KANSAS CITY, Mo.–America’s Credit Unions’ Small Credit Union Conference is underway here, with more than 140 people in attendance representing CUs below $250-million in assets.
“The most powerful things happen when you’re together and you’re sharing,” the trade group’s new president and CEO, Scott Simpson, said in remarks to the meeting.
According to America’s Credit Unions, Simpson added that he’s made it a point over the past few weeks to meet with credit unions and leaders as much as possible to hear their goals, concerns, and more.
“The fact that I get to defend what you all do for a living, to work to preserve, protect, and enhance cooperative finance in America, is an absolute honor,” ACU quoted Simpson as saying. “One of the foundational freedoms of this country is economic freedom, and you all facilitate that every day.”
“One of the other things I’m focused on is, in spite of the fact that we brilliantly defended the credit union tax exemption this year…we’re here because the government says we’re here at the end of the day. All your financial institutions are here because the government permits its existence, and that could change tomorrow,” Simpson continued “This ongoing fight for existence…is one of the biggest advocacy challenges facing the system.”
Corkery Joins Board
Separately, America’s Credit Unions said Patty Corkery has joined its board as a league representative.
Corkery, president of the Michigan Credit Union League and Affiliates, fills a vacancy on the board and was selected through a vote by league presidents.
Her term on the trade group’s transition board will continue until February 2027, with an extended board term through February 2029, the association said.
“America’s Credit Unions is excited to welcome Patty Corkery to our board of directors. Patty joins the board with a proven track record of advancing the credit union mission,” Board Chairman Patrick Pierce said in a statement. “As the president/CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League, she is instrumental in amplifying the credit union difference in her community, among lawmakers, and within the industry writ-large. With leaders like Patty joining the board, we are strengthening our ability to champion credit unions and ensure they remain trusted financial partners for the 144 million Americans who rely on them every day.”
‘Honored to Join’
“I’m honored to join the board of directors at America’s Credit Unions and to help advance the mission that drives our movement forward,” Corkery said in a statement. “I thank my league president colleagues for their confidence in me to be a voice for state and regional leagues as well as bringing the perspective of Michigan’s credit union community to our national efforts to promote financial well-being for all.”
Corker also serves on the boards of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues; the Credit Union House; the Michigan Business Connection, a CUSO supporting small and medium-sized organizations; Lighthouse Michigan, a beacon of hope for families in need of food, shelter and other basic needs; and CUSG partners Marquis and CalcXML.
Corkery also helps lead the Michigan Sister Society for the Global Women’s Leadership Network.
