BEAVERTON, Ore. — The Credit Union Association of Oregon Board of Directors announced last week that President Gene Poitras will retire as of Nov. 30.

“Gene has served the Oregon and national credit union movement for 36 years with distinction, and has been one of our most committed champions through the challenges and opportunities that credit unions have faced throughout the years,” Providence Health System FCU CEO Shirley Cate, chairman of CUAO, said. “We will miss him and we wish him well in this new chapter of his life.”

Poitras joined CUAO in 1975, and in February 1993 assumed the role of president. During his tenure, Poitras guided CUAO through significant events, including many legislative battles, a re-branding campaign that changed the association’s name, logo and Web site; and relocating the association’s office, not once but twice.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed working for Oregon’s credit unions and continue to have a strong belief in credit union ideals. I am optimistic that credit unions will continue to grow and prosper in the years to come,” Poitras commented.

Before becoming president, Poitras served as administrator of the OCUL Insurance Trust, and as senior vice president responsible for all fee-generating services offered by CUAO and its affiliates. He has served on numerous CUNA and AACUL committees, including CUNA’s board for nine years and the board of CUNA Strategic Services.

Prior to joining CUAO, Gene worked for Farmers Insurance Group and served on the credit committee and board of directors of the Northwest Farmers Insurance Group Federal Credit Union. When he left Farmers to join the CUAO Insurance Trust, he was president of the board. Before joining Farmers Insurance Group, he taught school for the Bureau of Indian Affairs at an Eskimo village in Alaska.

The CUAO Board of Directors will begin a search for a new president but in the meantime, Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs and Communications Pamela Leavitt and Danielle Brown, senior vice president of operations, will jointly lead the organization.