Credit union professionals from across the Southeast recently gathered in Athens, Ga., as part of the Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS).
What is SRCUS?
The Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS) was founded in 1970 as a collaboration of seven southeastern credit union leagues. This gives leagues an opportunity to maximize resources for various educational opportunities. One such program is the Southeast Regional Directors’ Conference for volunteer board of directors and supervisory committee members that your League will host, July 23-26, in Memphis.
Southeast CUNA Management School
Of the many SRCUS programs, a program pillar is the Southeast CUNA Management School. Through the three-year program, credit union professionals develop operational, managerial and leadership skills. Most work is done virtually with a week-long, in-person retreat in Athens, Ga. Attendees also benefit from chances to network and learn side-by-side with current and future credit union leaders and the school’s esteemed faculty.
Sixteen credit union professionals from Tennessee are participating in various stages of the three-year program.
“I was grateful that my Board of Directors allowed me to attend the Southeast CUNA Management School,” said Beth Sharpe, president/CEO of HealthNet Federal Credit Union, and 2023 Southeast CUNA Management School graduate. “During my three years, I met many wonderful classmates and UGA staff who have the same ‘People Helping People’ mission. Graduating is a career milestone achieved.”
“SRCUS allowed me to experience the cooperative nature of credit unions by learning and interacting with individuals from a diverse set of institutions,” said Jeff Gallaher, accounting manager at Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, and first-year student. “This provided perspective on ways other credit unions serve their communities and allowed me to share how my credit union serves our community.”
“SRCUS helps me better understand how vital the credit union movement is,” said Chris Hagans, vice president-ALM, ORNL Federal Credit Union. “Everyone attending shares a purpose of extending affordable financial services to all. SRCUS provides an unmatched educational opportunity for an individual to further their career and overall understanding of the credit union movement.”
First-Year Cohort
Trae Burcham, Memphis City Employees Credit Union
Will Dunn, St Thomas Credit Union
Jeff Gallaher, TVFCU
Miranda Ingram, Enrichment Federal Credit Union
Dylan Mahwinney, Old Hickory Credit Union
Andrea Mercer, Nashville Firemen’s Credit Union
Suzanne Summerville, TN Connect Credit Union
Cliff Sweet, Fortera Credit Union
Second-Year Cohort
Caroline Bays, Tennessee Credit Union League
Denise Chapman, Kimberly Clark Credit Union
Stephen Cutshall, Consumer Credit Union
Jessica Grostic, Cooper Basin Federal Credit Union
Chris Hagans, ORNL Federal Credit Union
Lauren Smith, Enrichment Federal Credit Union
Graduates
Stephanie Lawson, Enrichment Federal Credit Union
Elizabeth Sharpe, Healthnet Federal Credit Union
Learn More
“I would recommend SRCUS to anyone who has the opportunity to attend,” said Jeff. “There’s something for everyone between the networking, collaboration and classes.”
If you are interested in learning more about SRCUS, please email us. Applications open in early 2024 for the next cohort, but now is the time to start planning to be included in your credit union’s 2024 budgeting period.
