NATCHITOCHES – ANECA Federal Credit is honoring the memory of a past board member by creating a scholarship in his name to be presented to a student pursuing an accounting degree through Northwestern State University’s School of Business.
The ANECA Federal Credit Union – Joe Sepulvado Scholarship is an annual award of $1,000 that will be presented to an entering or currently enrolled student from Caddo, Bossier or DeSoto Parish. The recipient must be a full-time student and maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average.
The Sepulvado family joined representatives of Northwestern State and ANECA in announcing the scholarship at the ANECA Bossier City branch on July 11.
“We know how much Joe loved NSU and he was one of the most sincere, genuine people you could ever meet,” said NSU President Dr. Chris Maggio. “This scholarship means so much to us. From here on, a student will earn a scholarship with the Sepulvado name.”
“Joe loved you guys and he loved Chris [Maggio],” said Sepulvado’s widow Wilna. “He was always looking for a way to mentor and this is one way to do it.”
Sepulvado was born in Converse and graduated from Zwolle High school in 1967. He graduated from Northwestern State in 1971 as a double major in accounting and business administration. He began his career as a junior auditor for the Pennzoil Company. In 1974, he joined the internal audit staff for Arkla, Inc. and progressed through various supervisory positions until he was named Audit Manager in 1981. In 1984, he was elected officer with Arkla Exploration’s Executive team, working as their controller with responsibilities for both the Accounting and Information Systems departments. After the Arkla/Seagull Energy merger in 1992, he continued on as the Regional Accounting Manager for this area. In 1995, he joined Nelson Energy working first as their treasurer and then becoming their vice president and chief financial officer in 2009 until his passing. In his spare time, he played a vital leadership role in his wife’s accounting company, Sepulvado Consulting Group, and his daughter’s staffing firm, Elite Health Solutions.
Friends described Sepulvado’s love of work and mentoring others in business as well as the respect he held with area business leaders. He was a Certified Public Accountant, a Certified Internal Auditor and a Global Management Accountant. He was an active member of several civic organizations including Barksdale’s Military Affairs Council, the American Institute of Public Accountants, the Louisiana Society of CPAs, the Arklatex Chapter of Petroleum Accountants, the Petroleum Club, the Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus. He was also a founding member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church and an active member at First United Methodist Church of Shreveport.
In 2009, Sepulvado was inducted into Northwestern State University’s Hall of Distinction for the School of Business. He served as former President and member of the Arklatex chapter of Internal Auditors and was a past board member of both ANECA Federal Credit Union and the Louisiana Oil and Gas Museum. He passed away Aug. 20, 2017.
Lynn Lyles, also a Northwestern State graduate and member of the NSU’s School of Business Hall of Distinction, spoke on behalf of the ANECA Board of Directors, which he chairs.
“Joe was a classmate of mine,” Lyles said. “Northwestern State was very special to him. We want to touch students from the area who need help. We loved Joe.”
NSU is one of five regional institutions to benefit from scholarships created by ANECA.
For information on contributing to the ANECA Federal Credit Union – Joe Sepulvado Scholarship in memory of Sepulvado or for information on establishing a scholarship, call (318) 357-4414 or visit northwesternalumni.com.
