MIDDLETON, Wis. – Bob Dorsa, founder of the American Credit Union Mortgage Association, has stepped away from the organization.
Dorsa is known to many in credit unions for both his work at ACUMA and prior to that, the National Association of CUSOS (NACUSO).
Dorsa has handed the reins as president of ACUJA to longtime colleague Tracy Ashfield in 2020, and he has served as senior advisor for ACUMA for the past 15 months, the organization said.
“I just felt it was time for me to step away,” Dorsa said in a statement. “I've had the opportunity to watch ACUMA grow for more than two decades, and that brings me a lot of satisfaction.”
Dorsa said he intends to keep serving credit unions until at least 2024, and possibly beyond, “as long as I still have fuel in my tank.”
With the COVID pandemic receding, Dorsa added, “Credit unions will have great opportunities for growth, and I hope my experience can lend a hand.”
As a founder and then president, Dorsa led the growth of ACUMA from a handful of credit unions to become the largest association of CU mortgage lenders with more than 400 member owners, including most of the Top 300 mortgage-originating credit unions, the organization said.
This year ACUMA marks its 25th anniversary.
Dorsa served as ACUMA president from 2005 to 2019 and managed all facets of the non-profit's activities and served as its official industry spokesperson. Dorsa also handled event meeting planning and business operations for the association. Under Dorsa, ACUMA built a relationship with the National Association of Realtors (NAR), and the association staffed an exhibit at NAR’s annual conference from 2003 to 2019, the organization reported.
Long Career
Dorsa’s credit union career began in 1974, and he has held executive management positions at several credit unions. Dorsa cofounded NACUSO and served as that association’s president for more than 15 years. Dorsa presided over both associations from 1996 to 2005, when he took on the ACUMA role full time.
“Bob's knowledge and experience with credit union real estate lending led to the creation of ACUMA, and he has always believed that real estate lending is the most important issue facing credit unions,” said Ashfield. “We will miss his leadership and counsel, and we wish him the best for the future.”