Featuring Anthony Hernandez, CEO of Defense Credit Union Council Story by Liesel Schmidt | Photography Courtesy of DCUC
They say that behind every great man there is a great woman, and the truth of that statement is something that Anthony Hernandez certainly seems to embrace. A retired USAF Colonel with 25 years of active duty service in his pocket, his current role as President and CEO of the Defense Credit Union Council is one he credits not solely to his own merits—numerous and compelling though they may be—but also to the connections afforded him by his wife’s career at DCUC. “My selection as CEO was the result of a very competitive process,” says 51 yearold Hernandez. “I competed against some very qualified finalists who are still serving in senior DoD positions. However, I believe that it was taking advantage of the abundance of opportunities provided by my wife’s career and her credit union industry connections that made all the difference. During the 16 years that she worked for DCUC, I was fortunate to attend several DCUC events as her ‘plus one,’” he explains. “Instead of sleeping in or playing golf, I attended DCUC meetings and spent a great deal of time with DCUC’s member CEOs and their boards of directors. My wife also introduced me to the DCUC Board of Directors, and over the years I gained a deep understanding of DCUC’s mission. This is what made me want to join the organization. This also helped me articulate a clear vision during my CEO interview and led to the creation
of our strategy for moving the organization forward. I strongly believe these touch points made all the difference in my selection over the other finalists,” he contends. “I continue to treasure my wife’s work with DCUC, and it has taught me the importance of never discounting your spouse’s connections—ever!” he laughs. Credit to those connections aside, it was the strength of his principles, his discipline, and his leadership skills that were the deciding factor in selecting him for such a highly authoritative position within the organization. And it could well be said that it was his career in the military that molded him into the man that he is today. “I learned humility, discipline, and how to plan and execute missions in addition to developing my leadership skills during my military career, and it took me out of my hometown and exposed me to a bigger world,” says the former New Mexico native. “When I think about where we were, where we have been, and where we are now, I am amazed and thankful for the experience gained along with all the memories.” Where he is now is certainly impressive, especially when one considers the scope of what DCUC does. Created in 1963, it has since grown to include more than 25 million memberships and FEBRUARY 2020 • 19