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Winners of the NAFCU/PAC 2017 White Hat Award and Credit Union Challenge Awards were announced Friday during the association's 51st Annual Conference and Solutions Expo in Seattle.

"It is an honor to recognize the achievements of these dedicated credit unions and industry professionals that have worked tirelessly to ensure the industry maintains an effective, strong voice before Congress," said NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger.

The White Hat Award is given to the NAFCU member credit union that raised the most money for NAFCU/PAC in the previous year. This year's winner is Members 1st Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa. This is the 14th time that Members 1st has won the award.

"Through its exceptional and successful political fundraising efforts, Members 1st FCU has once again demonstrated its commitment to the credit union industry," said Berger. "This credit union – previously under the distinguished leadership of Bob Marquette and now being carried on by George Nahodil – makes sure that the good work accomplished by the industry does not go unnoticed on Capitol Hill."

Three credit unions won the Credit Union Challenge Award for raising the most money in direct individual contributions for NAFCU/PAC within their respective asset categories in 2017.

The winners are:

• Tulare County Federal Credit Union in Tulare, Calif. (less than $250 million in assets);
• Gulf Winds Federal Credit Union in Pensacola, Fla. ($250 million to $750 million in assets); and
• Visions Federal Credit Union in Endwell, N.Y. (greater than $750 million in assets).

President and CEO of Visions Federal Credit Union, Ty Muse, won the individual Challenge Award, which goes to the person who contributed the most to NAFCU/PAC in the previous year. In addition to his direct contribution, Muse helped lead his credit union to the Challenge victory through his support of Visions FCU staff and by impressing upon them the importance of participating in the political process.

NAFCU's 51st Annual Conference and Solutions Expo was sponsored by NAFCU Services Corporation Preferred Partner Strategic Resource Management. Next year's event is scheduled June 18-21 in New Orleans; register now.