FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. – William “Bill” Rone, Chairman of Eglin Federal Credit Union’s Board of Directors, has been inducted into the Defense Credit Union Council’s Hall of Honor.
Rone was inducted into the Hall of Honor at the Defense Credit Union Council’s annual conference held in San Antonio, Texas, on Aug. 4, 2022, Eglin Federal Credit Union (EFCU) has announced.
“I am very proud to be inducted into the Defense Credit Union Council’s Hall of Honor,” said Rone.
“As a 50-year member of Eglin Federal Credit Union and a member of the Board of Directors since 1979, I believe EFCU epitomizes our motto, Where Members Matter Most. It’s been my pleasure to serve the members and employees of Eglin Federal Credit Union.”
The Defense Credit Union is a trade association representing over 180 nonprofit defense credit unions with over 30 million members and $400 billion in assets, EFCU said.
Rone is one of three honorees selected from a competitive field of nominees by the Hall of Honor Selection Committee. They were selected for their impressive history of service and dedication to their military and veteran communities and are part of a history of excellence that exemplifies what it means to be a defense credit union, the council said.
Rone has served on the EFCU board of directors for 38 years, using his experience of over 42 years in DOD federal service to improve members’ lives, said EFCU.
According to a statement by EFCU, Rone advanced from a GS-04 civilian cooperative education trainee on Eglin Air Force Base to a member of the DOD senior executive service as senior civilian and comptroller for Air Force Special Operations Command.
He was recognized with Presidential Meritorious Rank the first year he was eligible for the honor. His career took him to Washington DC for a one-year senior military school, four years on Robin Air Force Base, and two years with Naval Aviation Depot in Pensacola.
EFCU said Rone is an expert in all areas of financial management. With both base credit union and bank liaison experience, he served and supported hundreds of thousands of active duty, reserve, Air National Guard, and civilian professionals throughout his career.
Rone has attended many DCUC conferences, including in an official capacity, where he presented the Air Force Credit Union of the Year Award and led the Air Force breakout sessions. He has also served as both president and vice president of chapters of the American Society of Military Comptrollers and is a lifetime member.
Rone is a member of the University of West Florida Foundation Board of Directors and a Director Emeritus of the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, where he served over a decade as treasurer. He is also the executive financial advisor for the Air Commando Association and a trustee for its Foundation.
As a member of the Santa Rosa Creek Indian tribe, Rone volunteers as a financial advisor to the tribal council and chief.
“I’d like to thank Bill for the 38 years he has served on our Board, including eight years as Chairman and seven years as Vice Chairman,” said EFCU CEO and President Jerry Williams.
“We appreciate his commitment to our local community and our Credit Union. Bill’s laser focus on meeting the needs of the Air Force to accomplish the mission and developing people in his ‘day job’ was equaled by his dedication to the credit union movement. He is always ready to lead or assist as needed, making him a perfect fit for the DCUC Hall of Honor Award.”
The DCUC Hall of Honor was established in 2000 as a means of recognizing those individuals whose exceptional contributions over the years have made a significant difference to DCUC and the defense credit union community.
The prestigious award highlights the outstanding accomplishments of leaders, volunteers, management, and staff alike, whose efforts and endless support of the credit union movement and DCUC epitomize the Council’s values and philosophy of “Serving Those Who Serve Our Country,” the council said.
“These three honorees represent what the DCUC is all about, serving our military and veteran communities and providing extraordinary financial services that help them build their financial wellness. I’m in awe of their great leadership and am proud to honor their accomplishments,” said Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO.
EFCU was recently named Florida’s Credit Union of the Year by the League of Southeastern Credit Union and Affiliates. EFCU was also proud to be named the Large Business of the Year by the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce and was awarded the Corporate Business of the Year by the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce.
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