Press
iQ Credit Union executive announces retirement date
VANCOUVER, WA (March 24, 2014) — iQ Credit Union President/CEO Roger Michaelis announces his plan to retire from the credit union effective October 2014, after 29 years of service. The credit union’s board of directors has begun a national search for his replacement.
Leadership expands credit union growth
Michaelis joined Clark County School Employees Credit Union (CCSECU) as President/Chief Executive Officer in 1985. At the time he took the helm, the credit union had only $38 million in assets and a total of 36 employees, serving 9,500 members. He led the Credit Union through a name change in 2004, a merger in 2005 with City Employees Federal Credit Union of Clark County, and is now overseeing the 2014 consolidation plans with neighboring Lacamas Community Credit Union.
Under Michaelis’ stewardship, the story of iQ is one of continued growth and success. His efforts to guide innovation toward personal service and convenience resulted in a variety of remote access accounts. First, VIP TellerPhone, allowing members to access their account information over the phone. Then came Online Banking, giving members 24/7 account access via any personal computer. Almost 20 years ago Clark County School Employees Credit Union became one of the first credit unions to offer information over the Internet with its own web page. That same year, assets topped $150 million, with a rise in membership to over 25,000. In 1996, electronic Bill Pay service was added. In recent years cooperative payments systems, shared branching commitments, tellerless kiosks trials, and full mobile access technology continued his progressive first-in approach to consumer convenience; continually embracing banking’s technological advancements.
Today the Credit Union’s field of membership has grown beyond Clark County to include the entire state of Washington. With the upcoming completion of the consolidation with Lacamas Credit Union, the new organization is expected to have more than $725 million in assets, plus a staff of 250 employees serving approximately 70,000 members through fifteen branch locations, plus five high school branches.
“For the past 29 years, our Credit Union has benefited and prospered from Roger’s leadership,” said James Sork, Ph.D., iQ Credit Union Board Chairman. “His tenure with iQ exceeds that of any current board member and his contributions to the business and nonprofit communities are significant.”
Enriching community through service
Michaelis serves as a member of numerous regional and national professional and industry committees, councils, task forces and boards. He is currently on the board of Credit Union Service Centers, a division of CO-OP Financial Services. He received Washington Credit Union League’s Distinguished Professional Award in 2004 and the League’s Mark of Excellence Award in 2006.
He also served on several community boards and organizations including the Evergreen School District Foundation, Oregon Food Bank, the March of Dimes Foundation Oregon Chapter, and Vancouver Rotary.
With its roots in serving local educators, much of iQ’s community involvement and philanthropic support has focused on strengthening education and health for children in the community. Under Michaelis’ leadership the Credit Union has taken a lead role in support of local school distinct ballot measures, providing funding and allowing citizen committees free use of facilities for meetings and as phone call centers. The Credit Union also provides funding to local school district foundations and for teacher orientations and training, including its popular Read with MeSM program, which has provided more than 66,000 books for children. During Michaelis’ tenure, the regional Credit Unions for Kids initiative has raised more than $10 million in support of local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Roger has been instrumental in the success of these efforts.
“Roger Michaelis has been a critical part of Credit Unions for Kids since it began in 1986,” said H. Stacy Nicholson, M.D., M.P.H., Credit Unions for Kids Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatrics, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. “His leadership, enthusiasm and advocacy for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital has helped raise more than $10 million for our patients. We appreciate what the partnership with Roger and his team at iQ Credit Union has accomplished for children’s healthcare in our area.”
Michaelis got his start in the financial services industry in 1974 as a management trainee with First Technology Credit Union (formerly Tektronix Employees Federal Credit Union). He moved to Crown Federal Credit Union in 1980 where he served as general manager before joining iQ Credit Union. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon, and completed executive session courses at University of Colorado-Boulder; University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Florida and Stanford University.
“The years working at iQ Credit Union have been the most rewarding and fulfilling of my career,” said Michaelis. “I am forever thankful to the Board of Directors, my executive team, our employees in the Credit Union and members for their support.”
Michaelis’ distinctive career was honored as part of the proceedings at his credit union’s annual meeting on March 11th in Vancouver.
The iQ Credit Union Board has named an internal Selection Committee to begin the work needed for establishing the ideal candidate profile for the upcoming national CEO search. Michaelis’ replacement is expected to be named during the fourth quarter of 2014.
About iQ Credit Union
iQ Credit Union has provided members with intelligent financial services that deliver unbeatable value since 1940. The Credit Union helps members make smarter banking decisions to maximize their finances and enjoy life’s journey.