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 WCMS.
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
2024 Recipients: David Ellings and Nancy Wood
For 2024 we broke tradition and awarded two James D. Likens WCMS Alumni Recognition Awards.
David Ellings was Chief Lending Officer at South Bay Credit Union in Redondo Beach from 1982 until 2023. He was a WCMS 1989 Lambda, and served as a GA for the 1990 Mu class and 1991 Nu class; and held a BA in Theatre Arts from UCLA. He volunteered with the Beach Cities and Southwest Chapter Board of Governors for more than two decades, including six years as District Delegate to the CCUL, serving on numerous league committees. David passed shortly before the 2023 WCMS session and is survived by his partner Doug, who we thank for sharing him with us for so many years.
Nancy Wood left the dark side in 1981, going to work for Northrop Grumman FCU where she held a series of positions from teller to member services supervisor to manager of electronic and share services. In 2004 she joined Aerospace Federal Credit Union as branch manager and was later promoted to VP of member services. She graduated from WCMS in the Chi class of 2000; and holds a Bachelor’s in Business Management from University of Phoenix. She volunteered for numerous credit union causes and frequently represented WCMS at league annual meetings. In 2012 she landed her dream job with WCMS as Director of School Administration. She has two grown, married sons who have blessed her with grandchildren Gavin, Avery, Harper, and Cruz; and since retiring in 2023 has enjoyed relaxing, reading, and walking the beach with her partner Greg. Due to her partnership at WCMS with our first Likens Award winner they’ve been known as Mom & Dad, Lars & Inga, and David & Nancy.
Past Recipients
Winona Nava, 2023
Bob Toohey, 2022
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 WCMS, 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 WCMS 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