HONOLULU -- HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union is mourning the loss of former President/CEO Ron Ogata.
A 40-year financial services industry veteran, Ogata lead HawaiiUSA FCU from 1988 to 2002. He returned to the credit union and served on the board of directors for the past two years. During his tenure at the credit union, total assets more than doubled and membership tripled, making HawaiiUSA FCU the largest credit union in the State of Hawaii.
Ogata also urged Hawaii credit unions to form alliances as a way to deliver credit union services to all members, faster and cheaper, bringing together both big and small credit unions. In 1999, through the cooperation of seven other Hawaii credit unions, Ogata's vision of a Hawaii Shared Branching Network was realized. He also had a long history of championing causes for credit unions on both the national and local level from serving as a Hawaii Credit Union League director and Oahu Chapter of Credit Unions president, to being selected as the Hawaii CUL as "Executive of the Year" in 2000.
In addition in 2001, Ogata was one of three credit union executives nationwide, who were inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame, which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to CUES and the credit union movement.
A memorial service was held for Ogata on Jan. 20, 2008 in Honolulu.
--mdigiovanni@cutimes.com
