CUES Salutes Six to Open CEO/Executive Team Network™
Rissel, Schipull, Dames, Hawkins, Foster and Lourie honored

By Felicia Hudson

November 2, 2009

CUES named William J. "Bill" Rissel, president/CEO of $822 million Fort Knox Federal Credit Union, Radcliff, Ky., the 2009 CUES Outstanding Executive and Steven L. Schipull, CCE, chief financial officer of $404 million Generations Federal Credit Union, San Antonio, as 2009 CUES Future Leader last night during CUES' CEO/Executive Team Network.  

The 2009 CUES Outstanding Executive William J. "Bill" Rissel (center), president/CEO of $822 million Fort Knox Federal Credit Union, Radcliff, Ky., received his award from the 2009 honoree Gordon Dames, SVP/national accounts for Southwest Business Corp., San Antonio, and CUES Chairman Carla L. Altepeter, CCE, who is also CEO of $340 million CitizensFirst Credit Union, Oshkosh, Wis.

CUES Future Leader Steven L. Schipull, CCE, chief financial officer of $404 million Generations Federal Credit Union, San Antonio, accepts his award from Altepeter.

Gordon Dames, SVP/national accounts for Southwest Business Corp., San Antonio, is inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame and congratulated by Altepeter.

Mark Hawkins, CEO of Altura Credit Union, Riverside, Calif., is inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame and congratulated by Altepeter.

Vanessa Foster (left), marketing manager, and Kristen Lourie (right), graphic designer, for Sunova Credit Union, Selkirk, Manitoba, were recognized for their Best of Show win in the 2009 CUES Golden Mirror Awards.

In addition, Gordon Dames, SVP/national accounts for Southwest Business Corp., San Antonio, and Mark Hawkins, CEO of Altura Credit Union, Riverside, Calif., were inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame, and Vanessa Foster, marketing manager, and Kristen Lourie, graphic designer, for Sunova Credit Union, Selkirk, Manitoba, were recognized for their Best of Show win in the 2009 CUES Golden Mirror Awards.

In accepting his award Rissel said, "I share this award with the members of our board of directors and the staff at Fort Knox Federal; representatives of both groups are here tonight. I have nine board members and six were able to make it. They took a chance on me back in 1991 and I always have been proud to be part of their team." Rissel also thanked his family, including his son who works for a credit union, his daughter and his wife, Rosie. "You don't do anything without a great family," he said. Concluding, he saluted John Wallace, who "got me into CUES in 1981. I've always gotten a lot more out of than I've put in."

Under Rissel's leadership, Fort Knox FCU's assets have increased from $117 million to more than $820 million, making Fort Knox FCU the second largest credit union in Kentucky and among the top three percent in the nation.  He has received numerous awards in the past, including the 2004 Annual Gold Award, which is the highest honor given by the Radcliff/Hardin County Chamber of Commerce. Rissel served on the CUES Board of Directors from 1995 to 2000 and was chairman in 1999-2000.

CUES Outstanding Executives are chosen based on their credit union achievements, innovation and recognition, as well as their volunteer service and a continued commitment to education.

CUES Future Leader Schipull has been with Generations FCU since 1999 and a CUES member since 2002. He worked with his board and senior management team to implement a CU name change from San Antonio City Employees Credit Union to Generations FCU in 2008. He and his colleagues also developed the Millennium Marathon to educate members about credit union operations and home banking. In addition, Schipull championed a long list of innovations and advances at the credit union, including improving the operational efficiency and security of Generations FCU through the application of biometrics.  

After receiving an engraved crystal award, presented by CUES Chairman Carla L. Altepeter, CCE,  Schipull said, "I want to take this opportunity to thank CUES and Fred for the wonderful education; the experiences I had in the CEO Institute program were phenomenal." He also thanked his CEO, Tim Haegelin, who helped "my career blossom and grow," and his wife and two children who were present for the awards ceremony.

CUES Future Leader recognizes non-CEO credit union executives for superior dedication to their credit union, the movement and continuing education. Nominees are evaluated on their accomplishments within the credit union and the movement as a whole; contributions made to CUES and its councils; level of professional development and education; a letter of recommendation from their CEO; and community contributions. Additionally, the judges review the details of a single problem-solving plan which was developed, led and put into action by the nominee.

Altepeter, CEO of $340 million CitizensFirst Credit Union, Oshkosh, Wis., also presented CUES Hall of Fame trophies.

Dames, a prominent member of the industry for more than two decades, said, "I had a fantastic career and CUES was with me the entire time except when I was with NCUA (while working as an examiner). My job is to help my employees be the best they can be and CUES has been there to help them, too. I haven't left CUs; I'm on a mission now to develop CUs' capability to reduce their losses and get into business lending. So don't be surprised if you get a call from me," he joked.

As the former president/CEO of Mountain America Credit Union, West Jordan, Utah, Dames turned a struggling organization into a thriving credit union with nearly $2.5 billion in assets before retiring in 2008. Dames was a CUES member from 1983-2008.

Fellow inductee Hawkins grew Altura CU by nearly $870 million in assets since taking over in 1988, the year he also joined CUES. In 2004, he led the credit union through a merger, and a successful name change from Riverside Schools Credit Union. Hawkins also received the Roy F. Bergengren award in 2008.

The current CUES director and immediate past chairman said, "I had two tremendous experiences in my life: First I was born to Ben and Jean Hawkins; second, I married Dawn." Referencing Riverside's economy, Hawkins said, "We're seeing some gray at the end of the tunnel; we've made money five months in a row." He praised his board's involvement in the turnaround and recognized their support of his service on the CUES Board. "CUES does so many great things from the education perspective¿CUES Symposium, the institutes, events like this. This really is about CUES. Thank you every bit for what you do; this is a great honor and I really appreciate it."

CUES Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to CUES and the credit union movement.

GMA Best of Show is presented to the top coordinated campaign in the competition. Sunova CU received first place in the category for CUs with assets of $351-$700 million for its internally-produced branding campaign.

Felicia Hudson is marketing specialist at CUES.