Cornerstone contingent visits nation’s capital for new member reception

Last week, a contingent of leaders from Cornerstone League and credit unions took the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C., to attend CUNA’s New Member Reception. They also met with 11 newly elected lawmakers and their legislative staff who represent Kansas, Missouri, and Texas.

Cornerstone’s credit union contingent included:

• Bradley Bailey, President/CEO, Red River Credit Union
• David Bleazard, President/CEO, First Service Credit Union
• David Frazier, President/CEO, Texans Credit Union
• Sal Guerrero, AVP Corporate Communications & Public Relations, Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union
• Carolyn Jordan, Chief Growth Officer, Neighborhood Credit Union
• Fred Milton, Chairman, Red River Credit Union
• Jay Neathery, President/CEO, United Consumers Credit Union
• Mike O’Brien, Director, Community & Government Relations, CommunityAmerica Credit Union
• Mary Beth Spuck, President/CEO, Resource One Credit Union
  

Because of the days-long voting for the 118th Congress’s Speaker of the House, which required elected officials to remain in the House chamber, some lawmakers were unavailable for a meet-and-greet. However, the visits the Cornerstone contingent did have were productive and beneficial to ongoing advocacy and engagement efforts.

For instance, one visit to Congressman Nathanial Moran’s office proved surprisingly memorable, as Red River Credit Union CEO Bradley Bailey and Chairman Fred Milton became Moran’s first-ever constituents to visit from back home in Texarkana.

Red River Credit Union’s Fred Milton (left) and Bradley
Bailey (right) meet with newly elected Rep. Nathaniel Moran (center).

The Cornerstone League contingent included EVP/Chief Advocacy Officer Jim Phelps, VP Credit Union Relations Gretchen Ziegler, Kansas Credit Union Association Executive Director Michael Murray, and Missouri Credit Union Association Executive Director Ian Dunlap.

Dunlap reported that credit union leaders from Missouri were on hand to welcome the state’s two new congressmen, Mark Alford (R-District 4) and Eric Burlison (R-District 7). They were also able to meet with the staff of Sen. Josh Hawley (R) and newest Sen. Eric Schmitt (R).

Murray said his group met with all offices of the Kansas congressional delegation in the House and Senate. “While we were there to offer congratulations and wish them well, we were able to discuss some upcoming issues and plan future meetings in the state and at GAC,” said Murray. “Special thanks to Rep. Jake LaTurner who left a meeting involving the speaker’s race to say hello.”

“We were pleased to visit our nation’s capital for a meet-and-greet with our newly elected officials,” said Phelps. “As the 118th Congress gets underway, we want to ensure lawmakers remember credit unions and their unique structure and mission when they consider legislation that impacts the financial services industry. Despite the speaker’s challenge in the House, our contingent was able to engage with select members in the House and Senate and their staffs.”

Neighborhood Credit Union’s Carolyn Jordan with new Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-District 30) at Honeywell reception.

Outside Sen. Roger Marshall’s office (l to r): John McKechnie, Total Spectrum; James Buckley and Bill Birsic, Marshall’s legislative assistants; Michael Murray, Kansas Credit Union Association; and Mike O’Brien, CommunityAmerica Credit Union.

Outside Sen. Jerry Moran’s office (l to r): Mike O’Brien, Community/America Credit Union; Jordan Ebert, Moran’s legislative assistant; and Michael Murray, Kansas Credit Union Association.

Outside Congress (l to r): Fred Milton, Red River CU; David Bleazard, First Service CU; Mary Beth Spuck, Resource One CU; Bradley Bailey, Red River CU; and David Frazier, Texans CU.

Bradley Bailey, Red River CU; Gretchen Ziegler and Jim Phelps, Cornerstone League; and Fred Milton, Red River CU attend CUNA’s 2023 New Member Reception.

(L to R) Jay Neathery, United Consumers Credit Union; Mike O’Brien, CommunityAmerica Credit Union; Rep. Eric Burlison (R-District 7); and Ian Dunlap, Missouri Credit Union Association.