Arlington, VA (June 15, 2017) —Charles E. Snyder, National Cooperative Bank’s President and CEO was awarded the 2017 Esther Peterson Consumer Service Award at the Consumer Federation of America’s forty- seventh annual awards dinner held on June 14, 2017 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, DC.
The award was presented by Martin Lowery, Executive Vice President, External Affairs for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and NCB Board Chair. The Esther Peterson Consumer Service Award recognizes those individuals who are strong advocates for consumer rights and make a positive impact in communities.
Esther Peterson was one of the leading figures in American public life in the twentieth century. She was a tireless and effective champion of the rights of women, workers, and consumers, and her advocacy as the highest-ranking woman official in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations changed the lives of every American.
“I’m extremely honored and humbled to receive the Esther Peterson award,” said Mr. Snyder. “Esther Peterson was such a strong advocate of consumer, labor and women’s rights and always emphasized doing the right thing and making an impact. I have been very fortunate to have found the consumer and cooperative movement and that has given me a sense of purpose- of doing the right thing and it has greatly enriched my life.”
“Chuck has devoted himself to building a relevant, sophisticated and thriving financial institution that focuses on the cooperative principles and values,” stated Mr. Lowery. “Those values are demonstrated by Chuck and his staff every single day in their lending practices – self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equity, equality and solidarity.”
Since joining NCB in 1983, Mr. Snyder has played a transformational role in navigating the Bank through its early years, and throughout its evolution into the complex and successful financial institution it is today. Mr. Snyder helped the Bank maintain its commitment to socially-responsible banking, and has been instrumental in other leadership roles for the cooperative sector.
For 34 years and through numerous economic cycles, Mr. Snyder has led the Bank and its affiliates through challenging times while at the same time strengthening existing cooperatives and nourishing new market development.
As a strong and vocal advocate for consumers, cooperative values and principles, Mr. Snyder has consistently looked for opportunities to advance cooperatives in all sectors and has risen to their defense when cooperatives and their business model have been threatened. He has served for many years on the boards of the Consumer Federation of America and the National Cooperative Business Association, which inducted him into the Cooperative Hall of Fame in 2012.
