Westerra Credit Union appoints Steven Schmidle as Chief Executive Officer
DENVER, CO (October 3, 2023) — The Board of Directors of Westerra Credit Union is pleased to announce the appointment of Steven Schmidle as its President and CEO, after serving as Acting President and CEO for the past several months. During this time Schmidle has demonstrated remarkable leadership, dedication and a profound commitment to Westerra’s mission. The transition is a natural and positive step, reflecting a strategic move to navigate the organization through today’s challenging financial landscape, while preserving the institution’s commitment to its members and the community.
Schmidle has been a cornerstone of Westerra since becoming Chief Financial Officer in 2019, joining Westerra with 20 years of previous financial, operational, and strategic leadership experience within financial institution management. His elevation to the position of CEO is a natural progression that aligns with the institution’s vision for the future.
In these unprecedented times marked by high interest rates, fluctuating housing markets and economic uncertainty, Schmidle is prepared to lead Westerra with unwavering determination. His comprehensive knowledge of the financial industry, coupled with his deep-rooted commitment to the credit union’s members and its broader community, positions him as the ideal leader to navigate these complex challenges.
“We have worked with Steve for many years and are impressed with his commitment to our members and the communities Westerra serves,” said Andy Raicevich, Westerra Board Chairman. “The Board of Directors is confident he will lead Westerra with dedication and ensure our goals of sustainable growth and member service are met.”
“I am deeply honored to be appointed by the Board of Directors to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Westerra Credit Union. We have a proud history approaching 90 years in length, and I am fully committed to strengthening that legacy,” said Schmidle. “Together, with our dedicated team, we will not only navigate the current financial landscape but also innovate and create new opportunities for our members to thrive.”
Schmidle is known not only for his financial acumen, but also for his genuine passion for member service and community involvement. This commitment will remain at the core of Westerra’s operations under his leadership. He believes that a strong community is the foundation of any successful financial institution, and he intends to foster even closer ties with the local community while continuing Westerra’s tradition of supporting local educators and creating shared prosperity.
For more information about Westerra and its Leadership Team, visit: www.westerracu.com/about/company.
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.
