Tuesday was not just another day for Carrie Wood, CEO of Timberland FCU and winner of the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association’s first Paul E. Kanjorski Advocacy Scholarship. Wood was honored at a luncheon Tuesday in Wilkes-Barre, with former Congressman Paul Kanjorski, Association staff, and members of the Awards Committee.
Carrie Wood is congratulated as the recipient of the first Paul E. Kanjorski Advocacy Scholarship, by former Congressman Paul Kanjorski (right) and Association President/CEO Jim McCormack.
The scholarship covers the expenses to attend the 2012 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C. next month.
Association President/CEO Jim McCormack recognized Carrie and thanked Congressman Kanjorski for all the work he has done over the years to support the credit union movement.
“The Awards Committee picked the right person in Carrie,” said Kanjorski. “She is bright, energetic, and passionate about the credit union movement.”
Kanjorski also discussed the current political climate and issues that impact credit unions. “You have to keep cultivating new credit union champions in Congress,” he told the group. “You need to make sure your message is heard.”
In acknowledging her scholarship, Wood said, “I am very excited to go to the GAC, especially after meeting with (State Rep.) Sam Smith, Speaker of the House. I really want to do all I can to make things better for the credit union movement.”
As an example of her political involvement, Wood explained that she did a history lesson for her credit union staff, outlining how and where credit unions came from and where we are going as a movement, as well as political advocacy.
