It may be somewhat fitting that Bill Hampel is retiring from his distinguished CUNA career in the city of Las Vegas where millions flock hoping to get lucky, but very few leave it that way.

After the longtime CUNA economist takes the stage for the last time to share his insights about how the economy will impact credit unions, he will leave the City of Lights as one of the lucky few.

“It's been a long and incredibly lucky career,” Hampel reflected in a Monday phone interview from the 2017 CUNA Economics and Investments Conference at Caesars Palace.  “Working for credit unions is a really a cool combination because you are working for businesses, (and their) main motivation for their existence is to help people. Being able to that for an entire career, I consider myself really fortunate to be able to do that.”

Hampel's official retirement date is Tuesday.

He is one of the longest tenured executives of CUNA, having joined the association as an economist in 1978. Hampel was promoted to chief economist in 1985 and to senior vice president of research and policy analysis in 1992. He transferred from CUNA's Madison office in 1997 and since then has been a senior member of CUNA's advocacy team. From June to September 2014, Hampel also served at CUNA's interim president/CEO.

Before joining CUNA, Hampel taught at the University of Montana for two years.

“I thought I should go out into the real world for a few years and see what that was like and then perhaps go back to teaching somewhere,” he said. “That is when I bumped into this job at CUNA, and that was 39 years ago.”

Mike Moebs, an economist and CEO of Moebs Services Inc. in Lake Forest, Ill., said he is probably the only person in the credit union movement who knew Hampel before he had facial hair.

“Since the 1970's when we first met to today Bill has always been the same good man,” Moebs said. “Dr. Hampel's economic knowledge can rival the best there is. I have seen him answer some of the dumbest questions making the person who asked always feel like a million bucks.  We have not always agreed, yet Bill could always get us to a common solution.  Bill is a smart, gentle giant.  His likes in financial services are rare.  I will miss him a lot and so will the credit union movement.”

CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle said Hampel improved and shaped the credit union industry in remarkable and innumerable ways.

“The credit union movement is stronger and more vibrant because of your service, Bill,” Nussle said.  ”Thank you.”

While Hampel will have more time to relax and travel, he also plans to stay active in the credit union movement as a part-time consultant.