The newly-formed Northwest Credit Union Association has named William Anderson, president/CEO of Mid Oregon FCU of Bend, as its new chairman and Debie Keesee, president/CEO of Spokane Media FCU, as vice chair.
Their election came at the first 2011 board meeting of the new trade group, representing the now defunct Washington Credit Union League and Credit Union Association of Oregon, merged on Jan. 1.
Other table officer CEOs include: Marshall Ellison, Twinstar CU, Olympia, Wash., treasurer; Jean Wheat-Palm, Valley CU, Salem, secretary and executive committee members Jack Fallis, Global CU, Spokane, and Gene Pelham, Rogue FCU, Medford.
"Our first board meeting was devoted to housekeeping but we're most pleased at the great support we've received from credit unions in both states," said John Annaloro, CEO of NWCUA.
One of the initial operational changes resulting from the merger, NWCUA officials said, will be closer ties to the chapters in both states adopting what was deemed a highly successful network in Oregon in which staffers paid closer attention to chapter operations and programming. In fact, three or four chapters in Washington State had become inactive lacking officers to run them.
"We've already adopted some of their ideas to improve our network in Washington State," a spokesman said.
