CU Aware, Out of Body

Few people on the planet have done more to push credit unions forward over the past few decades than Lois Kitsch, Larry Blanchard, and Maurice Smith. A combination of luck, a one-way ticket to North Carolina, and an amazing initiative by two of the up-and-coming stars of the credit union system allowed me share the stage with these amazing people last week in Raleigh.

This was a surreal moment for me for several reasons:

  • I was visiting North Carolina for the second time since I moved away. It was neat to see so many familiar faces.
  • If I were to put together a top 25 list of people I look up to in credit unions, three of them were on stage with me.
  • I’m too young to make a statement like this, but I see a lot of myself in Patrick Livingston and Brandon McAdams, the hosts of this CU Aware event.
  • I had no business being on the stage.
  • I’m posting the recording of this event in the hopes that you will take some time to learn from Lois, Larry, and Maurice. Their view on credit unions’ path forward is inspirational, optimistic, and invaluable. I’d also like to take some time to officially thank CU Aware for allowing me to be a part of this. Every time I spoke, I was thinking to myself “shut up…you’re the side show.” While I was on stage, I definitely felt like I was in the audience learning from Lois, Larry, and Maurice. Thank goodness they are willing to share their stories…and thank goodness groups like CU Aware understand the value of it.


    Video streaming by Ustream

    2 thoughts on “CU Aware, Out of Body

    1. Matt: getting to see you in NC was a real treat and it was terrific that you were able to be a part of the CU Aware panel. I enjoyed watching the stream very much.

      The CU Aware folks are amazing! Good things are happening all around.

    2. Appreciate the praise, but you’re being too modest. You’re a big part of why we do what we do, you show day in and day out that you don’t need a big title to have a big impact.

      You also provided a unique take and can’t imagine having that panel without you. Just wish we could have promoted your attendance more and gotten more views!

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