Finalists Announced for the 2024 GoWest Awards

Troy Stang

GoWest Credit Union Association — a six-state organization serving nearly 300 credit unions and their 17.4 million consumer members — has announced the finalists for its 2024 GoWest Awards.

A record number of nominations were submitted this year by organizations and individuals for consideration in eight award categories – four to spotlight the cooperative spirit of credit unions and four to honor individuals that have made outstanding contributions to development and growth within the industry.

Credit union finalists include:

Employee Experience
This award recognizes a credit union that has intentionally built a culture of internal professional development by fostering a positive work environment, providing tools for growth, and encouraging and supporting career development.
Blue Federal Credit Union
Culture Blueprint, Culture Ambassador Program, and Employee Engagement Passport
Oregon Community Credit Union (OCCU)
32-Hour Work Week Pilot for Member Contact Center
Pioneer Federal Credit Union
The Member Advantage, Expert Experience Day, and “Caught Ya” Awards

Member Program
This award recognizes a credit union that has developed an initiative, business model, program, or service that addresses the local, social, cultural, or economic needs that are specific to the credit union’s membership.
Canopy Credit Union
Financial Coaching Program
Columbia Credit Union
Overdraft Kindness Program
First Tech Federal Credit Union
Youth Villages Foster Youth Savings Program

Community Impact
This award recognizes a credit union that has demonstrated the value of its unique structure through a
comprehensive approach to social responsibility and community impact throughout its institution.
Fitzsimons Credit Union
Financial Inclusion
STCU
Wildfire Response
Verity Credit Union
Microgrant Program Initiative

Cooperation in Action
This award recognizes two or more credit unions, a CU Community or CU Communities, or credit union
professionals from separate credit unions, working together in the spirit of cooperation and collaboration, which
results in a much greater impact.
Arizona Financial Credit Union, Landings Credit Union, OneAZ Credit Union,
TruWest Credit Union
Arizona Credit Union Week
Community Healthcare Federal Credit Union, MoutainCrest Credit Union,
Northwest Plus Credit Union, Snocope Credit Union
Dawson Place Child Advocacy Center
Hughes Federal Credit Union, Pima Federal Credit Union, Pyramid Federal Credit Union,
TOPCU, Tucson Federal Credit Union, Vantage West Credit Union
Mobile Meals of Southern Arizona

In addition to the above categories, GoWest will recognize the following individual award honorees: Young Professional, Distinguished Director, Summit Advocate, and Summit Icon.

Finalists were determined by a Recognition Advisory Group made up of 42 credit union leaders representing 37 credit unions from across GoWest’s six-state region of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. Winners will be presented at MAXX, GoWest’s signature event of the year and largest credit union gathering in the West, during the GoWest Awards Dinner and Gala on Oct. 16 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. Visit gowestassociation.org/event/maxx-convention-2024 for registration information and a complete agenda.

GoWest President and CEO Troy Stang applauds the impressive stories of innovation, impact, and service demonstrated by this year’s nominees, “It’s exciting and inspiring to hear the impact credit unions are making to uplift the cooperative spirit of the Credit Union Movement – these individuals and organizations raised the standard and met the call to be leaders in their communities in 2023. I look forward to joining hundreds of my credit union peers from across the U.S. at MAXX this fall to celebrate these outstanding trailblazers who are driving members and communities towards a brighter future.”

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