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Three incredibly deserving credit union employees were recognized with awards last week at the League’s Convention.
Joann Bisson, Executive Vice President at Oxford FCU, was presented with the President’s Award honoring the outstanding League volunteer. She serves as the Chairwoman of the League and Synergent’s Board of Directors.
Over the past few years, Joann has been involved in several League committees including Education, Social Responsibility, Governing, and Governmental Affairs. She’s also active in her credit union chapter.
“Joann is a deliberate thinker,” said Todd Mason, President/CEO of the Maine Credit Union League and Synergent. “She is always willing to speak her mind, but also is a great listener. She holds her ground if necessary and is always professional. She also is great at interjecting humor in all the right spots.”
As a leader on the League/Synergent Board, Joann facilitates initiatives and opportunities that strengthen all Maine credit unions.
Chandra Thoits, Human Resource Specialist II at Midcoast FCU, was presented the Jeannette G. Morin Award honoring the outstanding credit union employee. Chandra has been with Midcoast FCU for five years and is a go-to resource for employees throughout her credit union. Her team describes her as “a fountain of knowledge on who does what, what is where, and how stuff gets done.” She strives for service excellence and is deeply committed to financial education. She will even share her own personal financial journey to help others.
As stated by a colleague in her nomination, “Chandra regularly does the small things that set a true leader apart, whether it is gathering up that spare cart in the grocery store parking lot, shoveling her neighbors out after she finishes her own driveway, connecting her neighbors with resources, or walking through her neighborhood with a trash bag while she walks her dog.”
Patricia “Patty” Kenney, Community Relations Manager at Casco FCU, was presented the Diane L. Oceretko Award. Patty has been carrying out the credit union People Helping People philosophy for 27 years at Casco FCU. As shared by her colleague, “Patty is the heart of the credit union.”
She began working at Casco FCU as a teller and has held many different roles including branch manager. No matter what position she is in, she always maintains an enthusiasm for spreading kindness and helping those around her, whether its through the Casco Cares project that she created, the Campaign for Ending Hunger, or Casco FCU’s Holiday Helpers. Patty also has served as a longtime member of the League’s Social Responsibility Committee, spearheading initiatives to help feed people in her community and across Maine. She also supports Special Olympics Maine, the Gorham Business Exchange, Aspire Gorham, and the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals.
“Patty brings joy and happiness to everyone she works with,” shared her colleague in her nomination form. “For our members and staff, she represents everything our credit union aims to be—community-minded, giving, and thoughtful. Patty is one of a kind and Casco FCU is so lucky to have her on our team.”
On behalf of the League, we’d like to again congratulate these three exceptional credit union leaders. Our movement and our state are better because of people like you.