WASHINGTON – Two long-serving Minnesota credit union presidents – Steve Ahlness and Bill Raker – have been inducted into the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders in recognition of their dedication to upholding the credit union mission.
Ahlness, who passed away on March 10, led Mora, Minn.-based Greater Minnesota Credit Union (GMCU) for nearly 37 years. At the beginning of his tenure, GMCU had only one branch, three employees and $1.5 million in assets. By the time Ahlness retired from GMCU in 2014, the credit union had grown to six branches, 68 employees and $150 million in assets, the Minnesota CU Network said. “He also worked tirelessly on behalf of Gillette Children’s Specialty Hospital and served on many community boards and committees. During his career, Ahlness received many industry honors, including the 2005 Minnesota Credit Union Network Professional of the Year Award, the 2014 MnCU4Kids Committee Making a Difference Award and a 2014 Minnesota Credit Union Foundation Credit Union Builder Award.”
Raker is currently the president/CEO of Burnsville-based US Federal Credit Union, a $1-billion, 70,000-member credit union serving the Greater Twin Cities Community.
“His 15 years as US Federal’s CEO boast many accomplishments, including national credit union recognitions for lending, marketing and community service,” said the MCUN. “Within the credit union industry, Raker also actively serves at the executive level on several regional and national committees and corporate boards. In addition to being inducted into the Hall of Leaders this year, Raker is the recipient of several noteworthy industry honors, including being named to the World Council of Credit Unions International Executive Volunteer Corps for his industry efforts in Paraguay and Cambodia and receiving the 2009 Minnesota Credit Union Network’s Outstanding Credit Union Professional of the Year Award.”