Governance

Mr. Hughes is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA).  He has practiced as an auditor for almost 20 years.  Throughout his career, he has been engaged in the fields of audit, fraud investigation and internal control review, property taxation, finance and financial management.  Mr. Hughes has worked in public accounting, management consulting, and has taught in the areas of audit, internal control and finance in private industry and both federal and municipal governments.  Mr. Hughes is a Certified Fraud Examiner and has also earned an MBA, a Bachelor of Commerce and an ICD.D.

John Lister           
Director

Mr. Lister is a retired IT executive from a local engineering firm where he spent close to 30 years as an employee/share owner. A graduate from Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology as an Engineering Technician/Draughtsman he started as a Mechanical Technician at a time when electronic CADD (computer aided/assisted draughting and design) was being adopted in place of pencil and draughting boards.  With the acquisition of more computers and equipment he formed the firm's IT department which grew to support four offices across Ontario.  The firm was sold to a National multi-discipline engineering firm where John assumed the Senior IT lead for the province of Ontario servicing over 34 offices across the province.  John went on to head the National IT Coordination Office overseeing the IT standards, equipment and services used nationally.  When the firm purchased a Global engineering firm with offices in nearly every country John was moved to the position of National Change Control Manager which oversees changes and mitigates risks stemming from those changes to all IT systems, equipment and services.  In that role he worked closely with upper management both internationally and nationally.  John is no stranger to high level meetings, working on multiple committees with board members and colleagues, both as a member and the occasional chair over the course of his career.  John has volunteered for several charitable organizations over the years, developing and maintaining websites for a few.He now spends his time perfecting his golf swing, or in his shop creating assorted woodworking projects with an emphasis on pen turning.

Brian Keen
Director

Brian has been a member of the Credit Union since 2007.  His association with credit unions began much earlier, in 1981, as the engagement audit partner of a number of credit unions in Cornwall.  Brian has seen the benefits of membership personally and with numerous businesses and individuals that he has had the opportunity to refer to the credit union.

Brian is retired after thirty-five years as a partner in a Cornwall public accounting firm.  He joined the YCU Board of Directors in 2015 and serves on the audit and nominating committees.

Brian is past chair and treasurer of Laurencrest Youth Services Inc. and is past treasurer and charter member of the Sunrise Rotary Club of Cornwall. 

Brian has assisted smaller charities, specifically those with minimum funding, with financial planning, accounting assistance and government compliance.

Brian recognizes the significant support the credit union provides to the community.  He also appreciates the financing and investment options YCU provides to individuals and businesses. He continues to promote YCU as an excellent choice to serve the financial needs of both personal and commercial members.

Michael Nauth
Director

My name is Michael Nauth, and as a member serving on the Board of Directors of Your Credit Union, I am pleased to work with like-minded individuals who are intent on safeguarding the interests of members and of the broader community. I listen attentively to the other directors at our meetings and I am gaining in knowledge and understanding of the workings of the Credit Union.

I am a carpenter, and most of my work has been Construction-related, building or Teaching or developing curriculum in Construction. I have been a Professor at Algonquin College for the past 30 years, and I have a BSc in Mathematics from Carleton and an MEd in Administration and Policy from St FX. I have volunteered as a crew leader for Habitat for Humanity, in Ottawa and abroad. I have worked overseas in Wood-Frame House construction in Russia, China, and Dominica. Closer to home, I have built for Daybreak Housing, Gracefield Camp and St. Andrews Ottawa. I have taught Carpentry to the First Nations bands in Maniwaki, Rapid Lake, and Mistassini.

I am the father of four sons, step-father of two daughters, and grandfather of a six-year old grandson and a four-year old granddaughter. Our family has lived in Ottawa for over 40 years.

