Wright-Patt Credit Union CEO Announces Retirement
Doug Fecher has been with Wright-Patt since 1995 and served as president/CEO since 2000.
After 21 years, Doug Fecher will step down as president/CEO of Wright-Patt Credit Union at the end of this year.
On Tuesday, WPCU announced Fecher’s retirement from the Beavercreek, Ohio financial cooperative. Fecher joined WPCU in 1995 as vice president of lending, became its vice president and COO two years later and stepped into his current role in December 2000.
In a statement, Fecher said, “It has been an honor and privilege leading WPCU. Credit unions are national treasures. I believe nothing else matters except the welfare of our members. All I ever wanted to do is to make sure I did what was right for all of our stakeholders – even in this fast-changing and highly regulated world.”
According to a statement from WPCU, Fecher accomplished the following during his tenure as president/CEO:
- Membership grew from 156,000 to 432,000.
- Assets increased from $596 million to $6.7 billion.
- Member Centers more than doubled from 16 to 34.
- Created myCUmortgage, a wholly-owned mortgage lending and processing company.
- Since 2008, WPCU has returned more than $83 million to members annually in the form of an end of year special patronage dividend.
- More than 1,172 employees work at the credit union, up from 363.
- With the creation of the Sunshine Community Fund, WPCU’s charitable giving arm, the credit union has raised over $2 million for area nonprofits.
“We thank Doug for the transformative contributions he has made for Wright-Patt Credit Union. His leadership and collaboration will be missed,” WPCU Board of Directors Chair Joseph Linsenmeyer said.
He continued, “The credit union weathered several global challenges under Doug’s leadership, and we relied heavily on his expertise throughout the Great Recession and again during the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with his many contributions, Doug has built a strong, respected and valued management team. His extensive knowledge of the industry along with his unwavering commitment to helping people has positioned the credit union for future success.”
Fetcher added, “I am enormously proud of the credit union and what we have accomplished by always staying true to the legacy of cooperative principles and self-help. WPCU’s future is extremely encouraging, and I look forward to a smooth transition.”
According to Linsenmeyer, WPCU’s board members will begin its search for a new leader for the credit union.