The Tennessee Credit Union League (TCUL) and Volunteer Corporate Credit Union (VolCorp) recently inducted three deserving individuals into the Tennessee Credit Union Hall of Fame at the TCUL Annual Convention and Expo in Gatlinburg, TN. Jointly sponsored by the TCUL and VolCorp, induction into the Tennessee Credit Union Hall of Fame is awarded annually to recognize the commitment, leadership, and dedication that deserving individuals from the state have made to the credit union movement.
The 2017 inductees into the Tennessee Credit Union Hall of Fame are:
- Bonnette Dawson, CEO, Old Hickory Credit Union
- Kathy Campbell, retired CEO, Northeast Community Credit Union
- The late Robert (Bob) Burt, Former Board Member, Ascend Federal Credit Union
Bonnette Dawson has spent her career helping others in the credit union community. She has served as President of the Middle Tennessee Chapter of Credit Unions; has served three times as Board Chairman for the Tennessee Credit Union League and has been a member of the Tennessee Commissioner of Financial Institutions Task Force since 1999. Ms. Dawson has served on the Advancement Board of Belmont University. She has also been recognized by the Credit Union Business Journal as a leader in the credit union industry and was named Woman of the Year by Madison-Old Hickory Business & Professional Women’s Club with a Joint House Resolution by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee. Ms. Dawson also serves as the Mayor of her hometown, Greenbrier, Tennessee.
Kathy Campbell is a 38 year credit union veteran and trailblazer in our industry. Under Kathy’s leadership, Northeast Community Credit grew from a one person office operation into a $114 million dollar organization with 4 locations, 44 employees, and more than 10,000 members. Ms. Campbell has served as President/CEO, Credit Union Board Member, and as an Officer, President, and on various committees in her local Chapter of Credit Unions. She spearheaded a lending program that led to her credit union receiving the CUNA National Lending Award, and also led her credit union to being named CUNA’s National Community Credit Union of the Year. Kathy has had articles published in national trade magazines such as Credit Union Journal and CU Magazine, and spoke at the 2016 CUNA Community Credit Union Conference.
Volunteer Board Members play an integral part of the success of credit unions. This year’s award winner, Mr. Robert (Bob) Burt is an outstanding example. Mr. Burt served Ascend Federal Credit Union for 31 years before passing away on November 16, 2012. During his time on the Board, he held the positions of Chairman and Treasurer. He also served as Chairman for the Tennessee Credit Union League from 1987-1988; plus, he was a Director for the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) from 1988–1991. He won numerous CUNA Volunteer Achievement Program (VAP) Awards and the Middle Tennessee Credit Union Volunteer of the Year in 1994. His wife, Mrs. Earline Burt accepted the Tennessee Hall of Fame on Mr. Burt’s behalf.
