March 1, 2021 (Manchester, New Hampshire) - America’s Credit Union Museum, located in Manchester, New Hampshire, is where the history of the credit union movement lives on. Only in the museum will you find an incomparable collection of items, materials, and media, chronicling the significant people, events, records and milestones that form and document the basis of what credit unions are and what they do.
 
The graying of the credit union industry is no secret. We are losing stories of those real examples of the values, philosophy, struggles and successes of credit unions with every retirement or passing. The museum, seeking a way to preserve and share those stories for generations to come, began collecting “CU Stories” from credit unions across the nation.
 
And then came the Coronavirus pandemic and ‘stay-at-home’ orders.
 
The museum used the time away to partner with the Cooperative Credit Union Association to capture and produce “Moments in Credit Union History.” These segments, sponsored by CUNA Mutual Group, feature credit union professionals sharing unique memories from throughout their careers. 
 
“As credit unions merge, leaders retire and the credit union system continues to evolve, we risk losing important knowledge about our history,” said Paul Gentile, America’s CU Museum Chairman and President of Merck Employees FCU. “We must preserve our history and not lose the fabric of our credit union story. We will do our part to do this through the Moments in Credit Union History series.”
 
“Moments in Credit Union History” launches with a three-part interview featuring Dick Ensweiler, a ‘self-proclaimed credit union enthusiast’ with over 53 years in the credit union movement. Dick recalls his beginnings days in the movement and shares his passions serving the Latino community.
 
According to the museum’s Executive Director, Stephanie Smith, these stories “They capture the human side of the credit union movement, telling the stories in the voice of those who were there, and we share them to inspire future credit union leaders.” 
 
Smith notes that 24 interviews have been completed for season one of “Moments in Credit Union History” and invites other credit union trailblazers to contact her at ssmith@acumuseum.org to share their memories and stories.
 
About CUNA Mutual Group
Built on the principle of “people helping people,” CUNA Mutual Group is a financially strong insurance, investment and financial services company that believes a brighter financial future should be accessible to everyone. Through our company culture, community engagement, and products and solutions, we are working to create a more equitable financial system that helps to improve the lives of those we serve and our society. For more information, visit cunamutual.com.
 
 
###
Contact:
Stephanie Smith
603-783-6393
ssmith@acumuseum.org
 

​FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Jen Burke
Public Affairs & Communications Manager | MECUL
Cell: 703.403.3828 | jburke@mainecul.org
 
(MANCHESTER, NH) – America’s Credit Union Museum is pleased to announce the appointment of seven new members to its Board of Directors: Kristi Arrington, Vice President, Growth by Design/League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates; Patti Hazlett, Director of Public Affairs, Mountain West Credit Union Association; Tom Kane, President, Illinois Credit Union League; Sue McCue, Managing Director, Credit Union House; Mark Meyer, President & CEO, Filene Research Institute; Marina Miller, Vice President of Credit Union History and Culture, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union; and Merry Pateuk, Senior Vice President, Industry Engagement, PSCU. The new members bring with them a wealth of experience in the credit union movement as well as a deep commitment to preserving the rich history of our country’s credit union heritage.
 
“For the first time since we increased our board size, we have a full slate of directors,” said Stephanie G. Smith, Executive Director at America’s Credit Union Museum. “We have an incredible roster of credit union professionals and affiliates that are committed to executing our museum’s mission to ensure future generations not only understand the credit union difference, but also our People Helping People philosophy.”
 
The newly appointed directors will serve a three-year term on the Board.

​​Kristi Arrington is Vice President at Growth by Design, an award winning, full-service marketing agency housed in the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates. In this role, Kristi oversees all operations, ensuring a 16-person staff provides creative, high quality and innovative marketing, business development and communications solutions to 100+ clients across the U.S. Kristi has over 20 years of experience in marketing and business development strategy in the financial services arena. She is a member of the Georgia Marketing Council Board, Credit Unions for Kids Activation Board (Children’s Miracle Network), and Credit Unions for Kids Content Marketing Board. She also is a member of the Children’s Miracle Network Greater Atlanta Chapter Committee and the AACUL Communications/PR Advisory Committee.

