WASHINGTON–Harold Michael Holmes, VP-new business and Credit Union Ambassador with PFP Services, has been named winner of the Pete Crear Lifetime Achievement Award from the African-American Credit Union Coalition.
He joined PFP in 1985, his first introduction to the credit union world, and quickly became a very successful sales representative for the company, which provides insurance programs and supplemental benefits to credit unions and their members.
According to the AACUC, Holmes has progressed at PFP, holding various positions that have included sales manager, regional sales manager of the Midwest, and AVP of new business. Along the way Holmes has won won numerous sales awards, including the Guiding Light Award for PFP and the President Cabinet Award for Security Mutual.
“As a result of his success with credit unions and their members, he is often referred to as the ambassador of credit unions,” the AACUC said.
Holmes joined the AACUC family in 1998 when Leroy Nesbit Jr. shared with him the vision that Sheilah Montgomery, Shirley Jenkins and Pete Crear had about starting an organization that could help address the disparity gap of executive management positions for African-Americans in the credit union industry. He became an advocate for the AACUC, soliciting support from around the country, the AACUC said.
Holmes is very active in his community and church and recently received the Eagle Scout Mentor Award for his service as an Assistant Scout Master with the Boy Scouts of America. He serves as a deacon, usher and member of the Bus Ministry.
“Harold Holmes is a valued vendor partner with the AACUC,” said Timothy L. Anderson, AACUC Chairman. “He works with our credit unions to bring value to members and their families. His passion for the AACUC and our mission is palpable, and he epitomizes the credit union motto of people helping people.”
The Pete Crear Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually in recognition of a credit union professional or volunteer whose career best embodies the African-American Credit Union Coalition's mission to increase the strength of the global credit union community. Sustained excellence is a hallmark of the recipients. The recipient will have demonstrated support for the credit union philosophy of "people helping people,” organized and/or provided significant assistance to credit unions in need, and have constructively impacted the infrastructure, growth, legislative, regulatory, image and/or service delivery capacity of the credit union community.
In August 2003, Pete Crear received the inaugural African-American Credit Union Lifetime Achievement Award and was further honored by having the award named after him and a college scholarship established in his name. Crear is retired and the past President and Chief Executive Officer of The World Council of Credit Unions, Inc. (WOCCU).
A video of Holmes’ being presented with the award can be found here.