RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. - After serving credit unions for four decades from the volunteer, league, regulator and vendor sides, David Chatfield announced last week his plans to retire April 1, 2006. Although he's probably most associated with his current position as president/CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, Chatfield actually hails from the flatlands of Ohio, and his CU career began in 1965 as a volunteer elected official of a small CU in Colorado. Three years later Chatfield joined CUNA Mutual Insurance Group as a field representative. From there he went on to serve as general manager for the New York State Credit Union League service corporation; the first director of political action in CUNA's Washington office where he developed the trade association's political action program; president of the Alaska Credit Union League; and an executive with Alaska USA FCU. In the early 1988, Chatfield became the first credit union professional appointed to the NCUA Board - he was appointed by former President Ronald Reagan, and he also served under President George H.W. Bush. During his tenure on the board, he addressed issues such as chartering and field-of-membership, member business lending, and corporate credit union regulation. In early 1989 Chatfield became the first executive director of the Filene Research Institute. He also participated in the creation of the Center for Credit Union Research at the University of Wisconsin. Chatfield came to the west coast as president/CEO of the California League in March 1991. In 1996, his title was expanded to include president/CEO of the Nevada Credit Union League. Chatfield's involvement with credit unions has also included: founding the CCUL's Shapiro Group in 1992 to provide special assistance to small CUs; traveling to Eastern Europe in the 1990's to help craft legislation for credit unions in Poland and working with financial cooperative leaders in Hungary, Central and Eastern Europe to encourage the formation of CUs there. Until recently Chatfield was chairman of Credit Union House LLC. He is on the board of Western CUNA Management School, O'Rourke Career Connection LLC, and CU West Mortgage Corp. He also served on the board of the World Council of Credit Unions from 1999-2005. Chatfield has also received numerous awards for his service to the credit union movement. Commenting on Chatfield's announcement, CCUL Chairman Diana Dykstra, president/CEO, San Francisco Fire CU said Chatfield "has made an indelible imprint on the success of the movement.From my heart, and as a colleague and friend, I understand why he is transitioning and I am excited for him. However, right now in this moment, I am devastated, but revel in the knowledge that his legacy will provide inspiration and guidance for our future." In his retirement message, Chatfield said he was "very proud of our leadership partnership - our elected officials and management staff - and the consistent progress we have made in improving service to member credit unions through program development and improvement, and through governance and staff realignment over time. We have not hesitated to take bold steps when necessary.We have a great team and I'm confident this positive direction will continue." -
ebarr@cutimes.com