​​Patti Hazlett is the Director of Public Affairs at the Mountain West Credit Union Association. As Director of Public Affairs, Patti oversees all aspects of public relations and communications for the Association and member credit unions. She is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with trade and local media to position credit union experts and the credit union message in a positive light. She also provides support across the organization in strategic priority areas such as advocacy. In 2015, Patti won the prestigious Blockbuster Award from CUNA for the Best Public Relations project for her work with Landings Credit Union in Phoenix. She also has earned the Credit Union Development Educator designation.

Tom Kane has been President/CEO of the Illinois Credit Union System since 2015. Since joining the Illinois Credit Union League and LSC in 2003, Tom has held several key leadership roles including Chief Administrative Officer, Executive Vice President of Operations, and Chief Security Officer. Tom previously held executive positions with Aon Corporation and Focal Communications and worked at Quaker Oats and the Central Intelligence Agency. Tom serves as a Director of the Credit Union National Association, Credit Union Museum, Cambio Financial Health, is Vice Chair of League InfoSight, and is a member of the FIS Credit Union Advisory Board.

Mark Meyer is the President & CEO at Filene Research Institute. With more than 20 years of leadership experience in cooperative finance, Mark’s recognized as one of North America’s big thinkers in improving consumer financial well-being. An innovation evangelist, seasoned speaker, and facilitator, he’s lectured to audiences across five continents and advised the US Department of the Treasury. Always thinking forward, Mark’s research has appeared in The Wall Street Journal and on National Public Radio. A licensed attorney, Mark held executive posts with Arizona State Credit Union and CUNA Mutual Group prior to joining Filene. For more than 10 years, he served on the board of Summit Credit Union.  

Marina Miller is Vice President of Credit Union History and Culture at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. In her position as Vice President of CU History and Culture, she serves as the on-site historian, ensuring the culture is nurtured throughout all team building activities and credit union learning courses. Marina served on the California Credit Union League’s Orange County Chapter board for many years.  She is a graduate of Western CUNA Management School and a 2017 graduate of the Credit Union Development Educator program. Marina has worked for SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union for 35 years and has held a variety of roles throughout the organization.

​Merry Pateuk is the Senior Vice President of Industry Engagement at PSCU. She fulfills PSCU’s strategic objective of leveraging the cooperative’s scale to advocate on behalf of the credit union industry. Prior to leading the Industry Engagement group, Merry championed, shaped, and orchestrated a superior Corporate Communications and Public Relations practice for the cooperative. Merry also has served in a wide range of senior leadership roles at PSCU to include Account Management, Sales, Corporate Relations, and Marketing. Merry earned the Credit Union Development Educators and Africa Development Educators distinction from the National Credit Union Foundation. Prior to joining PSCU, Merry worked for KPMG in the Financial Services practice as a Manager of Management Consulting.

NCUA’s Hood, McWatters Among Credit Union Leaders in Attendance
 
SEPTEMBER 9, 2019 (MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE) — Something special happened more than 100 years ago when St. Mary’s Bank Credit Union opened its doors in Manchester, New Hampshire as the nation’s first credit union. The creation of St. Mary’s was the beginning of one of America’s most storied cooperative systems as credit unions grew to every corner of the country, today serving more than 100 million Americans with financial services. 
 
America’s Credit Union Museum, which sits on the grounds of the nation’s first credit union, has long been operating as a beacon of our system’s storied history. It is the only place where more than 100 years of credit union history is catalogued, displayed and celebrated for all to see.
 
On Sept. 26, 2019, that celebration will continue with a special grand reopening of the museum featuring the dedication of the Mike L’Ecuyer Skywalk, connecting the past and the present by bridging the original museum building with the new addition. 
 
