Minnesota Credit Union Advocates to be Inducted Posthumously into CU House Hall of Leaders

The Minnesota Credit Union Network is proud to announce the posthumous induction of Ray Burnett and Joe Perkowski into the 2021 Credit Union House Hall of Leaders in Washington D.C.

​The inductees exemplified the “people helping people” philosophy and demonstrated a commitment to inspiring others in the credit union movement.

​​​The Credit Union House Hall of Leaders provides recognition at the Capitol Hill facility for a distinguished group of individuals whose leadership serves as a model for credit union leaders throughout the country. 

​2021 Minnesota CU House Hall of Leaders inductees: 

Ray Burnett was President/CEO of Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union (MMFCU) from 1980 until his retirement in 2002. During his tenure at MMFCU membership grew by nearly 500% and assets grew to 20 times their original level. A strong advocate for smaller credit unions, Ray assisted many struggling cooperatives throughout his career, often at the request of the NCUA. Mr. Burnett was very active in both his community and in the state and national credit union system. He served as a director for CUNA, the National Credit Union Foundation, and CUNA Service Group. He was a founder and the first Chairman of the National Association of Community Credit Unions. In Minnesota, Ray was Chair of the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) and served as a director for Minnesota Corporate Credit Union. Mr. Burnett earned dozens of industry honors during his career, including MnCUN’s only two-time recipient of the Outstanding Professional of the Year.

“The legacy that Ray left at Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union and our community is still felt. Ray was passionate about serving people and investing time in the community,” said Chuck Albrecht, MMFCU President/CEO. “It has been an honor to follow his strong leadership and continue to build on the foundation he had established.”

View the tribute video for Ray Burnett.

Joe Perkowski served as CEO of Minneapolis Federal Employees Credit Union/US Federal Credit Union from 1977 to 1997, then served another 10 years on the US Federal Board of Directors. During his credit union career, he committed himself to local, national and international leadership roles for credit unions including service as the Chair of CUNA and the World Council of Credit Unions. Mr. Perkowski established the Foundation for Polish Credit Unions, and served as the group’s first Chair. He received numerous industry accolades over his career, most notably the World Council’s Distinguished Service Award. In his home state of Minnesota, Joe served as Chair of the Minnesota League of Credit Unions and distinguished himself as an employee of the League Service Corporation.

“Joe was a legendary icon in the credit union movement; and to Joe, it was unequivocally a "movement" not an "industry," said Bill Raker, former CEO of U.S Federal Credit Union/Firefly Credit Union. “Joe was a passionate and popular leader at every level -- local, state, national and international -- for the advancement of the cooperative spirit exemplified by the mission of credit unions around the world.”

“While I never had the opportunity to meet Joe Perkowski, his legacy is well-known to the credit union industry,” said Dale Turner, President and CEO of TruStone Financial Credit Union. “That’s particularly true here in Minnesota and at our credit union. Joe retired as our CEO decades ago, but his leadership and his many contributions to the movement are very much remembered.”
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 View the tribute video for Joe Perkowski​