Announcing Individual Achievement Awards

​DakCU presents Professional of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Emerging Leader Awards at Annual Summit. 

During the Dakota Credit Union Association awards banquet that was recently held at the Grand Falls Casino & Resort in Larchwood, Iowa, three Dakota credit union professionals were recognized for their outstanding individual achievements.

Laura Hausmann, Financial Services Representative at United Savings Credit Union (Fargo, ND) received the Professional of the Year Award. This prestigious award honors one credit union professional each year from North or South Dakota for their contributions to advance the credit union movement in their state and the nation by helping to craft an environment that allows credit unions to grow and prosper, to better serve their members. 
​Photo above shows Laura receiving her award from DakCU President/CEO Jeff Olson. 
 
Hausmann has been a valued staff member at United Savings for 22 years. She has expanded her industry knowledge by completing leadership development training, as well as earning her Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor designation, and is currently pursuing her Certified Credit Union Executive designation. She is regularly consulted by her peers, as well as the management team, for her input and expertise, and was instrumental in the credit union’s recent digital upgrade of their mobile banking platform and website.   
 
Jennifer Jerauld, AVP Member Services at Town & Country Credit Union (Minot, ND), received the Emerging Leader of the Year Award. This award recognizes one credit union employee each year from North or South Dakota showing proven dedication and enthusiasm for the credit union movement by executing the credit union mission and guiding in new directions that enhance the overall vision of their organization.
 
Jerauld has rapidly advanced through the ranks at her credit union by demonstrating exemplary leadership skills and an innate understanding of the credit union’s core values. She has served on the board of directors for the Credit Unions United Chapter since 2021 and is the current president. She plays a vital role in promoting the credit union movement through community involvement on both a professional and personal level. 

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​Darrell Pepper, Board Member at Ft. Randall Federal Credit Union (Wagner, SD) was named Volunteer of the Year. This award goes to one volunteer from North or South Dakota each year that has selflessly contributed time, effort, and talent to the development of the credit union movement in their state. Volunteers are an integral part of the credit union movement, and their contributions resonate throughout the credit union community by illuminating the most important part of the credit union structure.
 
Pepper has served on the Ft. Randall FCU Board for 24 years, and as president of the board since 2005. A staunch supporter of the credit union movement, he played a vital role in Ft. Randall becoming a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) two years ago. In addition to his work with credit unions, he has helped local kids in need as a juvenile probation office, drives veterans to doctor appointments, in addition to serving on multiple committees at his church.

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