The skywalk honors L’Ecuyer, the recently retired CEO of Bellwether Community Credit Union and the former chairman of the museum, who led the multi-million dollar effort to renovate the museum. The renovation was achieved over the last two years with the support of all levels of the credit union system, including individuals, credit unions, trade associations, CUSOs, and vendor partners serving the credit union system. Fueled by L’Ecuyer’s passion for the museum, the renovation was an example of how credit unions work together cooperatively for the greater good.
 
Joining in this special event will be NCUA Board Member Mark McWatters, who will address the attendees following the dedication. 
 
“We are pleased that so many from throughout the credit union system came together to make the museum what it is today. For anyone who has credit unions in their blood, the museum is an important destination to celebrate our system’s storied history. We are pleased to open our doors on the 26th to celebrate the L’Ecuyer Skywalk and are honored to have NCUA Board Member McWatters in attendance,” said Paul Gentile, CEO of Merck Employees Federal Credit Union and Chairman of America’s Credit Union Museum.
 
For more information about this event and how to register visit: https://www.acumuseum.org/open-house.html
 

For Immediate Release
 
MANCHESTER, NH – The Board of Directors for America’s Credit Union Museum recently designated former board member, Richard “Dick” Ensweiler, as a Director Emeritus. “This is a first of its kind announcement for the museum, and we are excited to continue working with Dick; his dedication to the movement and his passion for the museum are extraordinary. We are grateful for his continued support and service.” said Stephanie Smith, Executive Director.

Ensweiler officially retired from the board in 2017. During the June 2019 board meeting, board members unanimously selected him to receive this distinguished honor. In order to be considered for designation as a board member emeritus, a person must be a current or former member of the organization’s board of directors and have served the organization’s board of directors with distinction.

"There is no one more deserving than Dick to be our first director emeritus. Dick's contributions to the credit union system are unmatched. We are thrilled to have him offer us his talents to continue to improve America's Credit Union Museum,” said Paul Gentile, chairman of the ACUM board of directors.

The Museum recently finished Phase 2 construction which included fully renovating the existing museum space.  For additional information, visit https://www.acumuseum.org/grandopening/.   Tours of the Museum and Research Center are available by contacting the Museum at (603) 629-1553.

​(Manchester, NH) – The Board of Directors of America’s Credit Union Museum is pleased to announce that they have named the Skywalk at the Museum after longtime Chairman of the Museum, Michael L’Ecuyer. 
 
The decision was made unanimously by the Board after L’Ecuyer stepped down as Chair after serving for eight years.   L’Ecuyer first envisioned the Museum’s Research Center in 2012 and spearheaded the four-year Capital Campaign to create the Research Center and renovate the main Museum building.  The new CUNA Research Center opened in July 2018 and renovations on the primary Museum building have recently been completed.  
 
Museum Chairman, Paul Gentile, President/CEO of Merck Employees Federal Credit Union praised L’Ecuyer’s service stating, “Naming the Skywalk connecting the Museum to the CUNA Research Center is a fitting tribute to Mike’s leadership in connecting the past with the future.  The Museum Board is thrilled to memorialize Mike L’Ecuyer’s impact on both the America’s Credit Union Museum and the Credit Union industry.”
 
L’Ecuyer has served as President/CEO of Bellwether Community Credit Union in Manchester, NH for the last 18 years.   He recently announced that he will be retiring this fall.
 
About America’s Credit Union Museum
America’s Credit Union Museum and CUNA Research Center is housed in the building where the country’s first credit union was started in Manchester, NH.  The Museum offers a one-of-a-kind interactive experience that tangibly illustrates the roots of the credit union movement and the important role credit unions continue to play in the present and future.  
 
