Wesley Hall.
Credit/Valley First Credit Union
In 1957 Wesley Hall became chairman of the Board of Directors for Stanislaus County Federal Credit Union. Hall held that position for five decades as the Modesto, Calif.-based credit union eventually became Valley First Credit Union in 1999.
Hall was with the former Stanislaus County FCU from the early days when it began with $30,000 in assets and was run out of a member's garage in 1949. He led the credit union's board through mergers and helped grow and expand its membership until he stepped down in 2007 to become Valley First's director emeritus.
Hall died on Jan. 12, 2024 at the age of 100.
According to a statement from Valley First, Hall was a tireless advocate for the Modesto and surrounding communities where he served as president of the Retired Employees of Stanislaus County and later as president of the California Retired County Employees' Association. His leadership ensured the well-being of retirees, championing benefits and rights.
"Wes dedicated himself to numerous community organizations, leaving a lasting impact. He was an active member of the Exchange Club of Modesto, serving as Club President and District Governor. His commitment to youth welfare shone through the 'Youth of the Year Program' and various educational initiatives. Wes' love for community extended to his role as a founding member of the Modesto Swim and Racquet Club, a benefactor of the Modesto YMCA, and an active participant in SIR's Branch 144 and the Old Fisherman Club," according to his obituary.
But his first love was his credit union.
"Wesley Walter Hall was not just a past chairman or director emeritus; he was the heart and soul of Valley First Credit Union," Kathryn J. Davis, CEO of Valley First Credit Union, said. "His leadership, wisdom and unwavering dedication have been instrumental in shaping the credit union into what it is today. Wes leaves behind a profound legacy of service, integrity and compassion that will continue to inspire us all."
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the credit union movement, Hall was honored with the J. Alvin George Outstanding Volunteer Award from the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues during the REACH 2020 Conference.
"Valley First Credit Union extends its deepest condolences to the Hall family during this difficult time. Wes' memory will forever remain etched in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him," the credit union said in a prepared statement.
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Editor-in-Chief at CU Times. To connect, email at [email protected]. As Editor-in-Chief of CU Times since 2016, Michael Ogden has led the editorial team in all aspects of content strategy and execution, including the creation of the publication’s exclusive and proprietary research database of the credit union industry’s economic landscape. Under Michael’s leadership, CU Times has successfully shifted to an all-digital editorial product with new focuses on the payments, fraud, lending and regulatory beats. Most recently, he introduced a data-focused editorial product for subscribers that breaks down credit union issues into hard data, allowing for a deeper and more factual narrative for readers. In 2024, he launched the "Shared Accounts With CU Times" podcast, which offers a fresh, inside-the-newsroom perspective through interviews with leaders from the credit union industry and the regulatory world. He dives into pressing credit union issues, while revealing the personalities working behind-the-scenes to push the credit union world forward. His background includes years as a radio and TV anchor/reporter and a public relations and digital/social media manager, where he covered the food and music industries, as well as cooperatives and credit unions. Over the years, he has launched numerous exclusive video and podcast series, including a successful series of interactive backstage interviews with musicians at music festivals, showcasing his social media and live streaming production skills.
