Friday, April 19

7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Convention Registration, Hotel Foyer

8:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m., Leadership Breakfast and Keynote, Emerald Ballroom

10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m., KCUA Business Meeting, Emerald Ballroom

12:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Convention Registration, Convention Center Foyer

12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m., Exhibitor Showcase Luncheon, Sunflower

12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m., YES Committee Silent Auction, Sunflower

1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m., General Session, Shawnee ABC

3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m., Education Breakouts

• Volunteer Panel and Roundtable, River
• Reality Based Revenue Strategies, Homestead
• Proactive Lending In Our Economy, Shawnee BC
• Spouse event: Cooking Class with Sous Chef Terry , Wheat

4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Exhibitor Showcase Reception, Sunflower

4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., YES Committee Silent Auction, Sunflower 

Leadership Breakfast and Keynote

Friday, April 19
8:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m.

Special recognition will be given to:

• KCUA and SFS Board of Directors
• Affiliated Organization Leadership
• Council Leadership
• Financial Literacy Committee
• Political Involvement Committee
• YES Committee

Keynote Speaker 

24 Hours Inside the President's Bunker | Rob Darling

On September 11, 2001, Lieutenant Colonel Rob Darling was working in the White House Military Office and was initially tasked to coordinate airlift assets for the President’s evacuation to an undisclosed site. However, he was quickly recruited to provide his military expertise and became a liaison between the Vice President, National Security Advisor and the Pentagon.

During the next 24 hours, he received real time information from numerous government agencies and worked directly with the National Command Authority to respond to the terrorist attacks. Lieutenant Colonel Darling witnessed first-hand the enormity of the crisis leadership decisions that were made that day on behalf of all Americans.

About Rob Darling

In October 2007, Lieutenant Colonel Darling retired from the United States Marine Corps with just over twenty years of active duty service. He flew attack helicopters in Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the first Gulf War and in Somalia, Africa, in support of Operation Restore Hope. In June 1998, he was selected to fly as a presidential pilot with Marine Helicopter Squadron One and in October 2000, he was handpicked to work for the White House Military Office, Airlift Operations Department. It was in that capacity that Lt. Col. Darling supported the President, Vice President and National Security Advisor in the President's Emergency Operations Center (PEOC) on September 11, 2001.

In May 2002, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School where he earned his MBA in Financial Management and subsequently served as a Program Manager for the Chief of Naval Operations supporting the Department of the Navy Flying Hour Program.

Rob is the author of "24 Hours Inside the President’s Bunker, 9/11/01: The White House," and the President of Quantitative Analytics, LLC, an aviation operations and logistics company located in Stafford, Virginia.

General Session

Hearts of Courage | John Tippets

Friday, April 19
1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

John Tippets shares a heartwarming and inspirational story about famed Alaska bush pilot, Harold Gillam, and his flight from Seattle, WA to Alaska back in 1943. The plane crashed in the Alaska wilderness about 30 miles from his intended refueling stop at Annette Island. Gillam and his five passengers all survived the crash. Four of the six persons survived 29 days in the wilderness before being rescued. Hearts of Courage is a survival story beyond belief. Spouses are encouraged and welcome to attend this session.

About John Tippets

John Tippets spent 42 years in the airline industry, 17 plus of those years as the President/CEO of the American Airlines Federal Credit Union in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas. Mr. Tippets retired from there in 2008 when he authored and published "Hearts of Courage,” a book about the miraculous 29-day survival story of his father Joseph Tippets, a former CAA/FAA employee, who was on a plane that went down in Alaska in January 1943.

In late 2009, coming out of retirement, Mr. Tippets became the President/CEO of North Island Credit Union in San Diego, California. Tippets recently retired again and has been a frequent speaker for credit union groups and credit union conferences.

Volunteer Panel and Roundtable

Friday, April 19
3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

This session will cover hot topics for credit union volunteers in a panel discussion and roundtable format providing valuable learning and networking opportunities.

Reality Based Revenue Strategies | Jeff Rendel

Friday, April 19
3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Let’s face it, margins are tight and getting tighter; operations are as lean as we can make them, and we can’t cut our way to growth. Come learn what credit unions around the nation are implementing to grow their revenue bases in ways that do not require "extraordinary” classification. Learn how your credit union can look outside core business of banking as usual to increase revenue, profits and cash flow in manners that do not compromise, or minimize member service.

About Jeff Rendel

Jeff Rendel brings a wealth of education, knowledge, and experience to the platform for your corporation or association.  With experience as a federal regulator, financial executive and Congressional lobbyist, Jeff knows business and, especially, the financial services’ marketplace. 

As President of Rising Above Enterprises, Jeff and his company researches, synthesizes, and articulates essential achievement elements as they relate to today’s business practices. The mission of Rising Above Enterprises is simple: To develop excellent leaders – in life, on the job, for your members, and for your organization.

As a federal regulator with the United States Treasury’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Jeff examined a wide array of the nation’s banks and worked with all levels of senior management assisting them in developing sound operations, expanded business development, and impressive financial performance. 

Proactive Lending In Our Economy | Celeste Cook

Friday, April 19
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

In today’s economy, people are buying less and saving more so credit unions must become more proactive in their lending strategies to maximize loan growth and profitability. Explore lending strategies that will increase loan opportunities and profitability. Learn how to maximize your resources to bring in more loans. Discover creative lending and marketing strategies that go beyond advertising low interest rates to attract more loan opportunities.

About Celeste Cook

Celeste is founder and President/CEO of cuStrategies LLC. As a credit union industry strategist, Celeste provides strategic planning services, consulting services, and training programs to the credit union industry.

She is a keynote and motivational speaker in addition to a consultant and trainer. Celeste has served as an industry expert, motivational, and keynote speaker for national credit union associations as well as credit union leagues across the nation. 

Celeste has worked in the credit union industry for more than 20 years and has been a professional speaker and trainer for more than 15 years. She previously worked for a $1.6 billion credit union in Atlanta, Georgia, and worked as a consultant and trainer with Rex Johnson of Lending Solutions Consulting.

Spouse Event

Friday, April 19
3:00 - 4:15 p.m.

Cooking Class with Sous Chef Terry

Enjoy this fun and creative cooking experience with Falling Water Grill Sous Chef Terry as he demonstrates the mastery of preparing Steak Au Poivre. Attendees will learn how to prepare this delicious entrée at home and sample the finished gourmet meal.

Exhibitor Showcases

Friday, April 19
12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Exhibitor list

These are excellent networking opportunities to learn about the services and resources available to your credit union to increase efficiency, enhance member relations and improve your bottom line.

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