Contacts:
Stephanie G. Smith, ACUM Executive Director, 603-629-1553, ssmith@acumuseum.org
 

​MANCHESTER, NH – America’s Credit Union Museum (ACUM) today announced the election of Paul Gentile as chairman of the America’s Credit Union Museum Board of Directors.
Gentile replaces former chair Michael L’Ecuyer. L’Ecuyer is retiring from his position as president/CEO of Bellwether Community Credit Union, N.H. later this year.
“As chairman of the museum, Mike left big shoes to fill,” said Gentile. “His oversight of the expansion of the museum and the increase in support from the credit union community will be long lasting. We will continue to build upon this success and further increase exposure of the museum nationally. My hope is more and more credit unions will want their very unique story told through the Museum and ensure their rich history is preserved.”
“Paul is a great choice to lead the continued development of the Museum,” said L’Ecuyer. “It has been an honor to serve and see so many Credit Union leaders and partners support the important role the Museum plays in our industry. It is a vital part of our history and the keeper of the stories that make Credit Union unique and special.”
​
America’s Credit Union Museum’s board consists of twelve members, including: Paul Gentile, President/CEO, Merck Employees Federal Credit Union, NJ; Ronald H. Covey, Jr., President/CEO, St. Mary's Bank Credit Union, NH; Mike L'Ecuyer, President/CEO, Bellwether Community CU, NH; Chuck Fagan, President, PSCU; Shawn Gilfedder, President/CEO, Kitsap Credit Union, WA; Peter J. Lemire, Esq., Lemire Family Representative; Lois Kitsch, CU Difference; Todd Mason, President/CEO, Maine Credit Union League/Synergent; Jim Nussle, President/CEO, Credit Union National Association; Michael Ray, CEO, Georgetown  Federal Credit Union, DC; and Bob Trunzo, President/CEO, CUNA Mutual Group.
The Museum recently finished construction of the CUNA Research Center and Richard L. “Dick” Ensweiler Research Library.  For additional information, visit https://www.acumuseum.org/news.   Tours of the Museum and Research Center are available by contacting the Museum at (603) 629-1553.
About America’s Credit Union Museum
America’s Credit Union Museum and CUNA Research Center is housed in the building where the country’s first credit union was started in Manchester, NH.  The Museum offers a one-of-a-kind interactive experience that tangibly illustrates the roots of the credit union movement and the important role credit unions continue to play in the present and future.  
 
Contacts:
Stephanie G. Smith, ACUM Executive Director, 603-629-1553, ssmith@acumuseum.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 28, 2018
(Manchester, NH) – The CUNA Research Library at America’s Credit Union Museum was unveiled Wednesday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 
 
The new CUNA Research Center is a result of a $3.3 million campaign that completely renovated an unused building next to the Museum.   Credit Union National Association (CUNA) was the lead sponsor with a gift of $1 million.  Campaign funds will also be used for a second phase which will renovate the main Museum building; add new exhibits; and digitize documents so they can be made available to credit unions, credit union partners, and researchers across the county either physically or electronically.
 
At the ceremony, Michael L’Ecuyer, Chairman of the Museum and President/CEO of Bellwether Community Credit Union, thanked CUNA by saying, “Good trade associations are effective advocates for their constituents; great trade associations also develop and deliver relevant industry products and services to members.  Exceptional trade associations do all of the above and while looking for opportunities to transform their industry.  CUNA’s investment in the Museum was one of those opportunities.  For that we are forever thankful.”
 
Jim Nussle, President and CEO of CUNA said, “Sometimes you go to a Museum and all you care about is the past.  With the opening of the CUNA Research Center, it gives us the opportunity to talk about the future and to celebrate the innovative things credit unions are going to be able to do in the future.  CUNA is honored to be part of this.  We invite all credit unions to come to the CUNA Research Center to celebrate history and to get ready for an exciting future.”

