Diana Dykstra, president/CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, was appointed president of Western CUNA Management School in Ontario, Calif., the WCMS board of trustees announced Monday.
Dykstra is replacing Dr. James D. Likens, who will retire as WCMS president on Dec. 31 after 44 years of service. Dykstra will continue to serve at CEO of the leagues, a position she has held since 2010, according to Tina Ramos-Ingold, a media relations specialist for the California and Nevada leagues.
The board also said Dr. Michael Steinberger agreed to expand his role to serve as the school's dean of academics.
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In her new role, Dykstra will serve as WCMS' executive lead and as a direct connection between the school and the credit union movement throughout the Western U.S.
Dr. Steinberger will serve as the academic lead and focus on leadership development programs for WCMS students.
"We are fortunate to have a credit union movement icon like Diana leading our administrative efforts and an award-winning educator like Michael leading our academic efforts," Gene Pelham, WCMS board chair and president/CEO of the $1 billion Rogue Credit Union in Medford, Ore., said. "Diana and Michael have been instrumental in WCMS' past success, and we are so excited about what this partnership means for the future success of the students and faculty of WCMS."
Dykstra is a 1992 honors graduate of WCMS. She served as an instructor at the school for 18 years.
Dr. Steinberger, an economics professor and department chair at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., joined WCMS in 2006 as associate dean. He also serves on the supervisory committee of the $558 million First City Credit Union in Los Angeles and on the board of TRUST for Credit Unions in Washington.
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Peter Strozniak
Credit Union Times reporter covering credit union operations, fraud, M&As, leagues, business continuity, and breaking news.
