SEATAC, WA (October 19, 2018) — Recognized for outstanding leadership in the areas of social responsibility, credit union philosophy, advocacy, and community impact,Bob Corwin, President/CEO of Milwaukie, Oregon-based Advantis Credit Union, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Northwest Credit Union Association’s (NWCUA) 2018 MAXX Convention.
In recognizing Corwin, NWCUA President and CEO Troy Stang said, “In his four decades of service to the Credit Union Movement, Bob has established an impressive record of accomplishment. We’re pleased that he plans to continue leading, innovating, and serving well into the future.”
Corwin began his credit union career in Portland in 1977 at Tektronix Credit Union, now known as First Tech Federal Credit Union. Working his way up from branch management to senior leadership positions, Corwin helped oversee implementation of innovative programs, mergers of other credit unions into First Tech and the expansion of its branch footprint.
He served as CEO of Wichita, Kansas-based Meritrust Credit Union from 2008-2012, during which assets grew by nearly $250 million.
Corwin returned to his native Northwest to take the reins as CEO of Advantis CU in 2012. Corwin has led asset growth from $987 million to over $1.4 billion. Membership on his watch was increased markedly, from just over 49,000 members in 2012, to 75,000 today. He continues to lead a culture of innovation, member service, and employee engagement. Last year, Advantis’ Grow grant fund provided $50,000 to local nonprofits. In 2017 alone, Advantis contributed more than $70,000 to charitable event sponsorships, and donated nearly $60,000 to nonprofit organizations through corporate and employee match contributions. The Advantis team volunteered more than 1,000 hours of community service in 2017.
Innovation and Impact Award
The NWCUA bestowed its Innovation and Impact Awardon Teri Robinson, President/CEO of Ironworkers USA Federal Credit Union in Portland, Ore.On Robinson’s watch, the credit union was transformed. Assets have doubled, and its financial health far exceeds federal regulators’ standards for “well capitalized” credit unions.
In addition, the member-first mantra at the credit union has improved the lives of thousands of members. This year, Robinson obtained NCUA approval for a national charter that will make membership possible for as many as 90,000 ironworkers across the country.
“Under Teri’s leadership, her team has helped thousands of members avoid predatory lenders, improve their credit scores, increase personal savings, and qualify for home loans,” said Jennifer Wagner, NWCUA Chief Advocacy Officer.
Distinguished Director Honor
Winning NWCUA’s Distinguished Director Award was Cus Arteaga, Board Chairman of Lower Valley Credit Union, based in Sunnyside, Wash.Arteaga helped Lower Valley CU obtain Juntos Avanzamos designation, which emphasizes financial inclusion for the Hispanic market. He was also recognized for expanding access to financial services and technology in large rural and underserved areas.
Young Credit Union Leader Award
Tiffany Pillars, Director of Accounting for Providence Federal Credit Union in Milwaukie, Ore., received the Young Credit Union Leader Award. Pillars has played an integral role in boosting the attendance and engagement of NWCUA’s Mt. Hood Chapter, which she serves as President.
Pillars’ interest in credit unions began when she was in high school. After working her way up through the ranks, she now leads accounting for Providence FCU, which protects nearly $140 million in financial assets for 16,000 members. In the past year she balanced her career with two challenging academic feats – completion of the NWCUA’s Emerging Leaders program, and her second year at the Western CUNA Management School.
Outstanding Service to Members on Main Street
NWCUA’s newly minted Members on Main Street award was presented to Shelton, Washington-based Peninsula Credit Union. The credit union embarked on a successful, five-year mission to renew members’ financial lives in the economically challenged area where 40 percent of the population struggles to survive with their household budgets. Services introduced include checking accounts that help members avoid overdraft fees, auto loans for consumers with poor credit histories, and a mortgage program that helps eligible members with closing costs and down payments.
NWCUA honored the following credit union champions as Advocates of the Year:
NWCUA presented the following credit unions with CUNA awards for financial education and social responsibility programs:
Micro-Communities in Action Awards
NWCUA presented its “LEAP in Action” award to the Spokane Chapter of Credit Unions for overall excellence in leadership, education, advocacy, and philosophy in action. Honorable mention awards were given to the Southwest Washington Chapter of Credit Unions for educational programming, Climb Idaho for wide representation of credit unions and Young Credit Union Professionals of Oregon and SW Washington for its work on a new website—ycupportland.com.
The Southwest Washington Chapter of Credit Unions was honored for its community and advocacy work in Clark and Cowlitz counties
Four credit unions from each of the three states the NWCUA represents were presented with “Top of the Hill” honors for consistently excelling in advocacy initiatives. Those credit unions are:
Washington: Horizon Credit Union, Gesa Credit Union, Peninsula Credit Union, and Inspirus Credit Union.
Presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Advantis CU’s Bob Corwin is Troy Stang, Left, and Tom Johnson, retired STCU President/CEO, who won the honor last year. Mr. Corwin is also pictured with his family.
Tiffany Pillars, Young Credit Union Leader, is pictured with NWCUA President and CEO Troy Stang (Left) and NWCUA Chief Officer Jennifer Wagner (right)
The Northwest Credit Union Association is the trade association representing more than 175 not-for- profit, cooperative credit unions in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington, and their 8.1 million consumer members. As not-for-profit cooperatives, credit unions look out for their members’ financial well-being. Everyone should open their eyes to a credit union. For more information, please visit: https://yourmoneyfurther.com
Lynn Heider
503.329.7208 | lheider@nwcua.org
Jenny Miller
jmiller@nwcua.org
208.713.9596 (Mobile)
