Recent Announcements

The CA/NV Credit Union Leagues Select Diana Dykstra as New CEO

Memphis Area Teachers Credit Union Selects Daniel Weickenand as Its New CEO

O'Rourke & Associates to Orchestrate Search for the CU Association of Colorado

O'Rourke & Associates to Orchestrate Search for CA/NV CU League

Stanford FCU Selects Joan Opp as Its New President/CEO

Thomas Johnson to Replace Steven Dahlstrom at Spokane Teachers' CU Helm

South Carolina Credit Union League Announces New CEO

Envision Credit Union Announces New CEO

THE CALIFORNIA AND NEVADA CREDIT UNION LEAGUES SELECT DIANA DYKSTRA AS THEIR NEW CEO

Diana Dykstra has been named the new president/CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, the organizations announced today. She will begin her new role Oct. 18.

Dykstra succeeds Bill Cheney, who was selected in May to become the president/CEO of the Credit Union National Association. Former president/CEO Dave Chatfield has served as the leagues’ interim president/CEO since July 6.

“The league conducted an extensive search for candidates whose breadth of credit union experience is best suited to lead the leagues in moving forward as we address the current and future challenges in our two states,” said CCUL Board Chairman Jeff York, CEO of CoastHills FCU. “Diana was highly recommended by the search committee, and unanimously approved by the League Executive Committee and Board of Directors.”

A widely recognized credit union leader with more than 30 years experience in the financial services industry, Dykstra has served as president/CEO of the $670 million San Francisco Fire Credit Union since August 2004.

“I am very excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as president/CEO of the California and Nevada Leagues,” Dykstra said. “I look forward to working with the boards of both leagues and our outstanding staff to meet the needs of our member credit unions today and in the years ahead.”

Diana Dykstra has been named the new president/CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, the organizations announced today. She will begin her new role Oct. 18.

MEMPHIS AREA TEACHERS' CU SELECTS DANIEL WEICKENAND AS NEW CEO

The Memphis Area Teachers’ Credit Union today announced the appointment of Daniel Weickenand as MATCU’s new chief executive officer effective Aug. 16.

Weickenand, chief financial officer of the FedEx Employees Credit Association, was recruited after a year-long, nationwide executive search led by the executive search firm O’Rourke & Associates of San Francisco, MATCU said.

“After a very thorough interview process of a number of candidates, we are pleased to have selected an individual who not only has extremely strong credentials in the credit union industry, but whom also has a depth of experience in the Memphis market,” said Dr. Frank Dyer, MATCU board chairman.

Weickenand has more than 20 years of experience in the credit union industry and served as CFO of the FedEx Employees Credit Association for the past decade. He is a native of Houston and a graduate of the University of Texas in San Antonio with a BBA in Accounting and an MBA in Finance/Marketing.

Weickenand succeeds interim CEO Dwight Burgess, who is retiring.

MATCU has more than 50,000 members and is the largest credit union in West Tennessee.

O'ROURKE & ASSOCIATES CHOSEN TO CONDUCT CEO SEARCH FOR THE CREDIT UNION ASSOCIATION OF COLORADO

The Credit Union Association of Colorado said Thursday it has named O’Rourke & Associates, the executive recruiting firm, to conduct the search for a new president/CEO succeeding John Dill, who resigned in May.

The CUAC’s interim CEO, Peter Kirchhof, former CUAC senior vice president of government affairs, is leading the organization during the transition.

“O’Rourke & Associates has a reputation for finding the most committed and talented people for credit union management, and we are confident it will identify and recruit the most capable person to lead the association,” said Michael Williams, chair of CUAC and president/CEO of Colorado CU of Littleton.

A news release noted that, O’Rourke & Associates, based in San Francisco, specializes in executive searches for CU with backing of RSM McGladrey, Inc. and the California Credit Union League.

The CEO search committee is chaired by David Maus, Public Service CU along with committee members Gerry Agnes, Elevations CU; Steve Pearson, Fellowship CU; Sundie Seefried, Eagle Legacy CU; John Uchida, Space Age FCU.

“With selection of the firm complete, the search for a CEO is expected to take several months,” Williams forecast adding “the board will take whatever time it needs to be sure that we find the right person, someone who reflects CUAC’s values and mission,”

The resignation of Dill, a former Washington attorney, came with scant explanation other than the board and Dill agreed that “it was time for a change” in management of the trade group The Credit Union Association of Colorado said Thursday it has named O’Rourke & Associates, the executive recruiting firm, to conduct the search for a new president/CEO succeeding John Dill, who resigned in May.

The CUAC’s interim CEO, Peter Kirchhof, former CUAC senior vice president of government affairs, is leading the organization during the transition.

