ONTARIO, Calif.– California’s Credit Unions and Nevada’s Credit Unions have announced the recipients of this year’s Credit Union Awards, Advocacy Awards, and Network Awards.
Twenty-three industry leaders, volunteers, professionals, credit unions, and organizations — including Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Nader Moghaddam, the president and CEO of Financial Partners Credit Union) — will be honored at a special ceremony during REACH 2026 Noc. 2-5 in Palm Desert, Calif.
“For more than 50 years, these unique honors have culminated each autumn in a nationally recognized, peer-nominated awards program that spotlights some of the credit union movement’s most loyal, sacrificial, and brightest leaders who have dedicated their lives to credit unions and their members,” the organization said in a statement.
2026 Credit Union Awards
Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award
The highest recognition, honoring excellence in credit union philosophy and a lifetime of contributions to the credit union movement, the association noted it is named after Leo H. Shapiro, father of the California credit union movement and founder of California’s Credit Unions.
- Nader Moghaddam, president and CEO of Financial Partners Credit Union.
Distinguished Service Award
Honors credit union professionals’ ongoing and current contributions to the credit union community:
- Tony Boutelle, President and CEO of Origence.
- Dave Gunderson, President and CEO of Credit Union of Southern California.
Social Impact Award (individual)
Honors individuals who demonstrate an unyielding dedication to building stronger communities and improving members’ lives.
- Kathryn Davis, President and CEO of Valley First Credit Union.
- Dr. Rocio Flores, Chief Social Impact Officer of USC Credit Union.
Social Impact Award (organization)
Honors credit unions that demonstrate an unyielding dedication to building stronger communities and improving members’ lives.
- California Credit Union.
- Silver State Schools Credit Union.
- Redwood Credit Union.
J. Alvin George Outstanding Volunteer Award
Honors significant contributions by people who serve credit unions in volunteer capacities.
- Kenji Coleman, Board Director of Rize Credit Union.
Tomorrow’s Star Award
Honors the efforts of up-and-coming credit union leaders aged 35 and under, and encourages the development of future leaders.
- Argelia Cardenas, Director of Retail Branches for Patelco Credit Union.
- Alberto Diosdado, Director of Administration for Universal City Studios Credit Union.
2026 Advocacy Awards
- Advocacy Legacy: Marvel Ford, Chief Advocacy Officer of California Credit Union.
- Advocacy Legacy: Eric Day, Director of Credit Union Advocacy for Credit Union of Southern California.
- California PAC Advocate of the Year: Rob Greaff, President and CEO of Delta Schools Federal Credit Union.
- Nevada PAC Advocate of the Year: Scott Arkills, Retired President and CEO of Silver State Schools Credit Union.
- Shapiro Advocate of the Year: Jason Mertz-Prickett, President and CEO of Upward Credit Union.
- Nevada Advocate of the Year: Todd Sorenson, President and CEO of Elko Federal Credit Union.
- California Advocate of the Year: Stephen Owen, President and CEO for First Entertainment Credit Union.
- Political Professional of the Year: Erica Taylor, Senior Vice President of Community Impact and Public Relations Officer for Golden 1 Credit Union.
- Supplier of the Year: Origence.
2026 Bannan Eternal Flame Awards
Honors individuals, credit unions, and other organizations’ contributions to the success of Shapiro Group credit unions.
- Alen Torosyan, President and CEO of Parishioners Federal Credit Union (individual).
2026 Network Awards of Excellence
Honors excellence in volunteerism within League Networks.
- Argelia Cardenas of Mount Diablo Network (individual), Director of Retail Branches for Patelco Credit Union.
- Orange County Network (network).
‘Why Movement Continues to Thrive’
“Each year, these awards remind us why the credit union movement continues to thrive,” Jeremy Empol, president and CEO of California’s and Nevada’s Credit Unions, said in a statement. “From our Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Nader Moghaddam to every volunteer and advocate, these honorees embody the spirit of ‘people helping people’ that defines our industry. I want to congratulate and thank them for their extraordinary contributions — and for putting their members and communities first.”
