EAST LANSING, Mich. — Two members of the MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) leadership team were recognized over the weekend with individual awards from the Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates.
Ben Maxim, Chief Digital Strategy and Innovation Officer, received the 2024 Professional of the Year, and Greg Deppong, Board Chair, was given the 2024 Board Member of the Year during the Honor Awards Gala at the MCUL & Affiliates 90th annual Convention & Exposition in Traverse City.
The Professional of the Year Award recipient is an individual who has been exceptionally supportive of the Michigan credit union movement over the past year. This person helps build an organization of collaboration and enhances teamwork in the organization. They inspire others as a direct result of their dedication, leadership, and advocacy. This individual has demonstrated a yearlong effort to effect positive change for their credit union, chapter, and community.
Maxim was recognized with the 2024 Professional of the Year Award because his visionary leadership and tireless efforts have significantly advanced MSUFCU’s strategic objectives and have positively impacted its members and the communities it serves.
He first joined the Credit Union in 2007 as a web developer and rose through the ranks to his current executive leadership role. Maxim is responsible for assessing emerging business trends and technologies; providing strategic direction for existing and future digital channels; and facilitating innovation throughout MSUFCU, including leading its innovation center, The Lab at MSUFCU.
In addition to his MSUFCU role, Maxim serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Reseda Group and its subsidiaries. Reseda Group is a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) that helps credit unions remain relevant and competitive by delivering the best products and services to their membership.
“I have worked with Ben throughout his 17-year career at MSUFCU, and he has constantly amazed me with his forward-thinking and innovative mindset,” said April Clobes, MSUFCU President and CEO. “Ben approaches every problem with curiosity and considers innovative solutions that will benefit the members and the Credit Union.”
The purpose of the Board Member of the Year Award is to honor a board member whose dedicated service has significantly impacted their credit union and/or the credit union movement as a whole. It is presented to board members who have demonstrated outstanding service through the giving of their time, talents, and resources to further the goals and objectives of the credit union movement.
Deppong was recognized as the 2024 Board Member of the Year for the way he rolled up his sleeves to get the MSUFCU Board prepared for the next level of responsibility. Recognizing that board succession planning is imperative for credit unions to remain strong and nimble in today’s challenging environment, he helped implement an annual board member self-evaluation, director term limits, associate director positions, and emeritus director positions.
Deppong currently serves as Chair of the MSUFCU Board of Directors, having served on the Board since 2008. Prior to his board tenure, he served as Chair of the MSUFCU Supervisory Committee. A certified public accountant, Deppong is the Controller at Michigan State University. He has more than 30 years of accounting and financial management experience in public accounting and higher education.
“Greg has guided the Credit Union through significant growth over the last five years, and his skills have been invaluable as he has played an integral role in developing leading-edge policies and honing practices to promote fairness and equity for all,” Clobes said. “Greg is a perfect example of an engaged Board Chair. He consistently volunteers his time and considerable talents to help make our Credit Union the best it can be.”
Photo Caption: MSUFCU Board members Elizabeth Lawrence, Angela W. Brown, and Greg Deppong (award recipient); President and CEO April Clobes; Chief Digital Strategy and Innovation Officer Ben Maxim (award recipient); and Bill Beekman, Board member, celebrate at the 2024 MCUL Honor Awards Gala.
ABOUT MSUFCUFounded in 1937, MSUFCU has a national reputation for excellence and has received several top industry and workplace awards, including being named a Best Credit Union to Work For® by American Banker for the sixth year, a Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press for 13 consecutive years, and a National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For® winner for seven consecutive years. MSUFCU has also been certified as a Great Place to Work® for 10 consecutive years and has been recognized by the Credit Union National Association, earning first place for the people-helping-people philosophy Louise Herring Award. The Credit Union operates an award-winning, wholly owned credit union service organization, Reseda Group; along with digital financial platforms AlumniFi and Collegiate; trade name Oakland University Credit Union; and its foundation, the MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation. MSUFCU is headquartered in East Lansing, Michigan; and has 24 branches; over 360,000 members; $7.8 billion in assets; and more than 1,200 employees. For more information, visit msufcu.org.