MCU PRESIDENT/CEO KAM WONG HONORED
- AT AAARI AWARDS BANQUET
-
December 7, 2010, Brooklyn, NY - Municipal Credit Union (MCU) President/CEO Kam Wong was given the CUNY Distinguished Asian American Alumni Award at the 9th Annual Asian American/Asian Research Institute (AAARI) Banquet. The AAARI, which is a CUNY-wide scholarly research and resource center that focuses on policies and issues that affect Asians and Asian Americans, felt Mr. Wong was the perfect candidate to receive this prestigious award.
"Mr. Wong serves as a role model, and a reminder to the immigrant and first generation college students that City University of New York has educated for decades that hard work and the desire to learn can propel you to success and a better life for you and your family,"said Joyce Moy, Executive Director of AAARI. This feeling was quite evident at the event when large groups of students, who were part of the over 400 in attendance, took time to meet with Mr. Wong and ask questions about how his CUNY education helped him reach his personal and professional goals.
Mr. Wong's journey from Hong Kong to his current position as President/CEO of MCU resulted in this prominent recognition. Mr. Wong, who immigrated with his family to the United States at the age of nineteen, began his career in accounting positions at Banco de Brasil and Chase Manhattan Bank after graduating from Baruch College. He began his career at MCU in 1981, and became MCU's Chief Financial Officer in 1988. He became the credit union's President in 2006, and one year later was named Chief Executive Officer. His impressive resume, along with his positive impact in the New York community embodied the spirit of the award, which according to Moy "is presented to an outstanding CUNY alumnus or alumnae who has not only achieved success in his or her chosen field of endeavor, but has also demonstrated a commitment to society and community through service, the causes supported or philanthropy."
When asked about what the award means to him, Wong stated that "I am honored to be recognized by AAARI. At the same time, I feel humbled in comparison to AAARI's contributions to our diverse society. During the Banquet, I had the opportunity to meet some of the CUNY students who attended the function; we share our pride of the quality academia we received. We must perpetuate this kind of award and recognition to inspire our future leaders in both private and public sectors. With the ever changing business models, the cultivation of our young men and women is paramount in order to maintain our country's competitive advantages in the global market and economy. "
Mr. Wong, who has also earned his MBA in finance from Dowling College, is a Certified Management Accountant and a Certified Financial Manager as designated by the Institute of Certified Management Accountants. He currently resides in Elmont, New York, with his wife Ruby, and has two sons.
About Municipal Credit Union
Municipal Credit Union (MCU) is the oldest credit union in New York State and one of the oldest and largest in the country. Established in 1916 and headquartered in New York City, today MCU has assets of over $1.6 billion and offers a full range of financial services to over 320,000 members. With branches in New York City, Westchester and Long Island, members also have access to the credit union's large and growing ATM network. Eligibility to open accounts at MCU is available to New York City and Yonkers municipal employees; state and federal employees who work in the five boroughs; health care professionals who work in New York State; members of select industry groups; employees of private colleges in New York City and private and public colleges in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester; certain family members, and qualifying retirees. MCU is an equal opportunity lender and deposits are federally insured to at least $250,000 by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), a U.S. government agency. For more information about Municipal Credit Union, visit www.nymcu.org.
