Jay Champion named President/CEO of Westerra Credit Union
John McCloy to retire
DENVER, CO (October 25, 2018) — The Westerra Credit Union Board of Directors has named Jay Champion as the next President and Chief Executive Officer of Westerra Credit Union effective December 1, 2018, succeeding John McCloy who has announced his retirement.
Champion joins Westerra from Boulder-based Elevations Credit Union where he most recently served as Chief Operating Officer overseeing lending operations—including commercial, consumer and mortgage lending programs—and directing retail delivery channels, including all branches and the contact center. He was also responsible for governmental affairs and marketing, focusing on building relationships and brand awareness for the credit union with current and prospective members.
“After conducting an extensive national search and evaluating many excellent candidates, the Board of Directors is excited to have Jay Champion take the lead in carrying on Westerra’s rich tradition of serving members. We are thrilled to bring an individual of Jay’s caliber on board and look forward to a long and successful relationship with Jay as our leader,” said Andy Raicevich, Board Chairman.
“Jay is a seasoned credit union executive who has operated in the Denver metro area for several years,” Raicevich said. “He is an energetic and passionate leader, and Westerra is excited to have him in this leadership role.”
“I would like to thank the Westerra Board of Directors for selecting me as the next President/CEO,” Champion said. “It is truly an honor and a privilege to work with the Westerra Board and staff in serving our members. Westerra has deep roots in our community and a rich tradition of service in the Denver metro area. I look forward to building upon the success of those who came before me as we move forward working together on behalf of Westerra members, staff and our community.”
Champion brings over 30 years of lending and financial services expertise. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from East Texas State University, a Master’s of Business Administration from Texas A&M University-Commerce, and is a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. Jay and his wife, Dianna, a former elementary school teacher and principal, have been married for 23 years and live in Niwot with their children Jason, 13, and Meredith, 9.
“I’m honored to have had the opportunity to work with John McCloy over the years,” said Raicevich. “His contributions to Westerra and the industry are immense and pave the way for us to continue to build for the future. We are extremely grateful for his visionary leadership, and wish him well in his retirement, as we pass the baton to Jay.”
McCloy has served the financial services industry in leadership roles for over 40 years. Fluent in Spanish, he has donated his time to serve in medical missions in South America as well as other humanitarian outreach, including volunteering with the World Council of Credit Unions.
John McCloy
Retiring President/CEO
Jay Champion
President/CEO
About Westerra Credit Union
Founded in Denver 1934 by eight schoolteachers, Westerra lives into its purpose “We exist to teach one another to prosper” by focusing on meaningful relationships, helping individuals, families and businesses meet their financial goals, and positively impacting lives through financial education. Westerra holds approximately $2 billion in assets, is member-owned and serves 110,000 members across the Denver metro area. Each individual depositor at Westerra is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) up to $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government. In 2024, Westerra was one of 3 credit unions selected for Newsweek’s “America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions” list. Join us in building a modern financial community where we all truly belong by becoming a member in less than 5 minutes! For more information, visit www.westerracu.com.
