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.
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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.