The Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) said its former president and CEO, Dan Plauda, passed away over the weekend.
Plauda, who was 69, became CEO of the ICUL and the ICUL Service Corporation (LSC) in 1984. He began his career with the league in 1977 when he was hired by then-CEO Dick Ensweiler to be its first general counsel.
Plauda was responsible for the drafting and passage of the re-codification of the Illinois Credit Union Act in 1979 – a piece of legislation that took two years to develop and get signed into law and which ushered in a new era of services the state's credit unions could provide to its members, ICUL noted.
In addition, Plauda formed the Illinois Credit Union Foundation, establishing it as a 501(3) charitable organization to benefit the needs of small credit unions throughout the state. The foundation has awarded more than $3 million in scholarships, community service grants, peer assistance, and emergency and natural disaster aid over its 37 years of existence.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Dan's family and friends as they deal with this unexpected loss," said Tom Kane, current president and CEO of ICUL and LSC. "Dan was a leader for many years in the credit union industry—across the country as well as Illinois—as well as a mentor and friend to many of us. He hired me nearly 13 years ago and always impressed me as a smart, big-hearted, pragmatic, and decisive leader with a great sense of humor and perspective on the challenges of running a successful league and national service corporation."
Under Plauda's stewardship, the Credit Union Political Action Council grew from a small political action committee (PAC) to one of the "most effective" political action groups in Illinois, raising more than $368,000 in 2015 alone. Plauda also expanded and restructured the governmental affairs department and opened a branch office in Springfield.
After retiring in June 2014, Plauda was inducted into the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame.
Stephen R. Olson, ICUL's EVP & General Counsel, commented: "I had the privilege of working with Dan for 37 years, the first seven while at a law firm and the last 30 in my role as general counsel of the league and LSC. We enjoyed a great professional relationship and I thank him for giving me the opportunity to serve credit unions in a more intensive and focused manner."
