AURORA, Colo.–After reporting it received a record-breaking number of nominations and a competitive review, the GoWest Credit Union Association has named the winners of its 2026 GoWest Awards.
Presented annually at the GoWest Awards Dinner and Gala during MAXX, the association said the awards span nine categories — five to spotlight credit unions and four that honor individuals who have made “significant contributions to the development and growth of the movement.”
“Every day, credit unions are finding new ways to serve their members, strengthen their communities and make a real difference in people’s lives,” GoWest President and CEO Troy Stang said in a statement. “The MAXX Awards give us a chance to shine a light on that work and on the people who make it happen. These are the stories worth celebrating, and remind us how impactful the cooperative movement is.”
The Winners
The winners of the 2026 GoWest Awards are:
Community Impact
“This category honors a credit union that has embraced social responsibility through lending programs, charitable giving, multicultural services, or other initiatives that improve financial well-being in the communities they serve,” Go West said.
Winner: WECU, for the “Flood Relief Assistance Program,” established when a devastating flood impacted 78,000 residents of Whatcom County.
“The credit union deferred loan payments and helped members explore mortgage forbearance and other options and granted low-interest rate loans to impacted local businesses” GoWest said. “WECU employees were given paid time off to volunteer to clean up flood damaged homes.”
Cooperation in Action
GoWest said this category celebrates two or more credit unions, credit union communities, or professionals from separate credit unions collaborating to create a bigger impact.
Winner: Tucson Welcome Home, for a collaboration by five Tucson, Ariz., credit unions and the GoWest Foundation to address housing affordability.
“The program offers 100% financing, no private mortgage insurance, no origination or application fees, and competitive fixed rate interest rates. Already, 76 loans have been approved and hundreds of others are being processed,” GoWest reported.
Participating credit unions include Hughes Federal Credit Union, Pima Federal Credit Union, Pyramid Federal Credit Union, Tucson Federal Credit Union, and Vantage West Credit Union.
Employee Experience
This award recognizes credit unions for intentionally building a thriving workplace culture by investing in employee growth, fostering engagement, and providing the tools for success, according to GoWest.
Winner: On Tap Credit Union, for the “Policies and Brew-cedures” program.
“On Tap is building a thriving workplace culture grounded in its “KEG” of excellence: being Kind, Engaged and Genuine,” GoWest said. “By listening to employees and empowering them to address inconsistent processes and information gaps, the credit union transformed staff feedback into a sustainable, searchable resource of more than 650 policies and procedures.”
The result: 94% employee engagement with the resource and a process net promoter score increase of more than 10 points, demonstrating how investing in the employee experience can translate into better member service, the association reported.
Member Impact
“This award celebrates a credit union that has demonstrated exceptional, measurable member impact through intentional actions, programs, or strategies that produce tangible benefits for members,” GoWest said.
Winner: Verity Credit Union, for hosting Community Cares events in November 2025 to help members and nonmembers navigate the financial impact of a government shutdown and reductions in federal benefits. According to GoWest, 200 families participated, and attendees received $250 gift cards, financial check-ins, and connections to other helpful community resources.
Storytelling With Purpose
“This new honor to the 2026 awards program celebrates a credit union, or collaboration of credit unions, for demonstrating leadership in storytelling and media engagement that raises awareness about the credit union difference and highlights the distinct value of our cooperative model,” GoWest stated.
WINNER: Tucson Federal Credit Union, for “Proudly Tucson.”
“The paid and earned media content focused less on loan rates or other products, and more on the credit union’s 90 years of commitment to and impact in the community,” GoWest said. “Paid media during the Super Bowl generated more than 1.2 million impressions. Local media extensively covered Tucson Federal’s community giving, and leadership was often featured in national news stories this year.”
Distinguished Director of the Year
Winner: LC Williams, Space Age Credit Union
GoWest said the award honors an individual who has displayed outstanding achievements and accomplishments as a credit union board member, adding that credit union board members are vital mentors and leaders in the credit uUnion movement; they bring an abundance of wisdom and influence and embody the people helping people spirit that makes credit unions so different.
“LC Williams puts members at the center of every decision, ensuring his credit union delivers products and services that meet their needs and inspire engagement,” GoWest stated. “A dedicated advocate and community leader, LC serves as a Deacon in his church community and proudly served in the Air Force for 25 years. He regularly represents credit unions at the state and national levels, where elected officials trust him.
“With all of those accomplishments, though, people close to him will say his greatest legacy is as a husband, dad, and grandfather.”
Young Professional of the Year
Jon Maroni, Financial Engagement Manager, Numerica Credit Union
GoWest said the award celebrates a rising leader who demonstrates outstanding promise and commitment early in their career, and that the award is about the kind of leadership that elevates their team, advances shared goals, and strengthens the cooperative principles of credit unions.
“Jon Maroni brings a passion for financial education and community impact to everything he does. From teaching high school students to helping survivors of domestic violence open their first checking accounts, Jon brings the same level of care and purpose to every interaction with members and colleagues,” GoWest said. “He has transformed Numerica’s financial education program, with practical tools to budget, build credit, avoid fraud, pay for education and grow wealth. He’s volunteered more than 750 hours, taught 1,000 hours of financial education and helped members reduce nearly $850,000 in debt. He’s a frequent KXLY-TV spokesperson, helping share the credit union difference with broader audiences.”
Summit Advocate
Justin Martin, President & CEO, TAPCO Credit Union
The award ecognizes a leader who elevates the voice of credit unions in public policy and civil engagement and who understands that participation in the legislative and political process is essential for the long-term success of the Movement and the financial wellbeing of members, the association said.
“Justin Martin has spent more than 20 years championing the credit union movement, including attending nearly 70 in-person advocacy events since 2020. As a credit union leader and state GAC co-chair, he builds trusted relationships with legislators, advocates for the entire movement and helps his team engage in the policymaking process,” according to GoWest. “From helping defend credit unions against a state tax challenge to supporting community initiatives addressing homelessness and small business needs, Justin brings reason, relationships and a member-focused perspective to advocacy.
Summit Icon
Don Miller, President & CEO, Gesa Credit Union
This is GoWest’s highest individual honor, awarded for extraordinary leadership, dedication to advocacy, a proponent for community impact, and enduring commitment to the credit union mission.
“Known for his humility, people-first leadership and unwavering commitment to doing what’s right, Don Miller leads with a simple question: ‘How can we help you?’” GoWest said. “That philosophy empowers his team to show up for members and communities, from supporting families in crisis to building lasting partnerships that make a difference.
“Under his leadership, the credit union has grown from $100 million to nearly $7 billion in assets, expanding access to cooperative finance across three states and beyond. From advancing first-time homeownership and commercial lending to investing in student-run branches, scholarships and community partnerships, Don has built a legacy of impact that extends far beyond the credit union itself. A trusted advocate and steadfast leader, he exemplifies the very best of the credit union movement.
“He walks the walk. Because sometimes, the best way to explain how credit unions give back is to model it.”