Greg Walker 
Director 

Mr. Walker is an accomplished research and business operations professional with many years of experience in science research and strategic business planning for non-profit and Fortune 500 companies.  His skill set includes biomedical science and building science research, project management, financial forecasting, sales and marketing, contract negotiations, and personnel management. Mr. Walker has worked directly with senior management (Directors, Vice Presidents, and CEOs) at various organizations including government research agencies, universities, hospitals, engineering firms, and private sector companies.  He has also been a guest speaker at several industry conferences throughout North America and the world. Mr. Walker holds a BA. and BSc. from the University of Windsor and an MSc. from Dalhousie University, and currently resides in Ottawa, Ontario.   

Terry Otto 
Director 

Terry has just completed his first year on the Board. He has lived in rural Ottawa since 1973 with his wife Susan, and has operated a small farm as well as having worked in the farm equipment business for many years. 

He brings to the Board a broad background and experience in the coop sector, having been involved in it since 1974 in various capacities. He has also served on different boards and committees for Ottawa, South Nation Conservation Authority, and the provincial and federal governments. 

Terry believes that one has to be involved in the community to make it better and encourages members to get involved.

Russell Abraham
Director

My name is Russell Abraham and I thank the Board in approving my application to be a candidate for a position on the Board of Directors. I am currently the Business Services Manager at the Cornwall Public Library where I am responsible for human resources, leadership and culture, scheduling, payroll, finances, project management and facilities. It is a large portfolio and I enjoy the variety of tasks in which I can learn. I am currently completing my MBA majoring in Innovative Leadership and the strengths that I bring are:

• My knowledge in my areas of expertise.

• My patience and willingness to collaborate that allows for proper dialogue and win-win results.

• My desire to help.

I thoroughly enjoy helping people through my time with the United Way Centraide of SD&G, at my parish, at my children’s school or through the work that Cornwall Public Library does to provide safe, inclusive spaces and resources to everyone. The part of mission of Your Credit Union is to help its members by providing services and products that align with their needs and expectations.

I will have plenty to learn but I know I have plenty to teach and offer to the Board as well.

Chris Cobb
Director

Chris is a multi-award winning Canadian journalist, author and communications specialist. He has led many workshops and seminars for journalists across the Commonwealth. He has served as a national election observer in Kenya, Uganda and The Gambia and has travelled extensively throughout Africa and Asia on numerous journalistic and communications-related assignments.

His awards include the Michener-Deacon Fellowship, awarded annually by the Governor General; and National Newspaper Awards for Business, Sport and Feature writing.

He has diplomas in ‘Communications in the Digital Age’ (University of Toronto) Public Relations Brand Building: Communications Professional Certificate (Poynter Institute of Media Studies, St Petersburg, Fla.) Intercultural Communications from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland.

He has authored two books and co-authored a third.

Latterly, Chris has been working on a series of communications advisory and writing contracts with the federal government and an Ottawa area accounting firm.

He has worked for the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA), the Department of Finance, the Department of National Defence Ombudsman, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Employment and Social Development among others.

Chris has been a Credit Union member for 30 years, originally joining at the now closed Ottawa Citizen branch.

Rick DeBenetti
Director

Rick’s professional experience includes 30 years working in the Federal Government primarily in the real property field.  He was the Director General - Operations with Public Works and Government Services Canada (now Public Service and Procurement Canada) responsible for real property operations in the National Capital Area. 

In this role, he was responsible for the provision of property management, project management and asset management services for a portfolio of 4.0 million m2 of office and special purpose space.  Rick was responsible for a budget of $1.4 Billion, a team of 9 directors and 1,100 employees.

Prior to that, Rick was the Director General of Corporate Services with Public Works and Government Services Canada, providing procurement services, materiel management and facilities management services for internal PWGSC client sectors.

Since leaving the Federal Government in 2008, he has been self-employed as the owner of North Star Property Services providing consulting and contracting services.

His career with the Federal Government has provided him with extensive experience managing large organizations, budgets, and human resources in a unionized environment.

He also has extensive experience in client relations, organizational planning (financial, human, operational), and dealing with legal counsel (contractual and HR disputes).