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Merrimack Valley Credit Union’s John J. Howard was recently named CEO of the Year and Assistant Vice President of Member Support Zobeida Duarte was named Young Professional of the Year during the Cooperative Credit Union Association’s annual APEX conference.
Both were honored during the APEX Awards of Excellence Ceremony earlier this month. The CEO of the Year award recognizes a CEO who is a successful leader, especially in their “efforts to achieve growth in the many ways it serves its members,” and is “an inspiration to the team by constantly motivating them to excellence,” according to the association. Howard, who has served as CEO since 2018, has led three successful mergers that have grown the company into the fifth largest credit union in Massachusetts with $2.3 billion in assets. He has also played an instrumental role in developing the credit union’s workplace culture.
“We have such an outstanding team and I am surrounded by excellent people. We have a strong culture that we invest a lot in, and it’s built by all of us,” Howard said during his acceptance speech.
The Young Professional of the Year award recognizes a credit union professional under the age of 40 who is committed to the values and principles of the credit union movement and demonstrates exemplary leadership skills.
Duarte began working for credit union in 2013 as a part-time call center representative and worked her way up to her current role as assistant vice president of member support. The Lawrence native acknowledged her roots in the Merrimack Valley and commitment to serving her community in her acceptance speech.
“I was welcomed with open arms, presented with opportunities to grow, learn and eventually lead others. Most importantly, I am now in a position to give back to the community that has given so much to me. I am so glad that MVCU and the credit union industry are investing in young people—especially young women—and helping to elevate their voices and talents,” she said.
The CCUA is a credit union trade organization that represents credit unions in Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.