BEAVERTON, Ore. – Mike Osborne, executive vice president and CFO at First Tech Credit Union, died on May 13 at the age of 49 of pneumonia. Osborne was a rising star among credit unions, known for his knowledge of operational issues, specifically technology. He spoke at many credit union events and was a dedicated volunteer for charitable organizations. "Mike touched the lives of so many people and changed the credit union industry for the better," said Tom Sargent, First Tech CU's president/CEO. "He had the courage and leadership to ask the thought provoking questions that needed to be asked. We are stunned and saddened at his death, but we will move forward and honor the many legacies that Mike has left not only in our own credit union but in the industry as a whole." First Tech CU said it will establish a foundation in Osborne's name to benefit education and children's causes. Osborne joined First Tech CU in 1993 after a successful career in public accounting at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. He facilitated the mergers of several credit unions into the First Tech family. In addition to leading the credit union in innovation and service to its members, Osborne was widely viewed as a champion for difference. His passion about the legislative and regulatory issues facing credit unions led him to testify on their behalf before the Oregon state legislature and remain active at the federal level as well. "Mike was a special person and was an instrumental leader for us especially in the area of governmental affairs," said Gene Poitras, president of the Credit Union Association of Oregon. "He was a dedicated father and was dedicated to serving his community. He will be missed by all of us." At Northwest Corporate, Osborne provided expertise on so many levels as one of its board members, said Kathy Garner, president. And, this year's annual meeting, held May 18, just wasn't the same without him. Still in shock over Osborne's death, Garner said he "was a very strong leader, dynamic, intelligent, vibrant and full of life." Osborne was a past chairman of the corporate and had served here for 10 years. "Everything he touched just really made a significant difference," Garner said. "Some of the innovations he's done have kept us in the forefront. He was my mentor. He was my friend." Northwest Corporate Chairman Linda Wheeler spoke on Osborne's legacy at the corporate's annual meeting in Vancouver, Wash. "I think Linda summed it up when she said everyone is `shaken to sadness,' " Garner said. Osborne was actively involved in the Credit Unions for Kids program, a nonprofit effort to raise money for the Children's Miracle Network and was chairman of the Beaverton School Board. He was also a volunteer with the March of Dimes and many other community organizations. Osborne had served on the Beaverton School Board since 2000. School Superintendent Jerry Colonna told the Oregonian he connected with so many people through his commitment to bettering the district's schools. " He was instrumental in leading all the positive changes that the district has made in the three years I have been superintendent," Superintendent Jerry Colonna told the publication. "It's a tremendous loss for the Beaverton School District." Fellow school board member Karen Cunningham also told the publication Osborne's devotion was unyielding. "He was always strong in his resolve to do what was best for students and the community," Cunningham said. "It's a great loss for our community. I feel the loss personally as a friend." As recently as April 29, Osborne served as chairman of the March of Dimes WalkAmerica race in Oregon and Southwest Washington, which aimed to raise more than $1 million to fight premature birth. Osborne was known in the industry's IT and CFO circles as a voracious student of information technology strategies and ways to really make them work for credit unions. He attended numerous conferences on the subject and was highly sought after as an expert. "Many people in the industry often asked what it was like to work with Mike on a daily basis," stated Brooke Van Vleet, First Tech CU's vice president of marketing and business development. "I can honestly say, in a word, that it was wonderful. Mike's ability to lead people and communicate a strong vision was unparalleled." A memorial service for Osborne was scheduled to be held May 20 at the Westview High School gymnasium in Beaverton. Osborne is survived by his wife, Debbie; daughters Caitie, 19, and Hannah, 16; mother, Fern; father, William; and brother, Bill. -

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