The Western Credit Union Management School (WCMS) is entering a new chapter as Michael Steinberger takes over as president and dean, the organization announced Thursday.
The most recent president for WCMS was Diana Dykstra, retired president/CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. Steinberger was dean during her tenure. The school's board of trustees also appointed new additional leadership to guide its 66th session, scheduled for July.
Steinberger, or "Dr. Mike" to the WCMS students who know him, joined the WCMS administration team in 2006. Since 2016, he has served as the school's dean and chief academic officer. He will remain dean while expanding his leadership role to president.
A research economist and professor at Pomona College in Claremont in California, Steinberger has an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley, where he earned highest honors in economics, political science and statistics, and a Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His research on wage inequality and financial services has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court and presented at the Federal Reserve, as well as showcased in academic journals.
He also brings industry experience as the current board chair of the $937 million First City Credit Union in Los Angeles. He joined his first credit union at age six and frequently shares with students his gratitude for a partial scholarship he received from his credit union when he went to college.
"WCMS is so important for our students and the credit unions they serve," Steinberger said in a prepared statement. "Our school's mission remains steadfast; empowering the next generation of credit union leaders with the 'head and heart' educational foundation they need to drive change for their members. I am humbled to step into the role of president of such an impactful school."
As part of WCMS' new chapter, the school has appointed 2008 graduate Matt Stephenson as associate dean of projects.
Stephenson, president/CEO of the $4.2 billion Rogue Credit Union in Medford, Ore., will collaborate with Steinberger to oversee the school's between-term Project I and Project II. These intensive student research projects help students translate classroom lessons into strategies they can bring back to their own credit unions.
Stephenson was one of 12 people in the school's 65-year history to graduate with highest honors. He has an MBA from the University of Nevada and has been a member of the WCMS faculty for several years, serving as an instructor and project mentor.
"For our students, Project I and II are the defining transformative pillars of our school," Stephenson said. "They challenge students to think deeper and apply what they've learned directly to their credit unions and the members they serve. I look forward to continuing the school's constant commitment to update and refine the projects to help our students develop their leadership and improve their ability to make real impact for their members."
Effective Jan. 1, WCMS also welcomed new leadership for its board of trustees. Bill Cheney, CEO for the $35.3 billion Schools First Federal Credit Union in Tustin, Calif., will serve as the new WCMS board chair. Eric Petracca, president/CEO of the $2.1 billion, Vancouver, Wash.-based iQ Credit Union, is the new WCMS vice chair.
Founded more than 60 years ago, WCMS is the west coast-based leadership and philosophical institution for current and future credit union leaders.
Joyce Moed can be reached at joyce.moed@arc-network.com.
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