Northwest Federal Credit Union Celebrates New Leesburg Branch with Grand Opening Community Event

LEESBURG, Va., May 27, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Northwest Federal Credit Union held its Leesburg Branch Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, May 21.  Festivities began with an official ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a donation presentation to the Loudoun Volunteer Financial Council and a carnival-style community event. The new Northwest Federal branch is located at 525 Trimble Plaza off Battlefield Parkway in the Oaklawn development of Leesburg.

NWFCU President/CEO Gerrianne D. Burks and Leesburg's Vice Mayor Kevin D. Wright officiated the branch opening ceremony.  "We are pleased to welcome Northwest Federal Credit Union to the Oaklawn community," said Mr. Wright. "Northwest Federal's commitment to the communities they serve coupled with their exceptional style of banking are a perfect fit for Leesburg's residents and businesses."  

Also participating in the ceremony were The Honorable Robert S. Wertz, Loudoun County Commissioner of Revenue; Gwen Pangle, Loudoun County Economic Development Commission Member; Tony Howard, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce President; and Tom Conroy, Chairman, Northwest Federal Credit Union's Board of Directors.

"We're excited to be extending our Northwest family into Loudoun County," said Northwest Federal Credit Union President and CEO, Gerrianne Burks. "It is wonderful to not only be able to serve our members living and working in Leesburg and Loudoun County but to also have the opportunity of introducing Northwest Federal to others in the community. Our goal is to make a positive difference in our members' lives by delivering an extraordinary banking experience like none other in the metro area."

Following the ceremony, Linda Rogus, Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation's Executive Director presented a check to Loudoun Volunteer Financial Council representatives in support of financial education programs for Loudoun County high schools. NWFCU's Foundation has supported these programs since 2007 through employee workshop volunteers and monetary donations totaling $5,000.

After the check presentation, members of the local Heritage High School's marching band kicked off the carnival celebration. The sunny weather helped draw out a record crowd to enjoy lunch catered by Carolina Brothers Barbeque, door prize drawings totaling $2,500 in value, carnival games for the kids, face painting, a balloon artist, as well as popcorn and cotton candy. Commemorative T-shirts with a design featuring well-known Leesburg landmarks were also given away to guests.

More than 700 members of the community attended the day's festivities with many opening their first accounts with the Credit Union. Northwest Federal member Regis H. attended the event with his family and said, "I've been a member for over 20 years and now that you are so close to home, all of my friends and neighbors can become members too."

As part of its introduction to the community, Northwest Federal is also planning to sponsor and participate in several Leesburg community events. The Credit Union was the title sponsor for the Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival in April and will be the Gold sponsor of the 21st Annual Town of Leesburg Independence Day Celebration.

Lobby hours for Northwest Federal's Leesburg Branch are Monday – Friday 10:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday – 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.. Drive-thru banking hours are Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Ribbon cutting ceremony photos:

Photo 1 of ribbon cutting ceremony. Pictured from the left: NWFCU President/CEO Gerrianne D. Burks; Tony Howard, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce President; Gwen Pangle, Loudoun County Economic Development Commission; Tom Conroy, NWFCU Board of Directors Chairman; The Honorable Robert S. Wertz, Loudoun County Commissioner of Revenue; and Leesburg Vice Mayor, Kevin D. Wright.

Photo 2 of ribbon cutting ceremony. NWFCU President/CEO Gerrianne D. Burks and Leesburg Vice Mayor Kevin D. Wright cut the ribbon to officially open NWFCU's Leesburg office.

Photo 3 of ribbon cutting ceremony. Leesburg's Vice Mayor, Kevin D. Wright welcomes NWFCU President, Gerrianne D. Burks and Northwest Federal Credit Union to the Oaklawn Community.

Photo of check presentation. From the left: NWFCU President/CEO Gerrianne D. Burks; Linda Rogus, NWFCU Foundation Executive Director; Tom Conroy, NWFCU Chairman, Board of Directors; Priscilla B. Godfrey, Loudoun Volunteer Financial Council Board Member; Debra Foster, Virginia Cooperative Extension representative; Gwen Pangle, Loudoun County Economic Development Commission; The Honorable Robert S. Wertz, Loudoun County Commissioner of Revenue; and Leesburg Vice Mayor, Kevin D. Wright.

Photo of distinguished guests. NWFCU Executives and distinguished guests gathered outside after the ribbon cutting ceremony to pose with Northwest Federal's mascot, Westie. In front: NWFCU President/CEO Gerrianne D. Burks, NWFCU SVP of Lending, Colleen Daly. Left: Greg Gibson, NWFCU CFO;  Chris Meese, NWFCU CIO; William Cook, NWFCU SVP of Planning & Member Service; David Eldred, NWFCU Board Vice Chairman; Phyllis Ziakas, VP Human Resources and Development;  Tom Conroy, NWFCU Chairman, Board of Directors; Chuck Molina, NWFCU Board Treasurer; Joel Ticknor, NWFCU Board Member; Tony Howard, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce President; The Honorable Robert S. Wertz, Loudoun County Commissioner of Revenue; Leesburg Vice Mayor, Kevin D. Wright; and Dawn Eilenberger, NWFCU Board Secretary.

Northwest Federal Credit Union - www.nwfcu.org - 703-709-8900 - 1-800-336-3384 Toll-Free

Northwest Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution ranking among the largest credit unions in Virginia and in the top 100 credit unions in the nation. Established in 1947 and headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, Northwest Federal is dedicated to providing financial services and education to its members and the community. The Credit Union currently serves more than 100,000 members and has assets in excess of $2 billion. For more information, visit www.nwfcu.org.

SOURCE Northwest Federal Credit Union