Direct Federal Credit Union’s Mendez Named NAFCU's 2018 Paul Revere Award Recipient

WASHINGTON – The National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions has recognized Direct Federal Credit Union’s Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Liaison Maria Mendez with the association’s 2018 Paul Revere Award. The award is presented to the credit union grassroots advocate of the year. "Maria’s efforts and hard work have helped to give credit unions and their members a strong voice in Washington,” said NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger. “We are proud to honor Maria with the 2018 Paul Revere Award in honor of her commitment to the credit union industry, its members and the communities they serve.” “It is an honor to be recognized with NAFCU’s Paul Revere Award,” said Mendez, Direct Federal Credit Union’s Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Liaison.  “I am proud of the work credit unions do to better the financial lives of their members and local communities, and I with the rest of the Direct Team look forward to continuing to advocate on their behalf. Grassroots advocacy is a powerful tool of ambassadorship for the credit union difference.” The award is only given to an individual of a NAFCU-member credit union and recognizes a credit union supporter who goes to great lengths in their grassroots and political efforts, NAFCU said.
 Mendez has actively participated and brought the credit union voice to various Congressional Town Hall meetings, political campaigns, district offices of Members of Congress, and Capitol Hill. In the past year alone, Mendez has met with several members of Congress. During those discussions, she ensured they were informed on credit union issues. Additionally, she has not only engaged her colleagues at Direct Federal Credit Union, but has also orchestrated a peer-to-peer campaign with other credit unions, NAFCU said.  Direct Federal Credit Union is headquartered in Needham, Mass., and was established in 1953.