Northwest credit union advocates capped the second full day of the Governmental Affairs Conference by paying tribute to two of their own at the Wegner Awards dinner and gala in Washington, D.C. Earlier, delegates heard from former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, NCUA Chair Debbie Matz, NCUF Executive Director Gigi Hyland and others.
Retired BECU President/CEO Gary Oakland says he looks back on his 38-year credit union career and hopes “that I made a positive difference.” But Oakland, winner of the 2014 Herb Wegner Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement, needn’t worry. Evidence of his impact is everywhere.
Gary Oakland, who led BECU in Seattle to unprecedented growth as its CEO for 26 years and whose generosity and selflessness made him an industry leader and an influential contributor to a wide variety of community causes, has been named the winner of the 2014 Herb Wegner Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Former BECU President and CEO Gary Oakland will be inducted into the Junior Achievement Puget Sound Business Hall of Fame next month in honor of his “lasting impact on the region’s business and society.” Tickets are available to the induction dinner, with proceeds benefiting Junior Achievement programs in Washington.
Long-time BECU President and CEO Gary Oakland has officially stepped down at BECU after a career that spanned more than 30 years. His philosophy? “How is it going to benefit the member? How can we make a positive difference in our members’ lives?”
BECU announced this week that Benson Porter will succeed Gary Oakland as president and CEO. Porter most recently led the merger of First Tech and Addison Avenue federal credit unions in Oregon and California.
As CEO at BECU, Gary Oakland has navigated recessions, strikes and the housing market meltdown while growing assets to $9.5 billion and membership to more than 700,000, and he will be recognized with the Mark of Excellence honor next month.
News and information about the happenings within the Northwest credit union movement