CUES rocking the 2011 Next Top Credit Union Exec

About two years ago now, Christopher Stevenson from the Credit Union Executives Society (CUES) approached me with an idea, "What do you think about partnering on something like Young & Free for the credit union industry?" I immediately thought that marrying an Apprentice meets Idol competition with the premier credit union professional development organization made perfect sense. From that conversation was born the Next Top Credit Union Exec challenge.

In 2010, 41 bright minds entered the competition, six were short-listed and Tina Hall from Verity Credit Union in Seattle, Washington emerged as the winner. In a truly cooperative moment, Tina handed over half of her $20,000 educational package to runner-up Ronaldo Hardy from La Capitol Federal Credit Union in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. There wasn't a dry eye in the house at the CEO/Executive Team Network in Dallas last November!

When I think back to that conversation with Christopher, I had no idea how transformational this competition would end up being. Both Tina and Ronaldo feel that being a part of the 2010 Next Top Credit Union Exec has transformed their careers. I am very proud of this program and it's wonderful to see that it has inspired many other industry organizations to look closely at the next generation of credit union leaders. It's about time!

If you are 35 or under, employed by a credit union and reading this, I encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and enter this competition. You will not regret it. As an added bonus this year, CUES is giving everyone who enters a free one-year NextGen membership. 

We've freshened up the website for year two. 

And put together a brief launch video.

We are extremely proud of our association with CUES and the Next Top Credit Union Exec challenge. I urge you to get involved—you won't regret it. 

Now get to work on your video entry! Entries are due by June 7.

Tim

We are helping CUES look for the credit union industry's best and brightest!

We are partnering with the Credit Union Executives Society to launch “Next Top Credit Union Exec,” a program for the industry’s emerging leaders modeled after our popular Young & Free program.

The Next Top Credit Union Exec contest searches for emerging leaders from within the credit union industry. Credit union employees 35 and under (or those new to the financial services industry) apply by creating a 60-second video about themselves and a project they are working on, a project they are planning, or an idea they have for their credit union. All videos will be on display at www.NextTopCreditUnionExec.com.

“Young & Free has found a recipe for success in searching for young credit union members, and we are excited to use the same format to seek out creative and smart young professionals from within the credit union industry,” said Dale Schumacher, chairman, CUES’ board of directors and president/CEO, Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union, Tampa, Fla.

Interested participants can apply by June 1, 2010, at www.NextTopCreditUnionExec.com. Applicants will be organized according to six geographical regions. The industry and online public will vote for their favorite applicant in each region from June 4–14, 2010. The applicant in each region who receives the most votes will become a Regional Finalist for the Next Top Credit Union Exec and will receive a reward package valued at $5,000.

The six Regional Finalists will present on the progress of their project, program or idea, at CUES’ CEO/Executive Team Network in Dallas, November 7–10, 2010. The finalist who scores the highest via a combination of a judging panel, audience and online votes will receive the title Next Top Credit Union Exec and an educational package valued at $20,000.

“We can’t wait to watch how this unfolds. There are so many talented young professionals within our industry, and our hope is that we reveal the breadth of our emerging leaders through this contest,” added Schumacher. ”Plus, we feel the prize package is one that can take our young professionals to the next level of leadership within their organizations.”

In addition, CUES is launching a new membership, CUES NextGen, designed specifically for members 35 and under. Learn more about the CUES NextGen membership and the Next Top Credit Union Exec contest.

This program has been lots of fun to work on and we are really looking forward to seeing how it plays out. I'm sure you know someone at your credit union who would make an excellent candidate!

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Guest post on the CUES Skybox: Next-gen leader beat-down?

I am a guest blogger today on the CUES Skybox. My post:

"Are you Beating Down Your Next-Gen Leaders?"

Thanks again to Christopher Stevenson from CUES for the invite!

Tim