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“Celebrating 25 Years of Service: Unite, Ignite, and Empower”
“We train and support volunteer leaders of credit unions serving first responders to run stronger, more effective institutions.”
“Great things happen when credit unions serving first responders come together. Our face-to-face and on-line interaction is the platform where collaboration begins, and GREAT ideas are generated”       Grant Sheehan CEO NCOFCU


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Wednesday, September 30
 

7:30am MDT

🍽️☕ Attendee and Guest Networking Breakfast / Exhibits open
Wednesday September 30, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am MDT
Start your day with hot breakfast, and the opportunity to build stronger connections with your peers from credit unions across the country.

Wednesday September 30, 2026 7:30am - 8:30am MDT
Bill's Grill Loews Vantana

8:00am MDT

🏷️ Registration/Hospitality
Wednesday September 30, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Please note:  Name Tags are required for all events!

Your safety in the time of COVID is our biggest concern. NCOFCU and the hotel will be following all of the latest COVID protocols from the local authorities at the time of our conference to ensure that you have a safe and pleasurable experience.

While the hotel and the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions Inc (NCOFCU) have put in place preventative measures designed to reduce the spread of COVID-19, You understand that your voluntary attendance at the NCOFCU Conference may expose you to an increased risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus. Furthermore, you understand that NCOFCU cannot guarantee that you will not become infected with COVID-19.

Please observe any COVID-19 requirements imposed by the hotel and NCOFCU for your safety and others. 
Wednesday September 30, 2026 8:00am - 9:00am MDT
Foyer Grand Ballroom

8:30am MDT

1. 🗣️ Welcome Opening
Wednesday September 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am MDT
We are so excited to have you all here and to share with you the amazing things we have planned. We have a great lineup of speakers, workshops, and activities that will help us all learn more about the topics that matter most to us.

We hope that this conference will be a place where we can come together to share ideas, learn from each other, and build relationships. We also hope that it will be a place where we can find inspiration and motivation to take action in our own lives.

So let's get started! Let's make this an amazing event and create something special together.
Speaker
avatar for David Lantrip

David Lantrip

Chairman, NCOFCU
Wednesday September 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am MDT
Grand Ballroom

8:30am MDT

2. 🚒 Fire Dept. Honor Guard
Wednesday September 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am MDT
HONOR GUARD  The Tucson Fire Department Honor Guard, in its current form, has been around since the early 2000s, serving at ceremonies and memorials across Arizona. 

Wednesday September 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am MDT
Grand Ballroom

8:30am MDT

3. 🗣️ 🚒Fire Chief Sharon McDonough
Wednesday September 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am MDT
Chief Sharon McDonough has served the majority of her 34 years with the City in the Fire Department.
Upon becoming a battalion chief at TFD, she was the first woman to serve as a chief officer in the department.
“Sharon has deep roots in Tucson, bringing to this role more than three decades of service in the Fire Department, progressing through the ranks from firefighter, to paramedic, to captain, battalion chief, and deputy chief. “Chief McDonough stabilized our 911 Communications Department, which is the frontline for our first responders and successfully oversaw the implementation of our 311 system connecting Tucson residents to services. Her career is a reflection of what it means to be a public servant. Congratulations to Sharon McDonough on becoming the first woman fire chief in Tucson’s history, marking an important moment for our City,” added the Mayor.

Speaker
avatar for Sharon McDonough

Sharon McDonough

Tucson Fire Chief

Wednesday September 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am MDT
Grand Ballroom

8:30am MDT

4. 🗣️ Exhibitor Introductions
Wednesday September 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am MDT
Each exhibitor will have a few minutes to tell you about themselves and invite you to their booth. https://www.ncofcu.org/sponsors27
Wednesday September 30, 2026 8:30am - 9:00am MDT
Grand Ballroom

9:00am MDT

Tours - Trail Dust Off Road Tours
Wednesday September 30, 2026 9:00am - 9:00am MDT
Guest Tours - https://www.traildusttours.com/jeep-tours/mount-lemmon
Leave the blazing desert behind and climb into the cool mountain air of Mount Lemmon. Only an hour from Tucson, but a world away in climate and scenery. This scenic Jeep tour follows the Catalina Highway through five distinct ecosystems, rising from 2,500 to over 9,000 feet in elevation. Along the way, you’ll feel the temperature drop by 20–30 degrees as you transition from sun-baked saguaros to shady pine forests.
You’ll stop at sweeping overlooks, explore the charming mountaintop village of Summerhaven, and discover why these “sky islands” are among Arizona’s most fascinating natural wonders.
Departure Times: 9:30 AM · 12:30 PM · 3:15 PM (ends with sunset) Duration: ~3 hours
Cost: $105 per adult (+ tax) Pick-up/Drop-off: Loews Ventana Canyon

Wednesday September 30, 2026 9:00am - 9:00am MDT
Mount Lemmon.

