DCUC 2025 Hall of Honor Gala and Passing of Gavel Ceremony

​PALM DESERT, CA – On Thursday, July 31, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) held its 2025 Hall of Honor Dinner and ceremony. Every year, DCUC honors individuals whose contributions over the years have made a significant difference to DCUC and the defense credit union community. 

Appointing of New DCUC Board Chair
At the start of the ceremony, DCUC officially held its ‘Passing of the Gavel’ tradition to commemorate the transition of the DCUC Board Chair position. Jack Fallis, President & PNW of International Markets for Global CU, formally announced Maggie Sayer, President/CEO of Keys FCU, as the new DCUC Board Chair during his address. Sayer then gave her acceptance speech, thanking Fallis for his leadership in guiding DCUC during his tenure, especially through tremendous growth and pivotal milestones.
 
“I also want to thank my fellow board members and Tony for their trust and support as I accept this prestigious honor as Chairwoman. As DCUC’s Chair, I’m excited to build on the momentum and strength of our shared mission in serving the defense community. I am also incredibly proud of DCUC’s advocacy efforts, leadership, and dedication to ensuring the voice of credit unions is well-heard and understood,” Sayer added. “It's been an honor to serve the Board thus far and be given the opportunity to represent the interests of Navy and Coast Guard-affiliated credit unions, credit unions in the Southeast region, and smaller credit unions. Once again, thank you to Tony, Jack, the Board, and you all for your trust and support.  I look forward to continuing our work together with dedication and purpose.”
 
Hall of Honor Gala Ceremony & Speeches
This year’s ceremony honored three exceptional individuals: Colonel Gerald Polyascko (Ret.), Director & Committee Chair, Board of Directors, Frontwave Credit Union; Raymond White Jr., Chairman of the Board, FreeStar Financial Credit Union; and Gerald Brown, Director Emeritus, Andrews Federal Credit Union. Each of the honorees shared what it meant to them to be selected as DCUC Hall of Honor recipients, and thanked their supportive credit union colleagues, family members, and loving spouses, and the defense credit union community.
 
“[This] is a Frontwave award as well…for leadership and the team, and the culture that we have developed, which focuses on doing what's right for the membership and educating young marines, and the Marine Corps recruits in San Diego to meet their financial challenges and needs,” said Polyascko.
 
He then recognized Bill Birnie, Frontwave CU President/CEO, for his leadership, which “caused the [Frontwave] team spirit and culture to thrive” and has led to their present success.
 
Polyascko concluded his speech with, “Looking ahead, I am confident that the values and principles we have instilled at Frontwave Credit Union will continue to guide its future endeavors. The dedication of everyone involved, board members, staff, and management, has been instrumental in making this journey so impactful. It is my hope that we will persist in fostering innovation, inclusivity, and a steadfast commitment to serving our members with excellence. All the credit union representatives here today deserve recognition for the time, effort, and dedication that you put into this…it's not one person, it's a team of employees, management, CEOs, and directors working together to get the job done.”
 
White reflected on his time in the service, and thereafter as a credit union leader, sharing, “The lessons I've learned in uniform: discipline, integrity, and commitment to a cause greater than oneself, have guided me every step of the way. After my military service, I spent time as a business consultant helping organizations sharpen their mission and strengthen their impact. As a FreeStar Financial Credit Union member and board volunteer, I found a community with remarkable similar spirit. I discovered that the credit union movement and the military share a common purpose: people helping people.”
 
White added, “This honor is not mine alone. It belongs to my fellow airmen, to the dedicated credit union professionals and volunteers, to my mentors, and most of all, to my family.
 
Brown shared, “Reflecting on the past 33 years with Andrews Federal Credit Union, I'm filled with immense pride and gratitude. When I first began my journey with the credit union, it was with the belief that we could make a real difference in the lives of our military families. I brought with me the perspective of both an enlisted airman and an officer, along with a deep commitment to serve those who serve.”
 
Brown continued, stating, “My time in the Air Force, federal service, and in volunteer leadership has taught me that true leadership is about service, lifting others as you climb, and staying true to the mission and the people it serves. To my colleagues at Andrews Federal, DCUC leadership, and dear friends along the way, thank you for your trust, support, and shared pursuit of veterans. Thank you is all I can say. God bless you.”
 
DCUC Leadership Remarks
"Today’s honorees—Polyascko, White, and Brown—have each reminded us that credit union leadership across the board is grounded in purpose,” said Fallis. “Tonight we saw a shared thread from each of our honorees: enduring impact comes from servant leadership, strong principles, and an unwavering dedication to serving others."
 
Sayer remarked, “In listening to Polyascko, White, and Brown, one thing is clear—true leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about people. Polyascko honored the strength of team and culture; White spoke to the spirit of unity carried from the military into our movement; and Brown reflected on a life spent lifting others through decades of service. Their words are a reminder that behind every accomplishment stands a community working together with shared purpose. We are grateful for the legacy each of them continues to build."
 
"What we heard from Polyascko, White, and Brown today was more than reflection—it was a call to action. A call to uphold values, to put service before self, and to build something greater through unity and dedication. Polyascko’s leadership at Frontwave, White’s bridge between uniform and cooperative service, and Brown’s deep-rooted commitment to military and veteran families—these are the examples that inspire us to keep leading with heart, integrity, and resolve. Their words reflect the very best of our shared mission, and the credit union movement as a whole," said Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO.
 
The DCUC Hall of Honor
The DCUC Hall of Honor was established in 2000 to recognize those individuals whose exceptional contributions over the years have made a significant difference to DCUC and the defense credit union community. This prestigious award highlights the outstanding accomplishments of leaders, volunteers, management, and staff alike, whose efforts and endless support of the credit union movement and DCUC epitomize our shared values and philosophy of ‘Serving Those Who Serve Our Country.’
 
For more information on DCUC’s Hall of Honor, visit dcuc.org/hoh.