CU4Kids Influencer Highlight: Tony Boutelle

The credit union industry relies on the collaboration and support of not just financial institutions, but industry partners and vendors as well. Sharing industry knowledge and insights is a pleasure and privilege for many individuals who have been in the credit union space for 20+ years. Origence, a Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO) that provides integrated origination technology solutions that transform the lending experience, is led by President & CEO, Tony Boutelle. Boutelle has over 30 years of industry experience and is no stranger to the positive impact credit unions have on our communities. Fortunately for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMN Hospitals) and Credit Unions for Kids (CU4Kids), Boutelle is also no stranger to the mission and vision of changing kid’s health to change the future.

Support of CMN Hospitals and CU4Kids

Most individuals in the credit union industry can agree that we’re better when we all come together. Boutelle and the team at Origence demonstrate this as the organizer of one of the biggest credit union industry fundraising events of the year. The California/Nevada Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction started in 2006, raising almost $120,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Over time, the event has grown raising over $1 million each of the past 10 years. The event, which just celebrated 19 years, brought in a total of $1.85 million dollars this year. “Key factors to the success of this event are highlighting the work that CMN Hospitals do and the generosity of our credit unions and industry partners,” stated Boutelle when asked how the event continues to grow and be successful year over year. Through the support of event sponsors, 100% of funds raised go directly to CMN member hospitals in California and Nevada. Boutelle sits on the event’s Executive Committee along with CEOs representing each of the CMN Hospitals. Through the Credit Unions for Kids Wine Auction, Origence has helped raise over $16 million for CMN Hospitals over the past 19 years.

Children’s Hospital of Orange County

One of the hospitals that benefits from the generosity of credit unions and industry partners with Origence is Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC). CHOC is a CMN member hospital committed to being a leading destination for children’s health by providing exceptional and innovative care. Over two million children across four counties in California count on CHOC to be there when they need it most. Boutelle, who served on the CHOC Foundation Board from 2017 to 2023, has a daughter who was treated at CHOC on multiple occasions. Paris Boutelle, who is a thriving young adult studying at the University of Arizona obtaining a degree in Psychology, hopes to help those who are struggling with mental health issues. After one of her stays at CHOC, Paris wrote a poem to help communicate what she was feeling at the time and that poem is now used to inspire other children who are patients at CHOC. Poem below.

Industry Support

Aside from managing the Wine Auction each year, Origence is honored to support several CU4Kids fundraisers in the United States, including Miracle Jeans Day, In the Cellar wine auction, the Northwest Golf Classic, and many more.

Pictured above is Tony Boutelle with Melody, 2024 U.S. Local Hospital Champion at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Boutelle began his career at the Colorado Credit Union League in 1985 and continued his career with the California Credit Union League and then CUNA Mutual Group. When Boutelle returned to the California Credit Union League in 1994, he started CU Direct Corporation—now Origence. Origence is celebrating 30 years this year and has grown to be one of the nation’s leading lending technology solutions and services provider for credit unions. “As an industry, it’s important to support philanthropic activities, including aligning our brand with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. The hospitals connect us to the youth of the communities – leaning into children’s health and the importance of collaboration to make a difference,” stated Boutelle when asked why being involved with CMN Hospitals and CU4Kids is important to his organization.

Pictured above is Bill Cheney, President and CEO of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Greg Mitchell, President and CEO of FirstTech Federal Credit Union and Tony Boutelle, President and CEO or Origence.

AN INSIDE LOOK

By Paris Boutelle