Dupaco Credit Union President and CEO Joe Hearn has been named Credit Union Executive Society Outstanding Chief Executive, one of the credit union industry’s highest individual honors.
The award recognizes a CEO who demonstrates visionary leadership, organizational transformation, strong advocacy for the credit union movement and an unwavering commitment to members, employees and community impact. CUES selects its Outstanding Chief Executive based on a leader’s ability to strengthen their organization, champion people development, drive sustainable innovation and meaningfully improve member financial well-being.
“Joe leads with unparalleled expertise and a big heart,” said Ellen Goodmann Miller, Dupaco Credit Union board chair. “Under his direction, Dupaco has become a beacon of opportunity, equity and community building across Iowa and beyond.”
Hearn has led the financial cooperative since 2012. During that time, the credit union experienced sustained growth, with membership increasing from 68,000 to more than 179,000, assets expanding from $1.06 billion to $3.5 billion, and Dupaco’s service area broadening from 28 to 118 counties.
Hearn’s community-focused vision has created lasting impact beyond the credit union’s financial growth. In 2025, Dupaco employees contributed 6,136 volunteer hours, many utilizing the credit union’s volunteer time-off benefit to support organizations important to them. He also championed the rehabilitation of the Dupaco Voices Building, transforming a once-deteriorated historic structure into a modern operations center that now serves as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization.
Under Hearn’s leadership, Dupaco continues to invest in its people and members. In 2025, the credit union delivered 226 employee training sessions totaling more than 16,000 hours, reinforcing a culture of continuous learning and professional growth. Dupaco’s emphasis on expert monitoring, member education and advanced technology helped prevent more than $10.5 million in potential member fraud losses in 2025 alone.
“Joe’s superpower is empowering people—he creates a place where employees thrive, where members are truly seen, and where purpose drives every decision,” Goodmann Miller said. “It is truly an honor to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.”
Hearn is a nationally respected industry leader and a Certified Chief Executive through CUES. He has chaired both the Iowa Credit Union League and CUES, and in 2019 was inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame for lifetime service to the credit union movement.
The CUES Outstanding Chief Executive Award was presented to Hearn at the CUES Symposium on Feb. 2.
Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque. The credit union serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by 10 Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 178,000 with assets exceeding $3.5 billion. The credit union has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations.
