CU*NorthWest, a 100% credit union-owned cooperative CUSO, announced that two credit union CEOs were chosen by their peers to serve on the CUSO’s board of directors. Elections were held at the 2017 Annual Stockholders meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 2017. Incumbent Debie Keesee, CEO of Spokane Media FCU in Spokane, Washington, and CEO of CALCOE FCU, Leslie Johnson, were elected to serve 3 year terms ending September 30, 2020.

“I have done many things professionally that I am proud to have achieved,” said Keesee. “Serving on the board of a CUSO that embodies the cooperative spirit is one of the most rewarding. It is exciting that this year our CUSO had a contested election; that shows the vitality of our organization and the leadership potential in our ownership. Congratulations to Leslie Johnson, who was also elected to the board. These are challenging times for credit unions and being able to provide a model that can truly help credit unions thrive is a fantastic accomplishment. CU*NorthWest is poised for great things; I look forward to being a part of that growth.”

Leslie Johnson added, “A big shout out needs to go to Debie Keesee as she has served on this board since inception. Congratulations Debie on your reelection.” Johnson went on to say: “It is with my deepest honor to be elected by my peers to serve on the CU*NorthWest Board of Directors. Our credit union has been an owner of this growing CUSO since 2006. It has been very exciting to watch the growth of CU*NorthWest as a true cooperative. CU*NorthWest continues to provide innovative data processing tools which supports the daily operations of credit unions. But they are so much more than that. They are truly in this for us, the credit union. As a board member, I will be committed to the users of CU*NorthWest for its continual growth and positive direction as a true cooperative.”

This was a contested election that drew 80% voting participation from the owners. “One of our greatest assets at CU*NorthWest is our board of directors, and as a true cooperative this is essential to our value; it is what makes us different, just like credit unions,” said CEO Greg Smith.