A news release noted that, O’Rourke & Associates, based in San Francisco, specializes in executive searches for CU with backing of RSM McGladrey, Inc. and the California Credit Union League.

The resignation of Dill, a former Washington attorney, came with scant explanation other than the board and Dill agreed that “it was time for a change” in management of the trade group.

o'rourke and associates to orchestrate ceo search for the california/nevada credit union league

The California/Nevada Credit Union League formally picked a seven-member search committee Monday to recruit a replacement for CEO Bill Cheney, also selecting O’Rourke and Associates of San Francisco as its search firm. The league said it hopes to have a successor to Cheney, the designated new president/CEO of CUNA, by the trade group’s annual meeting and convention Nov. 15-17. Cheney is to assume his CUNA post July 5. “At this time no determination has been made about a potential interim appointment,” the league said in a statement. Top candidates selected from the applicant pool as put together by O’Rourke will be presented to the Executive Committee of the league board for interviews, said the statement. The Executive Committee then will present its recommendation of a finalist to the board for approval. CEO members of the panel from California include: Brett Martinez, Redwood CU, Santa Rosa; Eileen Rivera, SkyOne FCU, Hawthorne; Rudy Hanley, SchoolsFirst FCU, Santa Ana; Jon Hernandez, CalCom FCU, Torrance and also of City of Downey FCU and Mattel FCU, El Segundo. Also on the panel are Ron Seaman, chairman of SAFE Credit Union, North Highlands and from Nevada Wally Murray, CEO of Greater Nevada FCU in Carson City.

congratulations joan opp

STANFORD FCU SELECTS JOAN OPP AS ITS NEW PRESIDENT/CEO

PALO ALTO, CA – Stanford Federal Credit Union announces today it has selected credit union industry veteran Joan Opp as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Opp will assume the post on May 14, 2010. Incumbent John R. Davis is retiring after 14 years with Stanford FCU, during which period the credit union grew from $160 million to over $1 billion in assets.

Ms. Opp brings 15 years of executive level management and accounting experience to Stanford FCU. Since 2002, she has served as Executive Vice President/CFO at Texas Trust Credit Union (TTCU), overseeing accounting, information technology, marketing and business services, as well as three Credit Union Service Organizations (CUSOs), specializing in insurance services, investment services and software development. She chaired TTCU’s Customer Relationship Management, Compliance and ALCO committees, and served as past Chairman of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Credit Union Conferences Committee, where she continues to serve as a committee member. Opp is a member of the AICPA, CUNA, CUES and the CUES CFO Council. Prior to joining the executive team at TTCU, Opp was a partner with the CPA Firm of Clifton Gunderson, LLP, where she provided auditing and consulting services to credit union’s ranging from $2 million to over $2 billion in assets. Opp graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Maryland with a BS, Business Administration (Accounting) degree. In 2009, she achieved the Certified Chief Executive (CCE) designation after graduating from the CUES CEO Institute and is one of the inaugural recipients of the CUES Rising 100 Award. She is married and has two daughters.

Stanford FCU is a $1.1 billion, full-service financial institution, owned and operated by 47,000 members of the Stanford Community. Established in 1959, Stanford FCU serves the employees and students of Stanford University, Stanford Hospital, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center and members of the Palo Alto community.

congratulations THOMAS JOHNSON

Thomas johnson to replace steven dahlstrom at spokane teachers' cu helm

After 30 years at STCU, including 20 years as its president and CEO, Steven L. Dahlstrom will retire at the end of the year.

His replacement is Thomas A. Johnson, who has been STCU’s vice president of administration since 2006 and was an STCU board member for 12 previous years.On Monday, the STCU Board of Directors approved a succession plan promoting Johnson to executive vice president starting May 24. He’ll become president and CEO on January 1, 2011 – the fourth president in STCU’s 76-year history.Johnson served as a vice president at Whitworth University from 1989 through 2006. He was part of the selection committee that recommended Bill Robinson as Whitworth’s president in 1993, a move that helped Whitworth earn a reputation as one of the nation’s outstanding private universities.“Tom is well-known and highly respected,” said Georgia Miller, STCU board chair. “He exemplifies the commitment to community that STCU stands for.”

