Rod Staatz, President and CEO of SECU – Maryland’s largest credit union – is the recipient of the Wright Patman Award, the highest recognition bestowed on an individual by the MD | DC Credit Union Association (MD | DC CUA).

Named after Congressman John William Wright Patman, a tireless advocate for credit unions, the award recognizes “extraordinary contributions to credit unions.”

Staatz, who plans to retire at the end of 2018, has served as SECU’s President and CEO since 2003. Under his leadership, SECU’s assets have grown from $1.36 billion to more than $3.3 billion today. SECU has also continued to expand over that period, growing to more than a quarter of a million members and 22 branches statewide.

“Rod Staatz has made a lasting impact on SECU and the credit union movement as an innovator and collaborator,” said MD | DC Credit Union Association President and CEO John Bratsakis. “Rod’s leadership has been defined by his steadfast commitment to growing, moving forward, and taking on new challenges. He is a widely respected voice for credit union regulatory and legislative advocacy efforts, all of which have helped to foster the growth of credit unions in Maryland and throughout the country.”

Since 2003, Staatz has led SECU through numerous banking evolutions, implementing a comprehensive growth strategy for the organization while expanding innovative services such as mobile and online banking and remote video tellers, making sure that SECU continued to offer a sophisticated range of financial products and services.

He also has been a staunch supporter of financial literacy for young adults, spearheading SECU’s financial education initiatives, which today includes sponsorship and involvement in three Millionaire’s Clubs, the annual Scholarship Programs for Maryland state employees, the University System of Maryland, and Morgan State University, ongoing Financial Reality Fairs, and a partnership with the Maryland Coalition of Financial Literacy. His commitment to this cause was also the driving force behind the establishment of the SECU MD Foundation, whose mission is to help people achieve success through education.

The Wright Patman Award, which is an original portrait of the Congressman, has been presented to 30 credit union leaders and advocates since 1976, including two members of Congress. Staatz was recognized with the award on June 5 during MD | DC CUA’s Annual Meeting & Convention in Ocean City, MD.

For more information about SECU, visit www.secumd.org.

ABOUT SECU

Founded in Baltimore in 1951, SECU is Maryland’s largest credit union. SECU is ranked among the top 50 credit unions for total assets in the U.S, which total $3.3 billion as of December 2017. Headquartered in Linthicum, MD, SECU has 22 branches and 100+ ATMs throughout Maryland. SECU also provides access to thousands of free ATMs through the CO-OP network. For more information about SECU, visit www.secumd.org.