9. Kirk Kordeleski

Last year we wrote that Kordeleski was redefining the model of a banker. This proved to be more prophetic than any of us could have foreseen, as the entire banking system has essentially collapsed around us since then. Kordeleski has not only continued to guide BFCU with an iron will and steady hand, he has kept in touch with the community and risen to prominence in several respected leadership positions across the Island. One such example was his decision to back the highly successful BFCU New York Air Show at Jones Beach, which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to what has become the marquee event on LI. But Kordeleski eschews the limelight, unlike many of the glory seekers in his profession, opting instead to put the identity of his credit union first and letting its success speak for itself. In many ways, he is a throwback to a time when companies were built for generations not yet born.