Published: August 11, 2008 01:26 pm      

Adan receives distinguished award

Phyllis Kunze, CEO of the East Central Credit Union, recently received the 2007 Oklahoma Credit Union Professional of the Year Distinguished Service Award at the Oklahoma Credit Union League’s Annual Meeting in Tulsa.

This award is presented to an individual who has been instrumental in promoting the credit union philosophy “people helping people,” and who has demonstrated professionalism in both work and community endeavors.

In her 25-year tenure at the Credit Union, Kunze has been instrumental in many changes, including the addition of numerous financial services and increased membership growth.

She has been actively involved in the issues facing state-chartered credit unions, and under her direction, ECCU was the first credit union in Oklahoma to receive the NCUA designation as a low-income credit union.

She has also been involved in the issues and concerns facing small credit unions, and was instrumental in the establishment of a Small Credit Union Group which actively aids small credit unions with compliance and other issues. She has served on numerous state councils, and has also received a recent appointment from State Banking Commissioner Mick Thompson to serve on a State Credit Union Rules Review Committee.

Kunze is a graduate of Ada High School and East Central University, and is an active member of the Ada community, serving on numerous boards and committees.

She continually promotes financial literacy, and participates in financial counseling and outreach to those of modest means.

She has established three scholarships from the Credit Union to aid students attending East Central University, and maintains close contact with the University and Pontotoc County schools in order to promote the Credit Union philosophy.

She and her husband, Jim, attend Central Church of Christ.