Each year the prestigious James D. Likens, WCMS Alumni Recognition Award is given to honor WCMS alumni who have had significant achievement in the credit union field after graduation from the Western CUNA Management School.

Qualifying criteria for this distinguished award includes:

• Significant professional growth in the individual's credit union career since graduation
• Significant service to the credit union community after graduation

 

2021 Recipient: Kent Oram

Kent Oram began his credit union career 1984 as the Data Processing Manager for his credit union. He was promoted to Executive Vice President in 1986 and graduated from Western CUNA Management School in 1989.

In 2007, Kent became CEO of his credit union and has led them to become one of the fastest growing and best performing credit unions in the country. His vision at their credit union is to create a culture of love and he believes if the credit union invests in making their team members happy, they will pass that along to their members with great service. One of the things he is most proud of is the heart of their Green Team, which has come from their focus on improving and nurturing the workplace culture and environment.

During the worst of the pandemic, Kent took on a very visible leadership role in Idaho and sat on the Governor’s Economic Rebound Advisory Committee. He was also integral as a board member and supporter of a startup organization called Crush the Curve Idaho (CTCI), which was organized to keep Idaho’s businesses open and safe. While helping keep his state’s other businesses open and people employed, Kent kept the same focus on their credit union team, reassigning individuals to different job duties and managing to keep their staff intact through the pandemic without a single layoff.

Kent’s credit union has been named a top place to work in Idaho for the last ten years. His staff say this tremendous honor is indicative of their CEO’s heartfelt desire to make Idaho Central an employer of choice. In 2021 Idaho Central Credit Union was named as the #1 Best Place to Work in Idaho!

We congratulate our 2021 recipient of the James D. Likens Alumni Recognition Award, Mr. Kent Oram!

Past Recipients

Kent Oram, 2021 Shirley Cate, 2019 Teri Robinson, 2018 Shruti Miyashiro, California, 2017 Patsy Van Ouwerkerk, California, 2016 Mark Meyer, Wisconsin, 2015 Jon Hernandez, California, 2014 Chris Jillson, New Mexico, 2013 Annette Zimmerman, Texas, 2012 Susan Steifel, Washington, 2011 RaAnn Wood, California, 2010 Brett Martinez, California, 2009 Ken Facer, Texas-formerly of California, 2008 Ava Milosovich, Oregon, 2007 John Janclaes, California, 2006

David W. Brehmer, North Carolina, 2005 Shon Wellborn, California 2004 JoAnne LeCouvre Kersey, Oregon, 2003 John Annaloro, Washington, 2002 Diana Dykstra, California, 2001 Terry Parkyn, California, 2000 Marsha Burgess, Nevada, 1999 Winifred Corey, California, 1998 William G. Ferrence, Nevada, 1997 James M. Sasahara, California, 1996 Rick Craig, Utah, 1995 Beverly Dawson, California, 1994 Bernie Ray, Arizona, 1993 David E. Maus, Colorado, 1992 Richard M. Johnson, California, 1991

 
Nominations
Nominations are now being accepted for the James D. Likens Alumni Recognition Award. This award is presented to the recipient during school each July as part of the graduation ceremony.

Eligibility
Nominees must have graduated from the Western CUNA Management School, or any other name by which it has been previously known, a minimum of five years before the date of presentation of the award on Graduation Night. Members of the WCMS Alumni Association Board, the Western CUNA Management School Board of Trustees and current members of the Selection Committee for this award, are not eligible.

For more information and nomination forms contact:
Patty Jiminez, PJimenez@southlandcu.org
Ryan Olsen, olsenryanc@gmail.com
Denise Mattice, dmattice@extensiafinancial.com