The ceremony also featured a dedication of the Richard “Dick” L. Ensweiler Research Library.  Dick Ensweiler, long-time credit union leader and recently retired CEO of the Cornerstone Credit Union League, and his family were present for the event.   Dick remarked, “To see my name here is beyond anything I could have ever imagined.  The spirit and energy I gave was because it was something I love.”

MANCHESTER, NH – America’s Credit Union Museum (ACUM) today announced the appointment of Chuck Fagan and Lois Kitsch to its Board of Directors.

“We are delighted to welcome Chuck and Lois to our board,” said Stephanie Smith, Executive Director of America’s Credit Union Museum.  “Chuck and Lois will add to the incredible leadership we already have represented on our board.  Chuck brings a valuable perspective of our industry from the vantage point of one of the largest CUSOs in the country.  Lois has lived and reinforced the values of credit unions for so many years.  Her passion and commitment to the credit union difference adds depth to our board as well.  I look forward to working with both Chuck and Lois.”

Charles E. “Chuck” Fagan, III is President and CEO of PSCU, a credit union service organization that leverages the cooperative model to enable credit union growth and to provide an unparalleled member experience through service delivery, access to best-in-class payments solutions, partnerships with payments industry leaders and scale.  Prior to being named CEO of PSCU, Fagan was the CEO of Credit Union Executive’s Society (CUES).  “PSCU strives to serve as an advocate for the credit union industry as a whole, and one of the ways we have done this is as a long-time supporter of America’s Credit Union Museum. The Museum is truly unique in that it provides visitors with a dynamic, multi-dimensional experience that brings the credit union story of collaboration and cooperation to life,” said Fagan.  “I am proud to join the board on behalf of PSCU to help further the Museum’s mission to celebrate the legacy of credit unions over the past 100 years, as well as the important role credit unions play in the lives of members and communities across the country today.”

With the appointment of Fagan and Kitsch, America’s Credit Union Museum’s board consists of twelve members, including: Michael L'Ecuyer, President/CEO, Bellwether Community Credit Union, NH; Ronald H. Covey, Jr., President/CEO, St. Mary's Bank Credit Union, NH; Paul Gentile, President, Cooperative Credit Union Association, (MA, RI, NH, DE); Shawn Gilfedder, President/CEO, McGraw-Hill Federal Credit Union, NJ; Peter J. Lemire, Esq., Lemire Family Representative; Todd Mason, President/CEO, Maine Credit Union League/Synergent; Jim Nussle, President/CEO, Credit Union National Association; Bill Raker, President/CEO, Firefly CU, MN; Michael Ray, CEO, Hoya Federal Credit Union, DC; and Bob Trunzo, President/CEO, CUNA Mutual Group.

The Museum is finishing construction of the CUNA Research Center and Richard L. “Dick” Ensweiler Research Library.  A Grand Opening is being held June 27, 2018 at the Museum.  For additional information, visit https://www.acumuseum.org/grandopening/.   Tours of the Museum and Research Center are available during the CUNA America’s Credit Union Conference June 28-July 1.  For tour information contact the Museum at (603) 629-1553.

Here at the museum this month we are celebrating Founders' Day. On April 6, 1909, the first credit union charter was signed in the state of New Hampshire establishing St. Mary's Bank as the first credit union in America. In the first two parts of this blog, we have looked at what it took to found and create the museum as it stands now. Today, we look to the future of the credit union museum with the grand opening of the CUNA Research Center.

The CUNA Research Center and Dick Ensweiler Library is the result of the museum’s Legacy Campaign, a three-year capital campaign with a goal of raising $3.3 million to create a new industry research center, expand exhibit space and provide renovations to the existing building.
​
The physical and electronic industry research center will make credit union history more accessible, while the additional exhibit space and upgraded conference facilities will enable credit union professionals, legislators and citizens to experience firsthand the unique role credit unions play in the marketplace.

We are excited to take you on the next step of our journey. Don't miss this behind-the-scenes look at the renovation, and RSVP today to attend the grand opening in June.