The Board of Directors of WestStar Credit Union, Las Vegas, Nevada, announces the retirement of President and CEO Rick Schmidt and welcomes John Bagents as their new President and CEO.
"It is with deep regret that the Board of Directors of WestStar Credit Union has accepted and acknowledged the desire of Rick Schmidt, the current President, and CEO to retire. He has indicated that he plans to spend more time with his family as well as enjoy some leisure activities with his new free time. He has led the Credit Union through some tough times and has kept WestStar a safe and sound financial institution. We thank him for his dedication and all his years of service to WestStar Credit Union. Concurrently, on behalf of the Board of Directors for WestStar Credit Union, I wish to welcome John Bagents as our new President and CEO. We look forward to having him join our Management Team to continue growing WestStar in the Las Vegas and Reno gaming communities. We believe his experience and expertise will help accomplish our goals.” stated Craig Hawkins, Chairman of the Board of Directors.
When asked about his decision to retire, Rick replied, “I have loved working with the members and staff of WestStar for the last 13 years. While I am excited about the next phase of my life, I will always care deeply about WestStar and its people. I am very confident that John will do an outstanding job in leading the credit union to greater heights and success in the future. I wish him and WestStar nothing but the best for the bright future ahead of them.”
John is excited to begin his new role and looks forward to all the WestStar will accomplish. "It is clear that WestStar Credit Union is a special place with a great team! The credit union has proven its reputation for serving and prioritizing members during the pandemic, and I am committed to continuing serving our team, members, and community. I appreciate the opportunity to serve as the next CEO of the gaming industry's credit union and look forward to becoming part of the Las Vegas and Reno communities."
John is a collaborative leader who has served as the CEO of County Schools Federal Credit Union since 2014. Previously, he was a Federal Examiner with the National Credit Union Administration. He brings experience in strategic innovation, leadership and staff development, regulatory compliance, asset liability management, and community engagement. John received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and his Master of Business Administration from the University of North Alabama.
This search was completed in partnership with Humanidei. Humanidei was founded in July 2019 to help credit unions win the war for talent by creating more inclusive cultures where all humans can thrive. Humanidei’s executive search division, O’Rourke & Associates, has served the credit union space for over 35 years. www.humanidei.com
John Bagents