9:00am MDT

Strategic Scenario Planning
Wednesday September 30, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am MDT

Strategic Scenario Planning in Uncertain Times: Because Nostradamus Retired EarlyIf you’re serving on a credit union board, congratulations. You’re a volunteer who willingly signed up to guide an institution in a world that looks like a badly written dystopian novel. Pandemics, inflation, talent shortages, tech disruption, AI deciding it wants your job—these are the plot twists. And, spoiler alert, you don’t get to close the book and walk away.That’s why “strategic scenario planning” has become the new hot buzzword in board governance circles. Don’t worry: this isn’t another corporate fad, like “synergizing our holistic mindfulness KPIs.” Scenario planning is simply what happens when you admit you don’t actually know what the future holds (and yes, your strategic plan still pretends otherwise). It’s about creating structured “what ifs” so that when life happens—and it will—you’re not left blinking into the boardroom’s fluorescent lights saying, “Well, nobody could’ve seen this coming.”

TIM Transform Inspire Motivate
Tim Harrington, CPA RET
President, Timothy P. Harrington, Inc. dba TEAM Resources
[email protected], [email protected]
Office: 520-290-5721 Fax: 520-290-8378 Cell: 520-906-7501


Speaker
avatar for TIM HARRINGTON

TIM HARRINGTON

President/CEO, TEAM Resources
TIM HARRINGTON
Author, consultant and speaker Tim Harrington has worked with credit unions across the U.S., Canada and beyond. This will be his tenth year leading the Leadership Development Seminar. Tim's extensive experience and broad knowledge of governance make him a valuable resource. He has... Read More →
Wednesday September 30, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am MDT
Grand Ballroom

9:45am MDT

Coffee Break Networking Session with Exhibitors
Wednesday September 30, 2026 9:45am - 10:00am MDT
Wednesday September 30, 2026 9:45am - 10:00am MDT
Foyer Grand Ballroom

10:00am MDT

National/Credit Union Economic Vision
Wednesday September 30, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
A comprehensive economic update as we approach 2027, and what looks like massive political shifts. This session will explore the latest economic trends, regulatory developments, and market dynamics that could impact the financial landscape this year and beyond. Gain valuable insights to guide your strategic planning, manage risk, and seize opportunities in a rapidly changing environment as Curt addresses:  
  • The Economic Outlook
  • Interest Rate Forecast
  • Credit Union Industry Trends
  • Data Driven Advocacy
Steven Rick
Chief Economist
TruStage
Insurance | Investments | Technology
 Named by Forbes as one of America’s Best Insurance Companies 2024.
O 608.665.5454 | M 608.692.2083
[email protected]

Speaker
avatar for Steven Rick

Steven Rick

Chief Economist, TruStage
Steven Rick is director and chief economist at TruStageTM. His primary responsibilities include conducting strategic research, analysis and forecasting of the financial services industry, with special emphasis on the consumer and credit union markets. Rick’s forecasts serve as a... Read More →
Wednesday September 30, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am MDT
Grand Ballroom

11:00am MDT

NCOFCU Welcomes , Scott Simpson, President/CEO America's Credit Unions
Wednesday September 30, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Scott F. Simpson 
Scott Simpson is the president/CEO of America’s Credit Unions, a national trade organization representing the unified voice of the credit union movement and the 144 million members it serves.

Scott has served for more than 22 years in the credit union movement, including leading Utah’s Credit Unions, California’s Credit Unions, and Nevada’s Credit Unions. He is inspired by the power of credit unions to change people’s financial lives and holds a lifelong belief in the power of not-for-profit financial cooperatives.

His mission at America’s Credit Unions is to energize and amplify the life-changing impact credit unions create every day, while also enhancing credit unions’ bipartisan appeal among elected officials and policymakers in Washington, D.C.

Scott has served on the boards of America’s Credit Unions (and legacy organization CUNA) and the American Association of Credit Union Leagues. He also chaired the Credit Union Legislative Action Council (CULAC), and the National Advocacy Fund.

Prior to joining the credit union movement, Scott worked on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch, and led the Utah Republican Party. A Utah native, Scott holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations and Japanese from Weber State University and is an instrument-rated private pilot.
Speaker
avatar for Scott Simpson

Scott Simpson

President/CEO, America’s Credit Unions
Scott F. Simpson 
Scott Simpson is the president/CEO of America’s Credit Unions, a national trade organization representing the unified voice of the credit union movement and the 144 million members it serves.

