Scott Simpson to Lead New Three Western State CU Trade Group

In addition to announcing a new joint support services organization, the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues and the Utah Credit Union Association said Wednesday that Scott Simpson will become the next president/CEO of the three-state trade industry organization.

Simpson, president/CEO of the Utah Credit Union Association, will succeed current California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues President/CEO Diana Dykstra, who recently announced she will retire on July 1 after 40 years of service.

While each state organization will maintain governance of their respective advocacy operations, the joint support services organization will be responsible for administering the non-advocacy related services and back-office functions.

“The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues for a number of years have been operating with separate boards, separate budgets, separate dues formula, but they’ve collaborated on its operations – and that is being expanded to include Utah,” Simpson explained. “We’re going to keep the Utah brand, the Utah board, so governance will stay the same, leadership will stay the same, but we see this as an opportunity to collaborate particularly with the support and services side of what leagues do. But we’re fiercely protecting the unique sort of affinity of the advocacy brands in each of the states.”

Dykstra noted California and Nevada have a long history of supporting each other as well as fellow states in government advocacy.

“It is critical to protect and amplify local affinity in the political and policy arena,” she said. “This model works and works well.”

Some of the non-advocacy related services and back-office functions include compliance and operational support, talent development, education, training, conferences, and product and services marketplace functions.

“Our leagues have discussed at great length the desire to continue to amplify our strong, local advocacy machinery,” Shane London, president/CEO of the $1 billion Deseret First Credit Union in West Valley City and Utah Credit Union Association board chair, said. “We recognize the need to achieve scale while remaining fiercely focused on the power of local advocacy. This model does both.”

Jennifer Denoo, president/CEO of the $275 million Great Basin Federal Credit Union in Las Vegas and Nevada Credit Union League board chair, said since Nevada and California have maintained a successful partnership for many years, it’s a natural fit to include the Utah Credit Union Association.

“This is a strategic opportunity and sound plan for future success,” she said.

Although California, as a large state, has a big presence in the credit union space, it has consistently honored and respected the work of all states, noted Geri LaChance, president /CEO of the $1.1 billion SESLOC Federal Credit Union in San Luis Obispo and California Credit Union League board chair.

“Ultimately, successful advocacy comes down to relationships at the local level,” LaChance said. “Personal relationships with policymakers are nurtured over time and are pivotal to credit unions’ ability to champion member and industry issues.”

Dykstra said she is confident that Simpson’s impressive qualifications will fuel the future success of the three trade groups and their joint support services organization.

“Scott’s decades of engagement in the credit union movement perfectly position him to lead the new partnership,” Dykstra said. “He is dedicated to the people helping people philosophy and with him at the helm, I know we can achieve even more impact, drive positive change, and empower each other to thrive and succeed in an ever-evolving landscape.”

Among other notable career accomplishments, Simpson was elected to the CUNA board in 2022 and currently serves as a board member for America’s Credit Unions. He has served as the chair of CULAC, the federal political action committee of CUNA, and the National Advocacy Fund, and dedicated nearly a decade on the board and ultimately served as chair of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues. Prior to his service in credit unions, Simpson worked for the U.S. Senate and in electoral politics advising candidates and campaigns at every level of government.

“In this expanded partnership, I am inspired by the possibilities that lie ahead,” Simpson said. “Together, we have the power to shape tomorrow into something extraordinary and I am excited to team up and reach into the future.”

The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues and the Utah Credit Union Association serve more than 330 credit unions and their 17 million members.