FAIRBORN, Ohio -- Wright-Patt Credit Union Inc. President/CEO Douglas A. Fecher was awarded the Professional of the Year Award by the Ohio Credit Union League.
The league presented the award to Fecher at the ZENITH '08 conference at the Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Chair of the league and CEO of Kemba Credit Union Steve Behler explained during the presentation "to summarize Doug Fecher's contributions to the credit union movement is difficult, if not impossible. He is considered a leader here in Ohio and nationally, and is known for his unique, cutting-edge style."
Fecher's style has led Wright-Patt to double the asset growth since 2002. Fecher also generated the idea of StretchPay, which is gaining statewide and national attention as the credit union alternative to payday lending. In 2006, StretchPay began as an Ohio program, and has expanded to five states and Washington, D.C. It has allowed credit union members to save more than $3 million dollars in fees and interest in 2007.
"Benjamin Franklin said 'the way to do well, is to do good.' We get to do good everyday as we help our members achieve their dreams and make a difference in their lives," Fecher said during his acceptance speech. Fecher went on to attribute his award to his management team and mention each by name.
As part of the nomination process, the board of directors from a league-affiliated credit union of Ohio is required to submit the initial application along with three additional written peer endorsements.
"We take great pride knowing the leader of Wright-Patt Credit Union received such a prestigious award, and Doug has been recognized by his peers as a state and national leader in the industry," said Edward T. Blommel, chairman of the Wright-Patt Board of Directors.
Fecher has been president/CEO of Wright-Patt since December 2000 and serves on the Ohio Credit Union League board, the board of managers of Credit Union Outreach Solutions Inc., the advisory council for REAL Solutions of the National Credit Union Foundation, the Research Council for the Filene Research Institute, and he was most recently appointed to the national board of trustees of Consumer Federation of America.
