MADISON, Wis. -- CUES has recently appointed Vantage West CreditUnion CEO Robert D. Ramirez to its board.

Ramirez fills the unexpired term of former director MichaelHale, who resigned his position as president/CEO of Andrews FederalCredit Union last December.

"Robert's experience and dedication to the movement areimpressive and have prepared him well to serve our members. I amproud to welcome him to the CUES board and look forward to workingwith him," said CUES Board Chairman and Altura CU CEO MarkHawkins.

Ramirez, a graduate of CUES' CEO Institute and AdvancedLeadership Institute, has worked in the credit union movement since1985 as vice president and CFO of Vantage West CU. He was promotedto executive vice president in 1996 and became president/CEO in2000.

A CUES member since 1999, Ramirez also serves on the NationalCredit Union Roundtable Advisory Council, is director/treasurer forboth the Arizona Credit Union League and FirstCorp, and serves onthe board for Credit Union Financial Network LLC, an investmentCUSO for Arizona credit unions.

In addition, Ramirez is actively involved in his credit union'scommunity as a member of the Arizona Aerospace Foundation, the PimaCommunity College Foundation and the University of Arizona EllerCollege board.