DES MOINES, Iowa -
Jordan's credit union career spanned seven decades of service. He began as treasurer of the former Western Union Employees Credit Union from its founding in 1938 until he joined the league staff in 1953. While at Western Union ECU, Jordan served as vice president of the league board and president of the Central Iowa credit union chapter.
Jordan began as a league career Special Representative, more commonly known as "field men," helping organize new credit unions and assisted existing institutions with their operations. When the league's managing director resigned in 1953, the board named Jordan temporarily to the position. The appointment became permanent in 1954, with the title later changed to president.
When Jordan took the reins, the league had only four employees, offered limited services and operated out of rented office quarters. By the time he retired 28 years later, the Iowa Credit Union League had constructed a new permanent headquarters and formed ICUL Services Corp., paving the way for the fee-supported services offered today.
Landmark legislation passed that resulted in the organization of the Corporate Central, the legalization of share drafts and the formation of a separate state credit union regulator. Jordan also spearheaded development of ICUL Data Services, the league's data processing center, and traveled throughout Iowa talking to credit union groups to sell the department and its services.
When Jordan retired in 1981, he maintained close ties with the credit union movement, serving as president of the National Association of Retired Credit Union People (NARCUP), representing the 10,000-member group to credit union audiences nationwide.
"Mr. Jordan is a legacy, helping the Iowa credit union movement advance to the level of nearly 1 million members seeing the benefits of credit unions today," said Pat Jury, CEO of the Iowa Credit Union League. "I'm honored to help him celebrate this milestone birthday."
