TUCSON, AZ (June 29, 2018) — Vantage West Credit Union today announced the forthcoming retirement of President and Chief Executive Officer Robert D. Ramirez. The Board of Directors has created a search committee and will begin conducting a thorough process to identify Mr. Ramirez’s successor. Mr. Ramirez will remain in his position as President/CEO until his successor is identified and will retire from Vantage West upon the appointment of a new President/CEO.
Under Ramirez’s leadership, Vantage West’s assets grew from $507 million in 2000 to $1.9 billion today, while membership has increased to more than 150,000 members. Vantage West currently employs more than 450 Arizonans.
In addition to his position at Vantage West, Ramirez has also served the national credit union movement by participating on a number of volunteer committees and boards, most notably as chair of the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES). In 2016, Ramirez was inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame for his years of commitment and dedication to the credit union industry. In 2017 he was appointed to serve on the Twelfth District Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council for The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, providing a voice for local credit unions.
Ramirez has also undertaken a variety of philanthropic and civic activities during his career, including the Pima Community College Foundation, Tucson Metro Chamber, El Rio Health Center, DM50, San Miguel High School, Sun Corridor Inc., Southern Arizona Leadership Council, and United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.
His list of honors includes winning Arizona Daily Star Readers’ Choice Best Boss, becoming an inductee of the Nogales, Arizona High School Hall of Fame, and being named Greater Tucson Leadership’s Man of the Year, all in 2017. Previously, he was named University of Arizona Eller Honorary Outstanding Hispanic Community Leader in 2014, Father’s Day Council Father of the Year in 2010, and Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Business Man of the Year in 2009.
“I am extraordinarily proud of what we have accomplished since I joined Vantage West in 1985,” stated Ramirez. “It has been an honor to lead this organization and the incredible team of employees that provide exceptional service to our members. Now is the right time for me and Vantage West to transition leadership to the next generation. I look forward to continuing my work with the Board of Directors until the succession is complete.”
Eugene Santarelli, Chairman of the Vantage West Board of Directors, stated, “The Board is grateful to Bob for his more than 33 years of service to Vantage West, nearly 19 as President/CEO, and to the Tucson community. Bob has been an instrumental leader of the organization, one where we continue to focus on member service and making an impact on our community. We look forward to partnering with him to continue the outstanding outcomes of the past year while we work to identify his successor. The Board and I have no doubt about the strength of Vantage West as one of the largest credit unions in Arizona, and that we will carry this momentum forward over the coming months of Bob’s leadership and beyond under new executive leadership. Our search committee is well positioned to conduct a thorough search for Vantage West’s next President/CEO who can continue to lead Vantage West to future success.”
Robert D. Ramirez
Vantage West is one of the largest credit unions in Arizona. Established in 1955 to serve personnel at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the credit union has expanded to serve Members in Pima, Pinal, Maricopa, and Cochise Counties. Vantage West offers consumer and business banking services and is federally insured by NCUA. Special offers subject to approval. Dates subject to change. Prizes subject to availability, while supplies last. www.VantageWest.org.
Martin Casarez (he, him)
Manager
Corporate Communications
Martin.Casarez@VantageWest.org
