September 22, 2025
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Royal Credit Union (Royal) is proud to announce that President and CEO Brandon Riechers and his wife, Emily Riechers, have been selected to receive the 2025 Blugold Spirit Award from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire Alumni Association.
The Blugold Spirit Award recognizes alumni who demonstrate excellence, generosity and a deep commitment to UW–Eau Claire and the community.
“Brandon and Emily have been campus advocates throughout their lives in the Chippewa Valley,” said Julia Diggins, Vice President of Development at UW-Eau Claire. “They are active supporters of students, staff, athletics and the entire UWEC community, generous with both their time and resources. And even better, they met at Homecoming and here they are celebrating all these years later — it’s a perfect time to honor their love of all things Blugold.”
Brandon Riechers holds two bachelor's degrees and a master's degree from UW–Eau Claire and has dedicated nearly 30 years to Royal, leading the credit union with vision, integrity and a strong belief in giving back. Under his leadership, Royal has grown to serve more than 300,000 members with more than $5 billion in assets. In addition to guiding Royal, Riechers has served on the UW–Eau Claire Foundation and Alumni Association boards, supported the university’s internship program and played an active role in advancing community partnerships across the Chippewa Valley.
Emily Riechers, a nurse practitioner at Mayo Clinic Health System – Eau Claire, has been recognized for her trailblazing contributions in healthcare and for her support of students and future healthcare providers.
They will be honored during the university’s 100th Homecoming celebration this October. Brandon and Emily will be recognized at a Foundation dinner on Oct. 3 and will serve as grand marshals for the Homecoming parade on Oct. 4.
“I am honored to receive the Blugold Spirit Award alongside Emily,” Brandon said. “To be recognized together during the university’s 100th Homecoming celebration makes this especially meaningful for our family. We’re grateful for the lifelong friendships and opportunities UW–Eau Claire has given us and are proud to continue supporting the next generation of Blugolds.”
Royal congratulates Brandon and Emily on this recognition and celebrates their commitment to making a positive impact on UW–Eau Claire and the broader community.
To learn more about the Riechers’ contributions to UW–Eau Claire, visit https://www.uwec.edu/stories/brandon-and-emily-riechers-receive-2025-blugold-spirit-award
About Royal Credit Union
Royal Credit Union is a federally insured credit union proudly serving over 300,000 Members in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Royal is driven by a core ideology built on a strong purpose and values. You can open an account or apply for a low-rate loan at Royal Credit Union if you live or work in 26 counties in western Wisconsin or 16 counties in Minnesota. Counties served in Wisconsin include Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Lincoln, Marathon, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Washburn, and Wood. Counties served in Minnesota include Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Olmsted, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Wabasha, Washington, Winona and Wright. A complete list of Member eligibility requirements is available on the Royal Credit Union website. To learn more about Royal, visit rcu.org or call 800-341-9911.
