Awards and Recognition
Hall of Fame Awards
The Tennessee Credit Union Hall of Fame was created in 2010 in collaboration with Volunteer Corporate Credit Union to recognize the commitment, leadership, and dedication of deserving individuals to the Tennessee credit union movement.
Tenure of service, contributions, achievements, and the impact the individual has made, not only at their respective credit union(s) but also in the industry, are among the considerations.
The Hall of Fame was created to honor those in the credit union movement who reflect a history of service to credit unions. Nominees are selected for their records of achievement within their own credit union and for achievements that have benefited many credit unions. These persons are inducted into the Hall of Fame because they have been key players in organizing and running credit unions. Beyond that, they contributed to other credit unions through service to the chapters, the Tennessee Credit Union League, Volunteer Corporate Credit Union, and, in some cases, America’s Credit Unions.
Eligibility
Tennessee Credit Union League-affiliated credit union employees and volunteers are eligible for this award.
This includes retired credit union professionals and volunteers who enjoyed distinguished careers in the movement.
Nomination Procedures
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees.
Inductees are chosen by a panel of judges who consider the following criteria when making their selections:
- Years of service to the credit union system;
- Positions of leadership on the state, local or national level;
- Demonstrated commitment to the credit union philosophy and services; and
- Credit union system educational accomplishments and support.
The Hall of Fame Inductees will be honored during the Awards Ceremony at the Tennessee Credit Union Annual Convention and Expo in Gatlinburg, TN.
NOMINATIONS ARE DUE August 17, 2026.
Tennessee Credit Union
Hall of Fame Winners
Dr. W. Craig Esrael, President/CEO, First South CU
Milton Ward, Board Chairman, Kimberly Clark CU
Sandy Lingerfelt, President/CEO, Clinchfield FCU
Hardie Phipps, President/CEO, Kennedy VA Employees CU
William “Bill” & Alice Jenkins, Rohm & Haas Employees CU
John D. McKittrick, Retired President/CEO, ORNL Federal CU
Paul C. Monk, Board Chairman, Clinchfield FCU
Thomas F. Gaines, III, President/CEO, Tennessee Credit Union League
Dickie Johnson, Chairman of the Board, Electric Service CU
W. Blake Strickland, President/CEO, Tennessee Valley FCU
Jimmie Bearden, Retired President/CEO, Ascend Federal CU
Sara S. Broxterman, REtired President/CEO, Kimberly Clark CU
R. Bruce Runyan, Board Member, Ascend Federal CU
Alwin James “Rusty” Girdner, Retired President/CEO, Tennessee Credit Union League
Janice Jones, President/CEO, United Southeast FCU
Jim Ward, Board Member, Ascend Federal CU
Tom Hilton, Retired CEO, Y-12 Federal CU
M. Wayne Hope, Retired CEO, Enrichment FCU
Robert H. (Bob) Burt, Past Director, Ascend Federal CU
Bonnette Dawson, President/CEO, Old Hickory CU
Kathy Campbell, CEO, Northeast Community CU
Grady Hicks, Director, Southern Credit Union
Marvin McBee, President/CEO, Heritage South Community CU
Nadine Freeman, CEO, EPB Employees CU
Randal Braker, Director, Ascend Federal CU
Denley Hines, CEO, Bowater ECU
David Watkins, Director, ORNL Federal CU
Patrick Eagan, Director, Ascend FCU
Janice Welch, Retired CEO, Kimberly Clark ECU
Paul Johnson, Retired President/CEO, US Community CU
Todd Swimms, President/CEO, Leaders CU
Wanda Roberts, President/CEO, Tennessee River FCU
Craig Peters, Retired President/CEO, Enrichment FCU
Kendall Foster, CEO, Scenic Community FCU
Caren Gabriel, CEO, Ascend FCU
William Jennings, Board Chairman, Old Hickory CU
Karla Knisley, Project Specialist, VolCorp
Teresa Arnold, Retired President/CEO, Northeast Community CU
Konda Bowling, President/CEO, Employee Resources CU
Randy Gorman, Board Chair, ORNL FCU
State Level Awards
Desjardins Financial Education Award Programs
CUNA created the Desjardins program to recognize leadership within the credit union movement on behalf of financial literacy for all ages. The recognition program considers all activities supporting the personal finance education of members and non-members, including, but not limited to, face-to-face teaching using proprietary materials and curricula, such as the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program® (HSFPP), as well as financial literacy leadership efforts.
Naming the award after Alphonse Desjardins emphasizes the movement’s long-time commitment to youth. Besides founding the first credit unions in Canada and the U.S., Desjardins pioneered youth savings clubs and in-school “banks,” known as caisses scolaires.
The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award
The Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award is given to a credit union or chapter/multiple credit union group for its social responsibility projects within the community. The award is given for external activities.
Eligible Activities
Credit unions could receive the award for involvement in almost any kind of activity that helps other people or strengthens the structure of a community. This may include raising funds for charity, educational activities, or community involvement projects, such as a volunteer fair, building low-income housing, or loaning employees a few hours a week to work in hospitals, retirement homes, schools, etc.
The Louise Herring Philosophy-in-Action Member Service Award
The award is given to a credit union for its practical application of credit union philosophy within the actual operation of the credit union. It is awarded for internal programs and services that benefit the membership.
Eligible Activities
Credit unions could receive the award for programs or policies that demonstrate their commitment to the practical application of the “People-Helping-People” philosophy.
Examples Include
- Provisions for the small saver or borrower
- Member programs for groups that are often economically challenged
- Internal programs or services that help to differentiate the credit union from other financial services providers
- Programs that do an extraordinary job of encouraging thrift and provide a source of unbiased money management and consumer information, which would be difficult or impossible to obtain elsewhere.
- Evidence of an exceptional degree of service to members
