MADISON, WI – The Filene Research Institute Board of Directors elected Paul Kundert as its new chairman on February 23, 2013 during its quarterly board meeting, which took place in Washington D.C. Kundert replaces Pat Smith, president and CEO of Unitus Community Credit Union in Portland, Ore., who has served as chairman for the last three years and remains on the board as a director.
“The Filene Research Institute is an important resource to everyone who cares about the credit union movement and is committed to providing the most informed leadership possible. It’s a great honor to serve as chair,” said Kundert. “Outgoing Filene chair Pat Smith has set a high mark for leadership in supporting progress to keep the work of Filene relevant and impactful in an ever-changing reality. We are grateful to Pat and Unitus for their past and ongoing support of the Filene mission.”
Kundert previously served as vice-chair on the Filene Board, and is president/CEO of the University of Wisconsin Credit Union. Prior to joining UW Credit Union in Madison, Wis., he was president/COO of Think Credit Union (formerly IBM MidAmerica, and now chartered as Think Mutual Bank of Rochester, Minn.). Kundert has previously served on the board of the Wisconsin Credit Union League, the Wisconsin Credit Union Foundation and the Filene Research Council.
In addition to Kundert, board officers include Patsy Van Ouwerkerk, president/CEO of Travis Credit Union, Vacaville, Calif., as the newly elected vice-chair;Bill Cheney, president/CEO of CUNA & Affiliates, Washington D.C., as treasurer; and Brett Thompson, president/CEO of The Wisconsin Credit Union League, Pewaukee, Wis., as secretary.
Jan Roche, president/CEO of State Employees FCU, Alexandria, Va., was re-elected to a second three-year term as director. She joins Smith and Jeff Post, president/CEO of CUNA Mutual Group, Madison, Wis. as at-large board members.
About Filene
The non-profit Filene Research Institute is a consumer finance think tank serving the North American credit union system of $1.5 trillion in assets and more than 106 million members. Filene publishes objective research and fosters consumer-focused financial innovation. The Institute collaborates with leading researchers and academic institutions worldwide.