Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Among the Top Honors to be Presented in San Francisco in October
VACAVILLE, CA (October 1, 2013) -- The California Credit Union League announced today that Patsy Van Ouwerkerk, president and CEO of Travis Credit Union will be recognized and honored at this year’s California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues’ Annual Meeting and Convention.
This is the League’s highest honor, recognizing excellence in credit union philosophy and a lifetime of contributions to the California credit union movement. It is named after Leo H. Shapiro, father of the California credit union movement and founder of the League.
“I am pleased and honored to receive this award,” stated Van Ouwerkerk. “Throughout my career I have stressed the importance of continuous learning, training and development,” stated Van Ouwerkerk. “I am very proud of the many organizations I’ve been associated with and of the programs we’ve implemented to support credit unions of all sizes, to provide personal and professional growth opportunities and to advance the awareness of credit unions.”
Patsy Van Ouwerkerk is slated to receive the award October 28, the first day of the Annual Meeting and Convention. During her 38-year career, she has worked for large and small credit unions—beginning at Coast Federal Credit Union in 1975.
“It didn’t take me long to learn what credit unions stood for because the credit union philosophy was consistent with my personal values and beliefs,” Van Ouwerkerk said.
Van Ouwerkerk’s long list of credit union involvement includes serving on the boards of Western CUNA Management School (as vice chairman), CO-OP Financial Services, Richard Myles Johnson Foundation, and Filene Research Institute. She’s also a founder of the World Council of Credit Union’s Global Women’s Leadership Network and has chaired fundraising activities for Children’s Miracle Network. She has served on the California Credit Union League board of directors, including a year as chairman.
She has been a strong advocate for credit unions, and is heavily involved in the community, being an active Rotarian and Chair for the Solano EDC, on the advisory board for the Vacaville Boys and Girls Club, past chairman of the Travis Regional Armed Forces Committee, and past chairman for the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce. The recent Solano County’s Women of the Year also has received the League’s Distinguished Service Award and was inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame in 1997.
“Patsy has dedicated her life and career to expanding and protecting the credit union movement and we are proud to see her recognized for her contributions,” stated Patricia Moreno, Travis Credit Union’s Board Chair. "She is well known for her vision and business acumen and the impact she is making on the credit union industry as well as the communities that Travis Credit Union serves."
Headquartered in Vacaville, California, Travis Credit Union is a not-for-profit, cooperative financial institution serving those who live or work in Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Napa, Contra Costa, Alameda, Sonoma, Colusa, and Merced Counties. Currently, Travis Credit Union is the 13th largest credit union in California, with more than 178,000 members and over $2.1 billion in assets. As one of the leading financial institutions in Solano, Contra Costa, Yolo, Napa, and Merced Counties, Travis Credit Union’s strength lies in its faithful commitment to its members; its solid, secure history; and its long-standing track record of dedicated service.