VACAVILLE, Calif. — Patsy Van Ouwerkerk will retire from her position as president and CEO of $2.1 billion Travis CU late this summer.
Van Ouwerkerk has worked in credit unions for 38 years, the last 12 as CEO of Travis CU. Since she took the helm at TCU in June 2002, it has grown from $1.1 billion to $2.1 billion in assets and added 14 new branches. The credit union now serves more than 161,000 members at 22 locations in 12 Northern California communities, and military and civilian personnel at Travis Air Force Base.
"Patsy is a visionary leader, dedicated to promoting the importance and value of credit unions to the members and communities served, on both a local and global level," said Board Chair Pat Moreno. "She has been instrumental in expanding TCU's role as a model community steward and partner. Her reputation in the business community as well as with local, state and federal officials is exceptional. I join with the other members of the Board in acknowledging Patsy's accomplishments in the credit union industry and congratulate her on her retirement. She is leaving TCU financially well positioned."
In its most recent Call Report, TCU posted net income of $20.1 million thru Sept. 30, 2013. Its net worth ratio was 11.53% ("well capitalized").
Barry N. Nelson, who currently serves as TCU's EVP and second in command, has been unanimously selected by the TCU board as future president and CEO. Nelson has 23 years of credit union industry experience. He served as the credit union's chief financial officer and chief operations officer before being promoted to EVP in 2013.
League Involvement
Van Ouwerkerk has been a big part of California Credit Union League activities for many years. She served as chairman of the CCUL in 2002, received the League's Distinguished Service Award in 2007, and last fall was named the League’s Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award recipient for 2013.
When the CCUL launched its groundbreaking Public Advocacy Program in 2005, Van Ouwerkerk initially was a co-chairman and later became chairman of the effort, which included radio ads that promoted credit unions to California consumers. She was selected to chair CUNA’s 2006 Renewal Project, and she was actively involved in building financial support for the California Terrace at the Credit Union House in Washington, D.C.
In addition, Van Ouwerkerk is on the board of Western CUNA Management School, has served on the committee for the Credit Union Sactown 10-Mile Run event held in Sacramento, and has served on the boards of the Filene Research Institute, Direct Lending, CO-OP Financial Services, and Credit Union Executive Society.
Diana Dykstra, president and CEO of the California CU League, told Credit Union Journal Van Ouwerkerk was one of the first people Dykstra met when she started working at The Golden 1 CU in Sacramento in 1982. Asked about the numerous boards Van Ouwerkerk has served on, both with the League and others, Dykstra said, “I am not sure there are many things she has not done.”
“For her entire career Patsy has been a champion for credit unions and credit union causes,” Dykstra said. “During her term as chairman of the California League she was all about promoting financial education. She made sure we all had the tools, either as a financial institution employee or a consumer, to manage our finances. Travis Credit Union does tremendous work in financial education in the Vacaville area. It is in Patsy’s DNA and everything she does.”
“Patsy was an early mentor to me and now is a great friend, as well as a great leader in the credit union space. We are going to miss her bunches,” Dykstra added.
