Committed to further aligning and amplifying the collaborative power of the Credit Union System, the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) brought together 225 league and credit union leaders at its 2025 Winter Conference.

Conference discussions and panels centered on collective strategies to strengthen advocacy efforts with a focus on storytelling, enhance systemwide alignment, and leverage innovation to meet the evolving needs of credit unions.

During the conference, MD|DC Credit Union Association president/CEO John Bratsakis was elected AACUL Chair, officially assuming the role on December 4. Bratsakis says he looks forward to working with leagues, America’s Credit Unions, and system partners to further strengthen the credit union system.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as AACUL Chair and firmly believe in the strength of our system and the power of our collective advocacy,” said Bratsakis. “Our impact extends from the hallways of our state capitals to the corridors of Capitol Hill, positioning us to share the latest information, engage in thoughtful discussions, align our strategies and advance and protect the priorities that help our credit unions grow and succeed.”

Additional board officers are:

• Vice Chair – Dan Schline, president/CEO, Carolinas Credit Union League
• Secretary/Treasurer – Caroline Willard, president/CEO, Cornerstone Credit Union League

Other AACUL board members include Director Samantha A.M. Beeler, president of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates; Director Patty Corkery, president/CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League; and Director Keith Sultemeier, president/CEO of Kinecta Federal Credit Union. Serving in an ex-officio capacity are Patrick Conway, president/CEO of CrossState Credit Union Association (immediate past chair), Scott Simpson, president/CEO of America’s Credit Union’s, and Brad Miller, president of AACUL.

Simpson outlined ACU’s advocacy priorities for 2026, emphasizing the value of coordinated efforts between Leagues and ACU to shape policy and protect credit union interests.