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Throughout the nomination period for the League’s 2025 awards program, we will feature an award category to help credit unions identify individuals who are deserving of a special honor. There is no better way to demonstrate your appreciation for someone special at your credit union than by nominating them for a League award.
Credit union CEOs are an integral part of their employees,’ members,’ and communities’ lives day in and day out. Across the state, credit unions are guided by strong, dedicated, hard-working, inspirational, and caring leaders—leaders that carve out the pathway to a better future for all. They not only strengthen Maine’s credit union movement but contribute to the national efforts of the credit union community as a whole.
You can recognize your credit union’s CEO for all they do at this year’s Elevate: Annual Meeting & Convention by nominating them for the James M. Gratto Award. Submitting your nomination is easy and can be completed through the online form on the League’s website by March 14. Nominators should detail their CEO’s outstanding leadership, achievements, significant contributions, involvement with the community, and any characteristics that make their nominee special. Feel free to reference the best practices guideline to ensure key points are addressed in the submission.
In 2024, employees of The County FCU came together to nominate their CEO, Ryan Ellsworth, due to his care and attention for employees through a merger, his commitment to philanthropy, and the environment he creates for employees to thrive in. In his nomination, they outlined how instead of separating himself from the employees in the role of CEO, “Ryan works more often on the ground and alongside his team in the most humble and supportive of ways…He’s often heard expressing the importance of making time for family and cherishing the moments that matter in each other’s lives.” They also appreciate that “there’s nothing he asks of his team that he wouldn’t be willing to jump in and help on. Being a leader that’s not above any task reinforces outstanding leadership. Leading one of the largest credit unions in the state while maintaining the willingness to change a lightbulb before asking someone else to do it demonstrates his authenticity as a leader.”
Submitting your CEO for the James M. Gratto Award is a perfect way to show your appreciation for their dedication. The James M. Gratto Award will be presented on Friday, May 16 at the League’s 87th Elevate: Annual Meeting & Convention with the other annual awards. For more information about the League’s annual awards, please contact Jordan Inkley, League Conference & Events Manager, at jinkley@mainecul.org.