WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of its Governmental Affairs Conference here, America’s Credit Unions has elected Karen Harbin, president/CEO of Commonwealth Credit Union in Kentucky, as its new chair. Harbin will serve a one-year term.
“America’s Credit Unions is committed to advancing our movement and protecting the cooperative finance model with a strong, unified voice,” America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Scott Simpson said in a statement. “I thank Patrick Pierce for his leadership and counsel as chair to strengthen our system-wide cooperation and alignment over the past year. I am confident that Karen will build upon these efforts as we look to provide even more value to our credit union members, represent them in high-stakes policy discussions, and protect the model of cooperative finance.”
Job Number One
“I want to thank my fellow board members and our credit union members for this opportunity to shape the strategy of our national association,” Harbin said in a statement. “I firmly believe that advocacy is job number one for America’s Credit Unions, and I will work diligently to ensure the voice of our diverse membership is reflected in our unified efforts. Together with leagues and our credit union members, we can deliver meaningful policy victories that empower us to live out our credit union mission for generations to come.”
Executive Committee
Members of the ACU Executive Committee include:
- Chair: Karen Harbin, president/CEO of Commonwealth Credit Union
- Vice Chair: Jim Morrell, president/CEO of Peninsula Community Federal Credit Union
- Treasurer: Keith Sultemeier, president/CEO of Kinecta Federal Credit Union
- Secretary: Amy Sink, CEO of Interra Credit Union
Patrick Pierce, CEO of City & County Credit Union, will participate as immediate past chair and invited guest.
Other Board Members
Other members of the board include:
- Patty Corkery, president/CEO of Michigan Credit Union League
- Lisa Ginter, CEO of CommunityAmerica Credit Union
- Gary Grinnell, president/CEO of Corning Federal Credit Union
- Lori Herrick, president/CEO of Manchester Municipal Federal Credit Union
- Melanie Kennedy, president of Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union
- Nader Moghaddam, president/CEO of Financial Partners Credit Union
- Lonnie Nicholson, president/CEO of Educational Employees Credit Union
- Fred Robinson, president/CEO of Tennessee and Mississippi Credit Union Association
- Brian Schools, president/CEO of Chartway Federal Credit Union
Mellin Recognized with Leadership Award
Separately, William J. Mellin, president and CEO of the New York Credit Union Association (NYCUA), was recognized with the 2026 Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award by the American Association of Credit Union Leagues(AACUL).
“This prestigious award honors a league president who has demonstrated visionary leadership at both the state and national levels, delivered superior organizational and financial performance, strengthened services for credit unions, fostered cooperation within the system, and exemplified integrity and commitment to purpose,” the AACUL said.
From left, William Mellin and Brad Miller.
AACUL noted Mellin began his tenure with the New York Credit Union Association 32 years ago and has served as president and CEO since 2000. In this role, he provides oversight of the Association and its affiliated entities, including OwnersChoice Funding, UsNet Shared Branching, and the New York Credit Union Foundation.
“On behalf of the New York Credit Union Association Board of Directors, I am proud to congratulate Bill Mellin on this well-deserved recognition. This honor reflects the visionary leadership, collaborative spirit, and unwavering integrity that he brings to our organization and the broader credit union movement each day,” said Eric Hepkins, Association Board Chair and CEO of Cornerstone Community FCU. “His commitment to cooperation, service, and purpose has elevated not only our association, but also the collective impact of the credit union system at both the state and national levels. Bill leads with authenticity, inspires with action, and represents the very values this award was created to recognize. We are proud of his accomplishments, grateful for his leadership, and thrilled to see him honored in this way.”
Meaningful Partnerships
“Bill has cultivated meaningful partnerships with league leaders across the country, particularly among neighboring states,” said Chairman of AACUL and President/CEO of MD|DC Credit Union Association John Bratsakis in a statement. “His commitment to collaboration builds a broad and resilient network of support that strengthens not only New York credit unions, but the entire system.”
“Bill embodies the spirit of the Farley Award,” AACUL President Brad Miller said in a statement. “He comes to work every day believing he can make a positive difference in people’s lives. He reminds credit unions that this is more than a job — it is a mission rooted in purpose and service. His steady leadership, commitment to cooperation, and unwavering dedication to the ‘people helping people’ philosophy have strengthened both New York and the broader League System.”
National Leadership
Throughout his career, AACUL said Mellin has demonstrated significant national leadership, serving on the boards of League InfoSight Corporation, Credit Union House, the former Credit Union National Association (CUNA), and Credit Union Service Corporation. He previously served as chairman of AACUL and continues to champion collaboration among leagues and system partners nationwide, the organization said.
From left, William J. Mellin and Brad Miller
Iowa League’s Justin Hupfer is Honored
Separately, Justin Hupfer, SVP-government ffairs for the Iowa Credit Union League (ICUL) and CEO of PolicyWorks, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ICUL, was recognized with the 2026 Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award by the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL).
“This prestigious award honors a credit union league/association professional who has demonstrated visionary leadership at the state and national levels,” the AACUL said. “This includes delivering superior results organizationally and financially, developing services and programs for credit unions, fostering cooperation within the credit union system, and exhibiting personal integrity, purpose and service to others.”
According to the AACUL, Hupfer has dedicated more than 25 years to advancing Iowa credit unions and strengthening the national credit union movement. In his dual role leading ICUL advocacy and serving as CEO of PolicyWorks, a wholly owned ICUL subsidiary he helped found more than 20 years ago, “Justin has built a nationally recognized advocacy and public affairs model,” AACUL said.
‘Strategic Vision’
“Justin has shaped and executed advocacy strategies that have fundamentally strengthened the credit union movement in Iowa,” Iowa Credit Union League President/CEO Murray Williams said in a statement. “He combines strategic vision with disciplined execution, building sustainable advocacy infrastructure while earning trust at every level of government. His integrity and commitment to service make this recognition exceptionally well-deserved.”
The AACUL said that under Hupfer’s leadership, Iowa credit unions have secured significant legislative victories in one of the country’s most challenging advocacy environments.
“He led strategy during Iowa’s most contentious tax battle in recent history, helped maintain one of the state’s top-performing PACs, and advanced efforts to modernize decades-old credit union statutes,” AACUL said. “His long-term vision has strengthened ICUL’s advocacy infrastructure and elevated the credit union voice at the statehouse and in Washington, D.C.”
‘Meaningful Results’
“Justin exemplifies the leadership this award was created to recognize,” AACUL President Brad Miller said in a statement. “His ability to deliver meaningful results, foster cooperation, and strengthen advocacy at both the state and national levels reflect the very best of the League System.”
“Nationally, Hupfer is a respected collaborator, regularly sharing advocacy strategies and best practices with peer leagues, AACUL, and America’s Credit Unions,” AACUL Chairman and MD|DC Credit Union Association President/CEO John Bratsakis said in a statement. “His longstanding relationships with Iowa’s congressional delegation have supported coordinated national efforts to advance financial wellbeing and preserve credit unions’ tax status.”
