ONTARIO, Calif.-Just when it seemed David Chatfield had done everything in the credit union movement, he managed to top himself by succeeding his own successor-at least temporarily.
Chatfield was named last week as interim CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union League, which he led for 15 years before retiring in 2006. Chatfield's replacement, Bill Cheney, is scheduled to become the new chief executive of CUNA on July 6. The league has turned to Chatfield to fill the position until a permanent replacement can be hired.
Duty Calls
"It is an honor to be asked," Chatfield said. "Duty calls and I feel a strong relationship with the league and with the credit unions in California, so I am happy to help out. Bill Cheney has done such a good job in California and Nevada he has been recruited for a national job, so here I am."
The league said Chatfield will remain as temporary president and CEO for "several months" until the new person is named prior to its annual meeting in November.
"Dave is a seasoned league executive, a living credit union legend, and will provide steady leadership that will help the league continue its model of excellence during this transition period," Cheney said in a press release. "With nearly four decades of credit union experience, Dave is exactly the type of leader who can guide a seamless transition. He has been a significant help to me, and I know he'll be of great assistance to the next president and CEO of the leagues."
Chatfield told Credit Union Journal he sees his role as "holding down the fort and keeping things going forward."
"I still know most of the people at the league and they are a great team to work with, so I will keep things in place until the new leadership comes forward," he said. "I have talked with Bill [Cheney] about priorities. There are advocacy and regulatory issues in Washington and Sacramento that we are keeping an eye on, but I am not seeking out opportunities for travel and speaking as I will leave that for the new leaders. But I do have certain responsibilities and travel requirements that I will meet."
Chatfield said he will "be available" to the search committee overseeing the hiring of the new CEO, "but I think they have it well under control."
Chatfield's 40-year career in in credit unions includes a term on the NCUA board under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. He first joined the CU movement as a volunteer elected official in 1965.
He has served with CUNA's Washington office, in field management for the CUNA Mutual Group, in management at the New York State and Alaska Credit Union Leagues, in senior management at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, and as the first executive director of The Filene Research Institute.
Honors & Accolades
Chatfield received the Herb Wegner Memorial Award in 1997 and was inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame in 1998. He received the Eagle Award in 2004 and the Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award in 2005, both from the American Association of CU Leagues.
