Adam D. Schwartz
CUDE
Adam D. Schwartz is the founder and principal of The Cooperative Way a consulting firm dedicated to improving the operations of cooperatives by utilizing the seven cooperative principles and to solving cooperatives needs for capital. He has served cooperatives from different sectors for 20 years and has extensive knowledge of the key ingredients that lead to sustainable success for cooperative businesses.
He has provided strategic guidance to purchasing co-ops and credit unions on how to grow membership and provide better service. He has worked with electric and agricultural co-ops on outreach and legislative consulting to improve grassroots involvement and impact.
The Cooperative Way’s Services include:
- The seven steps to build or restore a cooperative culture within your organization
- The role your credit union can play in rebuilding your local economy
- How to grow your business through strategic alliances
Schwartz, a frequent speaker and author on cooperative business, appeared on MSNBC and CNN news programs to promote cooperatives as the better business model for economic and social change. Please see links at end of bio for video clips.
Prior to founding The Cooperative Way, Adam served as vice president for public affairs and member services from 2005-2011 for the National Cooperative Business Association, the only national cross-sector member association with a mission of developing, protecting and advancing cooperative businesses. His responsibilities included public policy, communications and strategic alliances.
Schwartz’s background in lobbying and public policy was critical in convincing Congress to fund the first-ever in-depth research project on the economic impact of cooperatives, conducted by the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives. Schwartz leverages his extensive cooperative network to create marketing collateral, training and articles to convey the strategic advantages cooperatives enjoy in the marketplace.
Prior to his service at NCBA, Schwartz served as Vice President of External Affairs for the National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative in Herndon, Va. From 1992-2001, Schwartz was a senior legislative representative for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in Washington, DC where he also represented the interests of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation a $20 billion co-op finance organization.
Schwartz previously served on the board of the American league of Lobbyists and other non-profit organizations. He has also worked for the National Council of Savings Institutions and the National Association of Home Builders in Washington. He has a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Oneonta and completed all course work for a master’s degree from The George Washington University School of International Affairs. In 2011, he completed the Credit Union Developers Education program and received his CUDE designation. An avid hockey enthusiast, Schwartz resides in Springfield, Virginia with his two teenage daughters.
The Cooperative Way is dedicated to assisting cooperatives from all sectors to gain the maximum advantage from their cooperative structure in the increasingly diverse marketplace where value and purpose are as important as price. The firm also commits significant resources to establishing an investment fund that will be eligible for 401(k) retirement plans and will invest exclusively in cooperatively owned businesses.