So a meeting of the full board was called to review the implications of Davenport's absence "and to assure that we had a solid transition plan in place in the event of the worse-case scenario with the loss or permanent disability of our president," said Wetz. "We had to think through the implications to the organization should Mr. Davenport be unable to continue as president," said Wetz, who also is director of quality management at Integris Health System, the parent CU sponsor and a CU director for 30 years. There were other issues as well, said Wetz.

"We needed to identify who would be interim leader of the organization. We had to address compensation issues, as well as make certain that beneficiary matters were up-to-date and clearly defined." In the final analysis, "support was unanimous to grant his request to go," said Wetz citing the board's own desire to do its part to support Katrina relief. Moreover, "coming from a location that has gone through two significant disasters, the OKC Bombing of the Murrah Federal Building, and the May 3rd F-5 (1999) tornado, we have a deep sense of responsibility and compassion for those undergoing tragedies such as Katrina," said Wetz. "The end decision," continued Wetz "was that Integris Federal Credit Union was absolutely in support of allowing Mr. Davenport to deploy, but to also demonstrate our commitment by continuing his regular compensation while doing so. "We agreed to define the premises and conditions of his deployment, including the process we would follow should his services be required beyond the original planned term of his deployment," he added.

Those terms were not spelled out in a board statement. As for his part, Davenport who has been with the CU 15 years said he had no advance word of how the board would act on his request but once directors acted, "it was beautiful and I am most appreciative."

Davenport joined the 25-member law enforcement contingent on Sept. 17, deployed first to handle looting in St. Bernard Parish and later on Sept. 23 switched to Houma, and Dulac, La. for Rita search and rescue. "We were also at Grand Isle as Hurricane Rita approached and at Houma/Dulac, immediately after the levees broke when Rita made land on Sept. 23," said Davenport quipping, "we came for Katrina and stayed for Rita."

The Integris CEO recalled that board discussion on his trip focused on the dangers and the demands of the mission. One board member suggested the possibility of Davenport getting shot at by looters and the deputy sheriff had to remind them "there are bad people" in those conditions.

Davenport said he knew "it was simply the right thing to do" to go to Louisiana after he had a discussion with his 12-year old son about setting a good example based on the axiom, "the speed of the leader determines the rate of the pack." -

jrubenscut@aol.com