California League on Schedule to Name Chatfield's Replacement Next Month

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. – David L. Chatfield announced his retirement as CEO of the California Credit Union League earlier this year. “I would expect by January 1, give or take a couple of days, an announcement will be made,” said Diana Dykstra, chairman of the league’s search committee, regarding a new CEO announcement. Dykstra said she was pleased with the caliber of applicants that applied for the position, saying, “we had a large pool to choose from, and we had plenty of opportunity to interview individuals.” Dykstra said the committee isn’t looking to find a clone of Chatfield, but rather someone who can grow with the position and change with the industry. So what are qualities the committee is looking for? “It’s really the innovation, the vision, the energy, and the passion of his leadership that we’re looking to replace,” Dykstra said, adding Chatfield’s ability to build teams and develop a sense of cooperation are also important. While Chatfield has made a name for himself in the legislative arena, Dykstra said she feel that quality isn’t the most crucial one required of his replacement, even in the midst of current banker attacks in state and national legislative arenas. Back in April 2005, Chatfield announced a retirement date of April 1, 2006. Organizational heads don’t ordinarily give a full year to find a replacement; however, Chatfield is no ordinary organizational head. He is, after all, the leader of the largest credit union trade organization in the country, and his leadership positions on the NCUA Board, Filene Research Institute and World Council of Credit Unions have brought additional prestige to the League. Chatfield, however, said the League should fare just fine after his departure. “Every organization can benefit from a fresh approach. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with the direction we’ve set; in fact, much of what we’ve done, the League will continue to do after I’m gone. But someone of the stature they have in mind to replace me will have new things in mind, and I think they’ll find somebody well qualified to provide some great new ideas.” After the new CEO is named in January, he or she will begin work around March 1, 2006, which will allow for a month of training with Chatfield before his retirement.