BEAVERTON, Ore. — Credit Union Association of Oregon President Gene Poitras will retire as of Nov. 30, the board of directors announced today.

“Gene has served the Oregon and national credit union movement for 36 years with distinction, and has been one of our most committed champions through the challenges and opportunities that credit unions have faced throughout the years,” Providence Health System FCU CEO Shirley Cate, chairman of CUAO, said. “We will miss him and we wish him well in this new chapter of his life.”

Poitras joined CUAO in 1975, and in February 1993 assumed the role of president. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working for Oregon's credit unions and continue to have a strong belief in credit union ideals. I am optimistic that credit unions will continue to grow and prosper in the years to come,” Poitras said.

The CUAO Board of Directors will undertake a search for a new president but in the meantime, Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs and Communications Pamela Leavitt and Danielle Brown, senior vice president of operations, will jointly lead the organization.