Several Recognition Awards will be presented to New York credit union professionals and volunteers during the New York Credit Union Association’s virtual 2020 Annual Meeting & Awards Presentation from 9 to 10 a.m. on Monday, June 15. Today’s featured award is the New York Credit Union Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who devoted their lives to the philosophy and success of the credit union movement, and who have made a significant impact on credit unions at the local, state or national levels.

This year, three deserving credit union leaders will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Today, the Association is recognizing William Spearman, a longtime credit union leader and recently retired board member of Hudson Valley Credit Union.

Spearman has devoted nearly 50 years to the credit union industry as a member, CEO and volunteer. As the president and CEO of a New York state credit union, he led the credit union’s charter expansion from a SEG-based credit union to a community chartered one, and he helped grow its assets from $6 million to over $800 million. Under his watch, the credit union exceeded national averages for asset, loan and share growth, and received two Dora Maxwell Awards for Social Responsibility.

After retiring, Spearman shared his governance and leadership skills as a volunteer, joining the Asset Liability Management Committee of Poughkeepsie-based Hudson Valley Credit Union in 2012. After also joining its Nominating Committee, he was elected as an HVCU board member in 2014, eventually serving as secretary, second vice chair and most recently assistant treasurer. Though he concluded his board service this past April, he continues to be an active HVCU committee member.

A CUES member, Spearman’s industry-wide service included work with a number of national organizations. For four years beginning in 2007, he served as a board member of the Association (at the time known as the New York State Credit Union League). Locally, he was president and a council member of the Catskill-Hudson Chapter and in 2004 received the Professional of the Year award from the Association.

Spearman’s service to his local community has been extensive. From his long-standing commitment to SUNY Ulster’s Foundation (for which he currently serves as a director emeritus), to leadership roles with nearly a dozen nonprofits, Spearman has truly lived the industry’s historic value of people helping people. He’s been recognized for his efforts by the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation (2004 Hope Award), and SUNY Ulster (2006 Hall of Fame induction and 2007 Distinguished Alumnus).

Spearman is a graduate of the Bankers Administration Institute and the CUES CEO Institute, and achieved CCE status as a certified credit union executive.

His leadership, professionalism, and genuine desire to help members and the credit union movement have made him an invaluable addition to many organizations.