The first winner of the National Young Leaders Program and Award is Eric Dillon, Manager Lending Services and a member of the senior management team at Rocky Credit Union in Alberta. He was awarded $10,000 to cover tuition and travel costs to attend a leadership development program at a recognized university in Canada.

Eric has been employed at Rocky Credit Union since September 1996. Before that, he worked for Border Credit Union in Lloydminster, Alberta. He was promoted to the position of Manager, Lending Services in October 1997 and has been a member of the Senior Management Team since.

In the eight years since Eric joined Rocky Credit Union, it has become the financial services provider of choice in that community. Under his stewardship, the Credit Department has grown its portfolio by an average of 15% annually over the past seven years. The credit department team has also drastically reduced its risk exposure through decreased delinquency. These performance improvements have been the result of a restructuring of the Credit Department, which was completed when Eric took over management.

Eric is a steadfast proponent of continuous self-improvement. He has been working at his MBA Degree and expects to graduate in March of 2005.

Four other finalists were also present at the event: Michael Atkinson of VanCity, BC; Jody Burk of East Kootenay Community Credit Union, BC; Michelle McGrath of Newfoundland & Labrador Credit Union, NFLD and Jason Sentes of 1st Choice Savings and Credit Union, AB.