MCUL Announces 2024 MCUL and MCUF Award Winners

The Michigan Credit Union League (MCUL) has announced the winners of the 2024 MCUL Awards and the Michigan Credit Union Foundation (MCUF) Awards.

Together, the MCUL and MCUF Awards recognize credit unions, professionals and volunteers for outstanding efforts in individual and organizational leadership, operational effectiveness, community service and financial education.

The selected categories are designed to highlight credit unions across the asset-size spectrum and professionals at various levels of their career journey.

“We received many inspiring nominations this year for the MCUL Awards, and I want to thank the MCUL Awards Committee for their difficult task in selecting ten winners who represent some of the incredible work our movement did as a whole in 2023,” said MCUL President/CEO Patty Corkery. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients; I can’t wait to celebrate with you all at the 2024 Annual Convention & Exposition in June!”

The following winners are continually seeking out new ideas and innovations that make Michigan a better place for all.

MCUL Award Winners

Distinguished Service Award: This award celebrates a lifetime of achievement for those demonstrating exceptional dedication to the credit union industry over the course of their careers.

• Dave Adams, CUSG
• John Buckley, Gerber Federal Credit Union (Gerber)

Board Member of the Year: This award recognizes a board member who has demonstrated outstanding service over the last 12 months. This year, the awards committee selected two recipients.

• Greg Deppong, MSU Federal Credit Union (East Lansing)

Outstanding Credit Unions of the Year: This award recognizes a credit union for outstanding contributions with member services and community engagement.

• Large-Asset-Size Winner: Michigan Schools & Government Credit Union (Clinton Township)
• Medium-Asset-Size Winner: FreeStar Financial Credit Union (Clinton Township)
• Small-Asset-Size Winner: One Detroit Credit Union (Detroit)

Professional of the Year: This award celebrates an individual whose leadership and accomplishments have bettered their individual credit union, district/chapter and relationships within the statewide movement.

• Ben Maxim, MSU Federal Credit Union (East Lansing)

Young Professional of the Year: This award recognizes an up-and-coming professional with proven dedication and enthusiasm for the industry and their community.

• Kate Hall, Monroe Community Credit Union (Monroe)

Team Member of the Year: This award recognizes a credit union staff member who has excelled in their position over the last 12 months.

• Jennifer Frayre, Community First Federal Credit Union (Lakeview)

Innovation Award: This award recognizes credit unions for innovative thinking and community involvement.

• Frankenmuth Credit Union (Frankenmuth)

MCUF Award Winners

Financial Well-Being Champion: The Financial Well-Being Champion Award recognizes an individual for outstanding activities and impact in financial education and financial health initiatives for members and within the community.

• Lacey Cornell, Extra Credit Union (Warren)

Community Enrichment Award: The MCUF Community Enrichment Award recognizes a credit union or chapter for one outstanding community impact initiative aimed at improving the financial wellbeing for people, families, businesses or communities in Michigan.

• TRUE Community Credit Union (Jackson)

“We were thrilled to receive so many nominations this year,” said MCUF Executive Director Andrea Tucker. “And above all, see all the great work that our Michigan credit unions are doing for their members and in their communities. Kudos to you all! Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit an award nomination and many thanks for all the hard work and dedication so many credit unions and their employees put into the programs and initiatives they do.”

MCUL and MCUF award winners will be formally honored at MCUL’s 2024 Annual Convention & Exposition in Traverse City, this June.