Scott has served for more than 22 years in the credit union movement, including leading Utah’s Credit Unions, California’s Credit Unions, and Nevada’s Credit Unions. He is inspired by the power of credit unions to change people’s financial lives and holds a lifelong... Read More →
Wednesday September 30, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm MDT
Grand Ballroom

12:00pm MDT

🍽️ Networking Lunch With Exhibitors
Wednesday September 30, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm MDT
Get acquainted with old friends and meet new ones. Exhibits open.
Wednesday September 30, 2026 12:00pm - 12:45pm MDT
Ventana Heights Terrace Loews Ventana

1:00pm MDT

FBI
Wednesday September 30, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
This talk on fraud in credit unions provides a practical, up-to-date look at how fraudsters operate and how credit unions can protect members and assets. The presenter will cover common schemes (embezzlement, check and ACH fraud, phishing and social engineering, corporate account takeover, insider threats), red flags to watch for, and how fraud evolves with technology. Attendees will gain actionable insights into prevention, detection, and response, plus steps to strengthen controls, governance, and regulatory compliance with guidance from NCUA and related authorities. The session will include real-world case studies, risk assessment methods, and recommended policies, training, and incident response plans.
Key topics:
  • Common fraud schemes affecting credit unions and their modus operandi 
  • Internal controls, separation of duties, and governance best practices 
  • Fraud detection techniques: data analytics, anomaly detection, and monitoring 
  • Employee and member education to reduce risk 
  • Incident response, reporting requirements, and regulatory considerations (e.g., NCUA) 
  • Case studies and practical takeaways for strengthening security posture 
Speaker
avatar for Gregory R. Clark

Gregory R. Clark

Supervisory Special Agent (SSA), FBI
Gregory R. Clark (SSA) is the supervisor of the White Collar/Public Corruption squad in Tucson, Arizona. SSA Clark has been with the FBI for over 10 years and in government service for over 20 years in various capacities to include, active duty and civilian military service, government... Read More →
Wednesday September 30, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Grand Ballroom

2:00pm MDT

"C" Suite Roundtablle
Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Based on the 2026 CEO Pre-Event Questionnaire, several consistent themes emerged:
  • Membership growth and digital transformation were the most frequently cited strategic priorities.
  • CEOs identified cybersecurity, competitive pressure, talent development, liquidity, and regulatory risk as their top concerns.
  • Most CEOs feel their boards are highly aligned but need improvement in technology awareness, strategic discussions, financial understanding, and succession planning.
  • CEOs want discussion around growth strategies, governance, risk management, succession planning, financial performance, and long-term sustainability.
  • Several CEOs indicated a desire for clearer thinking around mergers, partnerships, risk appetite, and future viability.


  • Bernie Winne
    Director , Executive Benefits
    [email protected] 
    Mobile: 617.922.6802 
    benefits.almfirst.com 


Speaker
avatar for Bernie Winne

Bernie Winne

Facilator C Suite Roundtable, ALM1st

Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT

2:00pm MDT

Directors Roundtablle
Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Subject: Join the Conversation: Board Director Roundtable at the Tucson Conference
Dear Board Member,
One of the most valuable aspects of serving on a board is the opportunity to learn from fellow directors who are facing many of the same challenges and opportunities. At this year's Tucson Conference, we invite you to take part in a dynamic Board Director Roundtable Discussion designed specifically for directors, by directors.
Why We Are Holding This Discussion
Prior to the conference, directors from across our network completed a questionnaire identifying the issues that matter most to them. Your responses revealed several common themes, including:
  • Maintaining relevance in a rapidly changing financial services environment
  • Membership and growth strategies
  • Technology, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence
  • Governance effectiveness and board readiness
  • Leadership succession and talent development
  • Economic and regulatory challenges
  • Strategic partnerships and long-term sustainability
The Roundtable Discussion is an opportunity to explore these topics in a collaborative setting and learn from the experiences of your peers.


Speaker
avatar for David Lantrip

David Lantrip

Chairman, NCOFCU
Wednesday September 30, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm MDT
Foyer Grand Ballroom

3:00pm MDT

☕ Coffee Break with Exhibitors
Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 3:15pm MDT
Coffie break with exhibitors.

Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:00pm - 3:15pm MDT

3:15pm MDT

Prepare Today. Lead With Confidence Tomorrow.
Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm MDT
In today’s rapidly changing environment, effective credit union leadership requires more than operational excellence—it demands strategic foresight. Understanding how economic cycles influence member behavior, liquidity, lending, and institutional risk is essential for building long-term stability.
History shows that economic disruption is not an exception but a recurring reality. Since 1900, nearly one-quarter of U.S. economic performance has occurred during periods of recession, financial panic, or major market correction. Across the last century, the nation has faced more than 10 significant economic downturns, each contributing to widespread institutional failures and billions in losses.
For credit unions, the ability to engage in IRR/ALM strategies to anticipate these challenges and respond with confidence is a defining advantage.
In this session, we will simulate the key economic pressures that directly affect credit union performance, from deposit migration and loan demand to liquidity stress and credit risk. We’ll walk through how to build scenarios tailored to your credit union's balance sheet and discuss practical, tested strategies to increase resilience and ensure member service continuity in any environment.

Speaker
avatar for Randy Thompson Dr.

Randy Thompson Dr.

President, TCT Solutions
Randy C. Thompson, Ph.D. is the CEO and founder of TCT Risk Solutions LLC a CUSO. He has consulted with Credit Unions, for the past 32 years. He holds advanced degrees (Ph.D. and MS) in Finance, Statistics, Economics and Public Health and taught graduate courses in finance and statistics at several... Read More →
Wednesday September 30, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm MDT
Grand Ballroom

4:00pm MDT

🗣️ The McCormick Hour
Wednesday September 30, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
An exciting panel discussion on issues & opportunities today & tomorrow!
  • Interest rates and issues
  • fraud, cyber, phishing training and risks.
  • Fin Tech competition
  • Non-Interest Income
  • Staffing issues
  • Digital Currency, the Fed talked about setting up a digital exchange.


  • Tucson Panel –
    · Emerilda (Emmy) Zeqo/Merilda (CEO CT FF CU)
    · Danielle Milner (CEO Boston First Responders CU)
    · Robert Kassab (CEO San Francisco FF CU)
Speaker
avatar for Michael McCormick

Michael McCormick

Chairman, San Diego Firefighters
Michael McCormick has been a Director with the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions (NCOFCU) since its inception in 2001. He has also been a director with the San Diego Firefighters Federal Credit Union since 1998 serving as the Treasurer for 10 years, as the Vice Chairman... Read More →
avatar for Danielle Milner, MBA

Danielle Milner, MBA

CEO, Boston First Responder CU
Milner joins BFCU from Community Financial Credit Union, where she served as Chief Experience Officer, leading strategy across retail, marketing, brand, and innovation while driving growth and delivering meaningful member experiences. She also held the role of CEO of the credit union’s... Read More →
avatar for Emerilda Zeqo

Emerilda Zeqo

CEO, CT Firefighter Federal Credit Union
Emerilda Zeqo Chief Executive Officer, CT Firefighter Federal Credit Union
Emerilda Zeqo has served as the Chief Executive Officer of CT Firefighter Federal Credit Union (CTFFCU) since December 2022. Prior to her role as CEO, she held the position of Loan Officer at CTFFCU from May 2021 to December 2022. Before joining the credit union, Emerilda spent two... Read More →
avatar for Robert Kassab

Robert Kassab

President and CEO, SF Fire Credit Union
As President and CEO of SF Fire Credit Union, I lead the team in putting our 72,000 members first. With over 75 years of experience and founded by San Francisco firefighters, we have a deep and personal commitment to those who serve. With my background in military service, I’m passionate... Read More →
Wednesday September 30, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm MDT
Grand Ballroom

5:30pm MDT

🍷Exhibitor Reception
Wednesday September 30, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm MDT
Meet the exhibitors and see what they can do for you.

Wednesday September 30, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm MDT
Foyer Grand Ballroom

6:30pm MDT

🍷 🍽️ Evening open to visit Tucson and have dinner.
Wednesday September 30, 2026 6:30pm - 10:30pm MDT
As the sun sets over the vibrant horizon of Tucson we invite you to indulge in a delightful dining experience like no other. The island is renowned for its vibrant culinary scene, featuring fresh seafood, tropical flavors, and a unique blend of cultures that create unforgettable dishes.

Whether you choose a charming restaurant, a cozy eatery tucked away in Old Town, or a lively cuisine spot with local flair, your dinner awaits! Savor the sunset and stars with delicious local specialties, embrace the laid-back vibe, and make memories that will linger long after the last bite.

So go ahead, explore the flavors of Tucson, and treat yourselves to a culinary adventure you’ll cherish. Bon appétit!

Wednesday September 30, 2026 6:30pm - 10:30pm MDT
 
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