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Celebrating Champions: NCOFCU's Annual Awards

Judy Delucca Honored as the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions Inc (NCOFCU) "Lifetime Achievement Award"



Key West, Florida, 9/25/25 – The National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions, Inc. (NCOFCU) is proud to announce that Judy Delucca, CEO of the New Orleans Firemen's Federal Credit Union, was honored with the NCOFCU "Lifetime Achievement Award".

Today, under her leadership, New Orleans Firemen’s Federal Credit Union has grown to 11 branch locations across southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi. It has been recognized as a Best Place to Work and a Best Credit Union for four consecutive years. The credit union now offers a comprehensive range of financial products, including checking accounts, mortgages, credit cards, IRAs, and more. As a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), it remains dedicated to serving the 35 parishes of underserved and underbanked communities, as well as over 500 select employee groups, while continuing its deep-rooted commitment to the New Orleans Fire Department and firefighters across the state.

A director of the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions Inc (NCOFCU), Judy's unwavering dedication has significantly contributed to the growth of credit unions serving first responders nationwide, said David Lantrip, NCOFCU Chairman. We are honored to recognize Judy with this award, which reflects not only Judy’s hard work but also her passion for making a difference.”

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John Cowin Honored as the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions Inc (NCOFCU) Volunteer of the Year: A Beacon of Commitment and Leadership


Key West, Florida, 9/25/25 – The National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions, Inc. (NCOFCU) is proud to announce that John Cowin has been named the Volunteer of the Year for his exemplary service to the Syracuse Fire Department Credit Union and the broader community. With a remarkable 40 years of dedicated service on the board of the credit union, including 22 years as Chairman, John's steadfast leadership has been instrumental in navigating the organization through significant growth and development.

John’s incredible journey in public service extends beyond the credit union. He served the Syracuse Fire Department for 31 years, famously holding the role of Chief for eight impactful years. His legacy of dedication continues to resonate, as he has devoted countless hours to various community organizations, including the Onondaga/Oswego chapter of the American Red Cross, the Everson Museum of Art, and the Onondaga Historical Association.

A director and founding member of the National Council of Firefighter Credit Unions Inc (NCOFCU), John exemplifies commitment with an impressive attendance record, having missed only one meeting in 25 years due to a family loss. His unwavering dedication has significantly contributed to the growth of firefighter credit unions nationwide.

“John Cowin is not just a leader; he embodies the spirit of service and community,” said David Lantrip, NCOFCU Chairman. “His contributions have profoundly impacted our organization and the credit unions we serve. We are honored to recognize him with this award, which reflects not only his hard work but also his passion for making a difference.”

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