SAN DIEGO — Gene O'Rourke named MyDAS co-founder Sue Mitchell CEO of his executive headhunting firm at the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues Annual Meeting last week. The company, which operates the Career Connections placement service, has also changed its name to O'Rourke, Mitchell and Associates.
It was Mitchell's involvement in credit union leadership development that caught O'Rourke's eye, he said.
"Our gift is identifying talented individuals in the marketplace, and Sue has been developing emerging leaders, creating polished talent for our use," O'Rourke said. He added that Mitchell's existing relationships with human resources contacts were also attractive, because he has historically worked with CEOs and boards.
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O'Rourke said having Mitchell on board to manage organizational operations and growth will free him up to put more effort toward assisting large credit unions in executive searches.
Because the credit union industry is experiencing turnover in executive positions as current leaders retire, O'Rourke said Mitchell's career development experience will allow the firm to not only replace retiring leaders, but develop a new generation of credit union executives with the assistance of retired executive mentorships. In fact, the two intend to expand the company's approach from an on-demand headhunting service, to more of a consultant relationship, providing ongoing leadership development services to credit unions.
And, they plan to extend their reach beyond executives.
"Our industry is dependent upon people who understand cooperatives and credit union culture," Mitchell said, "and that not only includes executives, but also volunteers.
"Now that so many credit unions have community charters, boards have much more diverse backgrounds, and volunteers from the community may not understand credit union values."
Mitchell said while some credit union leaders worry about the future of the movement, she believes there is an enthusiastic, talented and capable generation of credit union leaders waiting in the wings.
The career development expert recalled a comment made Sunday night by newly retired industry icon Judy McCartney, speaking to colleagues who had gathered to celebrate her career.
"She reminded everybody that, back when she took over as CEO, she was a year younger than [new Orange County's Credit Union CEO] Shruti [Miyashiro], so all this talk about Shruti and others being too young is undeserved," Mitchell said.
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