Page 13 - Contact Magazine: 2nd Quarter, 2016

Credit Union Connections AC&E Sessions

For many longtime AC&E attendees, one of the greatest benefits Kathie Trembath, CEO at Detroit’s Diversified Members
of the conference is the fact that it’s simply the largest annual CU, also called the networking a highlight of the con-
gathering in Michigan’s credit union community. ference, but added that “Usually the opening keynote
is very, very good.”
“You get a chance to have deeper conversa-
tions with people from the league and That will no doubt be the
at the state level that you don’t really case again this year. Deliver-
get a chance to have on a daily basis,” ing one of this year’s key-
explained Michael Poulos, CEO of Lathrup note addresses will be
Village-based Michigan First CU. “There’s Alex Sheen, founder of
value in the instruction and the speakers “Because I Said I Would,”
the league brings in as well, but a lot of the a social movement and
value lies in getting to see and talk with nonprofit dedicated
people you really haven’t seen very often to the betterment of
during the year. The time for extended con- humanity. In his rem-
versations is very helpful.” arks, Sheen will address how the movement
supports and encourages making and
Dean Trudeau, CEO of Public Service CU (PSCU) in Romulus, keeping promises, and how his group
estimated that he’s attended AC&E at least 20 times. So why is helping hold people accountable for
does he keep coming back? their commitments.

“I love the camaraderie with other credit unions,” he said. And Sheen’s keynote is just the begin-
“I think we work in the greatest industry with people who ning. Among the other distinguished
really care about their coworkers and even the competition. speakers addressing the convention
I know that if I need something from another credit union, will be Kurt David, a former profes-
they’d be there in a heartbeat to get me a policy or strategies sional athlete, author and television
that might work for me. So the camaraderie is one huge reason host who will speak about lead-
I go.” ership and teamwork during the
CUES Networking Luncheon on
Hank Hubbard, CEO of One Detroit CU, said the event serves as June 11 (see related story, page
an annual reminder of the collective brain power and capacity 19). Longtime credit union leader
for innovation within the movement. Jim Kasch will also help clue
credit union professionals in on
“I always enjoy hearing what the award winners did to earn their how to better deepen their
awards, because that means that they’re doing something that’s existing relationships with
really different and exceptional, and that tends to inspire me,” young members—and how to
he said. “I’m there to listen to what people are doing in the attract the next generation
industry that’s sort of groundbreaking.” of members to the credit
union—during a session
He’ll have no shortage of opportunities at this year’s AC&E. titled “Attract, Serve and
The 2016 award winners include an Upper Peninsula credit Retain Millennials: More
union that experienced 78 percent loan growth over the course Than Delivery Channels
of five years, a chapter so committed to advocacy that it brought and Social Media”
a busload of its members to Lansing to meet with legislators, (see related story,
a credit union that developed an innovative payday alternative page 10).
loan product and much more. Plus, this issue of Contact
features an exclusive interview with MCUL’s Young
Professional of the Year (see story, page 15).

Second Quarter 2016 I Contact 13