Tennessee Credit Union League Hosts 90th Annual Convention and Expo

The Tennessee Credit Union League welcomed more than 250 credit union professionals and more than 120 exhibitors to Gatlinburg, Tenn., for the League’s 90th Annual Convention and Expo.

Tuesday Highlights

The three-day event opened on Tuesday with a charity golf tournament to benefit Inheritance of Hope, a nonprofit that helps children and families facing the loss of a parent. Tennessee credit unions are rasing funds to send ten families to an Inheritance of Hope Legacy Retreat in Nashville in October. Through the golf tournament and a raffle, credit unions raised funds for the retreat.

The League hosted its Annual Business Meeting Tuesday evening. During the meeting, Fred Robinson, president and CEO, discussed the strength of credit unions. Members also elected the 2024-2025 League Board of Directors.

• Dawn Graeter, Chairman
  Southern Security Federal Credit Union, Collierville, Tenn.
• Laura Parham, Vice Chairman
  Heritage South Community Credit Union, Shelbyville Tenn.
• Amy Banks, Director
  Clinchfield Federal Credit Union, Erwin, Tenn.
• Shelly Brown, Director
  United Southeast Federal Credit Union, Bristol, Tenn.
• Joel Forbess, Director
  Kimberly Clark Credit Union, Memphis, Tenn.
• Mark Fraker, Treasurer
  Chattanooga Federal Employees Credit Union, Chattanooga, Tenn.
• Jessica Grostic, Secretary
  Copper Basin Federal Credit Union, Copperhill, Tenn.
• Carter Ridgway, Director
  Kemba Delta Federal Credit Union, Bartlett, Tenn.
• Brian Trotter, Director
  EPB Employees Credit Union, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Immediately following the Annual Business Meeting was the Awards Program. The League and VolCorp inducted four credit union professionals into the Hall of Fame, including:

• Kendall Foster, president and CEO, Scenic Community Credit Union, Chattanooga, Tenn.
• Caren Gabriel, retired president and CEO, Ascend Federal Credit Union, Tullahoma, Tenn.
• William Jennings, board chair, Old Hickory Credit Union, Nashville, Tenn.
• Karla Knisley, project specialist, VolCorp, Nashville, Tenn.

Ron Smith, president and CEO of Enbright Credit Union in Nashville, Tenn., was also named the TriStar Advocate of the Year for his work helping to advance credit union advocacy efforts.

The evening concluded with Casino Night and a Welcome Dinner Party in the exhibit hall.

Wednesday Highlights

Hoan Do, a city competitor on American Ninja Warrior, opened Wednesday’s general session with a presentation about seeing change as an opportunity to grow. Throughout the day, an array of professional development sessions and young professional sessions were hosted.

The exhibit hall closed Wednesday afternoon with happy hour and door prizes. The Global Women’s Leadership Network’s Tennessee Sister Society hosted a rooftop reception, sponsored by Trellance. Following the reception, young professionals gathered for a special networking reception and dinner, sponsored by VolCorp.

Thursday Highlights

Thursday opened with young professionals sharing insights from the previous day’s discussions with Visa on the future of payments and Gen Z. Jorge Esteban, vice president of community Southeast at Visa, moderated the discussion.

Then Andy Jenning, conference emcee, shared his family’s experience with cancer and how credit unions can help alleviate the financial burden of families facing terminal illness. Through his work with the National Credit Union Foundation, he is helping to highlight the financial crisis of cancer hiding in plain sight through the Side Effects campaign.

Save the Date

Next year’s Annual Convention and Expo is April 22-24, 2025, at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.