Tom Davis, a venerable fixture at NACUSO for two decades, is ready to pass the baton.

After 20 years of service on NACUSO's board and nearly four years as its CEO, Davis announced July 30 that he will leave the organization Dec. 31 to become the CEO of CUSO Development Co. LLC.

“It's time to let someone else take lead at NACUSO,” said Davis.

When he took the CEO position at NACUSO, Davis did so with the board's agreement that he could continue part-time with Davis & Co., his management consulting firm, according to NACUSO. He would also remain as a partner in CDC, a credit union-owned, national holding company that provides mortgage loan origination, business services and other solutions through subsidiaries.

With the growth of CDC's subsidiaries, Davis said in his new leadership role, he will use the opportunity to “walk the talk” that he espoused in NACUSO and build collaborative businesses.

NACUSO has formed a search committee for Davis' replacement. Mark Zooks, president/CEO of MaPS Credit Union, who also serves on NACUSO's board, is the committee's contact person.

Looking back over his tenure at NACUSO, Davis said, “There have been many highlights associated with my involvement in NACUSO over the years. But most paramount, was the opportunity to meet and work with some outstanding people.”

NACUSO members, past and present NACUSO board members, gold and platinum partners and other sponsors inspired Davis, he said, adding their support helped to develop a vision and programs for the association.

“Undoubtedly, they helped credit unions, CUSOs and the industry to move forward. In particular, the late Dave Serlo, PSCU CEO and NACUSO board chairman, was a great mentor and friend and provided many tutorials on organizational leadership and the benefits of collaboration,” Davis said.

Under his leadership, Davis initiated the National Center for Collaboration and Innovation, which launched a joint educational program with Pepperdine University. NACUSO also launched its regional meeting series to accommodate credit unions and CUSOs with limited travel budgets. The group's business services alliances continue to attract attendees.

Judy Sandberg, vice chairman of NACUSO, said she will remember Davis' innovative thinking, collaborative knowledge and pursuit of networked business strategies aimed to help transform and sustain the industry in the future.

“He leaves a legacy of transformational programs and activities that NACUSO can build on. We will surely miss his leadership, passion, and inspirational spirit,” Sandberg said.

NACUSO Chairman Pete Snyder said Davis' shoes will be hard to fill.

“He is a great leader, and we will have our work cut out for us in finding his replacement,” Snyder said. “Tom brought an academic flair combined with a passion for credit union and industry collaboration to NACUSO. As a direct result of his vision and leadership, NACUSO has been proactive in providing credit unions with the collaborative strategies and resources which address the significant modeling challenges that credit unions must put in place to sustain themselves.”

Asked if he would have any advice for credit unions moving forward in the future, Davis offered, “Let's focus not just on winning battles but on winning the war. And we will do that through the credit union and industry collaboration.”

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