Mark Turnham, President/CEO of NW Priority Credit Union (NWPCU), has announced his retirement after 40 years of distinguished leadership and dedication to the credit union, its members and the credit union industry. He will start the next chapter in his life on September 1, 2020.
His career started at NWPCU on March 1, 1980, in our Collection Department. He was promoted to Assistant Treasurer and became President/ CEO in 1998; he is the longest standing President/CEO in our 92 years of history. Under Mark’s leadership, the credit union grew from $111 million to $270 million in assets.
Mark wholeheartedly believes in credit unions and their philosophy of “People Helping People.” During Mark’s credit union career, he served on The Oregon Credit Union League Board (now NW Credit Union Association), Mt Hood Chapter Board, was President of his Western CUNA Management School for all three years. Mark also received the Charlie Clark Award from CUNA Management School. This award is presented each year to an outstanding member of the graduating class. The faculty and classmates choose the recipient based on being an Honors student who best depicts the traits of loyalty, fidelity, leadership and service. He has also received the Distinguished Service Award – Professional of the Year from Credit Union Association of Oregon and CUNA’s Advocate of the Year Award.
Mark also served on the Oregon GAC Committee for the Association and the State of Oregon for 30 plus years and developed a rapport and corporative spirit with the Oregon Department of Consumer and Busines Services. Mark has been a well-respected leader in the credit union industry throughout his career.
Mark has been an invaluable mentor to the NWPCU staff over the years. He has always had an open-door policy; he welcomes the staff and members to come and talk with him anytime.
He was initially going to retire March 31, 2020, but due to his commitment to the Credit Union and the industry, he postponed his retirement until September 1, 2020. During that time, he has continued to work with and mentoring the incoming President/CEO Julie Garren.
Mark will be missed by all who have worked with him. We wish him the very best in his retirement.
NW Priority Credit Union Announces Their New President/CEO
NW Priority Credit Unions Board of Directors are pleased and excited to announce Julie Garren as their next President/CEO. The Board feels that she is the best fit to continue NWPCU’s philosophy and dedication to our membership. On September 1, 2020, Julie will assume her new role. She brings with her tremendous kowledge and leadership to the Credit Union, staff and our members.
“I am honored that our Board has allowed me to continue NWPCU’s philosophy and values. It is a bittersweet moment, as I have worked with Mark for 33 years and we will all miss him a great deal.
I am excited to continue the strong tradition of this Credit Union, moving forward into the future working with such a committed Board of Directors and an outstanding team who are dedicated to serving our membership.”
Marie Mullins, Chairperson of The Board of Directors, said: “We appreciate Julie’s efforts in remaining focused as the CFO while working along with Mark to have a seamless transition in September. We look forward to the next chapter of NWPCU going forward as she accepts her new duties”.
Julie Garren.
Mark Turnham.