Our new CEO

Like our founders and many of our board members, Tom Johnson has a background in education. Prior to his years at Whitworth, he was business manager of Cheyenne Mountain Schools in Colorado Springs, Colo., from 1987 to 1989.In 2008, Gov. Chris Gregoire appointed Johnson to the Washington Higher Education Facilities Authority, which helps private colleges obtain tax-exempt bonds for financing building projects. He also serves on the Spokane Public Schools Diversity Advisory Committee.Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in business and industrial administration from the University of Illinois in Urbana, and a master’s of business administration from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY.Johnson’s wife, Ruth Ann, teaches English at Saint George’s School in Spokane. The couple have three grown sons, two daughters-in-law and a granddaughter.Johnson noted that under Dahlstrom’s leadership, STCU has launched several ambitious technological projects that will improve our ability to meet members’ changing needs, both online and in our branches.“STCU will continue to innovate, while never losing sight of the importance of one-on-one relationships,” Johnson said. “Steve managed to strike a balance between the two, and we will continue in that tradition.“We’ll always be the credit union people know and love.”

The Dahlstrom era at STCU

Spokane Teachers Credit Union had one branch when Steve Dahlstrom arrived as assistant manager in April 1980 and two branches when the board appointed him president and CEO in January 1991.Dahlstrom has led STCU through a period of tremendous growth, seeing it become the third-largest credit union in Washington and the 101st largest nationwide. STCU now has 11 branches in Washington and three in Idaho, plus a website that’s busier than any branch.STCU has continued to grow through the recession, with membership increasing 11 percent in 2009 alone. For the fifth consecutive year, readers of the Inlander newspaper recently voted STCU the region’s “best bank/credit union.”Dahlstrom plans to continue his work to strengthen the community, as a board member for Greater Spokane Incorporated, among other activities. However, term limits will require him to step down this year from the Museum of Arts and Culture board of directors, and as chairman of the Eastern Washington University Foundation.“For 30 years, it’s been my pleasure to serve STCU and our members. We’ve built a team that enjoys working together and takes great pride in meeting needs,” Dahlstrom said. “It’s bitter-sweet to leave. Yet, I know the credit union will continue to thrive with Tom.”

Spokane Teachers Credit Union
Founded by educators in 1934, Spokane Teachers Credit Union is a member-owned, non-profit cooperative that delivers financial products and services, such as shared branching, on-line banking, and ATMs worldwide. Through innovation, attractive rates, and personalized service, STCU is committed to maximize members’ financial health and security.

congratulations
STEVEN FOWLER

SOUTH CAROLINA CREDIT UNION LEAGUE ANNOUNCES NEW CEO

After conducting a national search for a new CEO, the South Carolina Credit Union League is pleased to announce Steve Fowler as its new executive officer. “This is a critical time in the credit union industry and the leadership role at the association has never been more important. We worked hard to align our strategy for strong advocacy at the association level with an individual that understands the needs of our member credit unions” says Scott Woods, league chairman. Fowler has been serving as interim CEO since January 1, 2010 and is a veteran to the credit union political scene having served as the Executive Vice President and the principle lobbyist for the South Carolina Credit Union League. “I am honored and excited to accept the SCCUL President/CEO position. I know the future holds great promise and serious challenges."

congratulations
DARRYL WORRELL

ENVISION CREDIT UNION ANNOUNCES NEW CEO

For the first time in 43 years, Envision Credit Union has a new President/CEO. Darryl G. Worrell was selected by the Credit Union’s Board of Directors and has taken over the reins from Ray E. Cromer, Jr., effective January 26.

Worrell has over 23 years experience in the financial services industry, including 15 with credit unions. He was most recently Chief Operating Officer of Allegacy Federal Credit Union, a 1.1 billion dollar institution in Winston-Salem North Carolina.He has a BS and MBA degrees as well as completing several industry and service related programs that include the CUES (Credit Union Executive Society) CEO Institute, Ritz Carlton Service Institute, Winston Salem Leadership Program, The Center for Creative Leadership and the Edmunds Group Executive Coaching Program.He has served in a leadership capacity within the credit union industry as a Director for the North Carolina Credit Union Executive Society (CUES), the CUSC (North Carolina Shared Service Centers), the Operations Committee for the North Carolina Credit Union League and the Middle Tennessee Chapter of Credit Unions.“We took our time with this selection,” said David Helton, Chair of the Envision Board of Directors. “Our board and senior leadership wanted to ensure a good fit for our mission, vision and organizational culture. Darryl Worrell brings a new perspective to our credit union, while embracing our traditional credit union values and commitment to responsible management.”

“I’m excited about being selected to lead Envision,” Worrell said, “and I’m honored to be succeeding Ray Cromer who is widely known and highly respected for his innovative ideas and his dedication to credit union ideals.”

“I think 2010 is going to be a challenging year for all financial institutions” Worrell said, “but from what I’ve seen so far, our Board of Directors is dedicated to making sure there is value in being a member of Envision Credit Union and the executive team understands we can’t let up on efforts to conserve resources, expand our loan balances and basically, deal with the hand we’ve been dealt.”