is commendable. The Network is grateful to have people like Verne and Jeff working for the credit union movement, and I congratulate them on receiving these distinguished awards.”
The Minnesota Credit Union Network is an organization representing the state’s 133 not-for-profit cooperative credit unions serving more than 1.5 million member-owners in Minnesota.
For more information, visit www.mncun.org.