The Northwest Credit Union Association made it official Tuesday:its veteran CEO John Annaloro is retiring Oct. 2.

He will be succeeded by Troy Stang, the president of the trade group which resultedfrom the merger of the Oregon and Washington leagues in 2011 andincludes members from Alaska.

The NWCUA said the changing of the guard will occur at theannual convention and business meeting in Vancouver, Wash., andinclude a reception in his honor on Oct. 4.

Annaloro was CEO of the Washington Credit Union league from 1997until the merger and was the first CEO of the new group, which hasabout 200 members. He previously was a senior executive with theCalifornia and Nevada Credit Union Leagues.

Annaloro is widely credited with creating one of the mostprogressive state-charter environments in the nation, the NWCUAsaid, crediting him with “fostering a cohesive credit unioncommunity in the Northwest that maximizes the industry's collectivestrengths.”

“(He also) is known as a promoter of aggressive andeffective government affairs programming, and he has earnednumerous awards for his efforts over the past 15 years, includingthe Eagle Award from the American Association of Credit UnionLeagues for his outstanding record of achievement as a systemleader,” the NWCUA said in a statement.

Annaloro also is the recipient of the Herb Wegner Memorial Awardfrom the National Credit Union Foundation for his work with the PBSseries “BizKid$,” a program launched in Seattle with credit unionfunding.

Former CUNA CEO Dan Mica cited Annaloro's leadership advocatingfor passage of the Credit Union Membership Act of 1998. The actsignificantly opened credit union membership eligibility toconsumers. Today, nearly 93 million Americans belong to a creditunion.

“John spared no effort advancing the credit union charter.He clearly established Washington state as what I would call a'soldier on the ground,' taking critical issues door-to-door to thepeople,” Mica said.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with and get toknow John over the past few years,” said Bill Anderson, NWCUA chairman and CEO of the $164 million MidOregon FCU in Bend. “His focused and agile leadership he hasput in place the very foundation that has made thisorganization—and indeed, our industry—such a success.”

Annaloro said, “Serving the credit union system has been anhonor in every way. I appreciate the trust vested in associationexecutives by our credit unions. These appointments are nobleendeavors, worthy of anyone's best efforts to provide a brilliantfuture. I will miss many friendships, as well as the staff, boardmembers and past chairmen who have been my partners.”