TUKWILA, Wash.—Parker Cann, SVP and general counsel with $15-billion BECU here and well known to many in credit unions, announced he will retire at year-end.
Cann joined BECU as SVP/general counsel in May 2009 and has more than 20 years’ experience in credit unions. Prior to joining BECU, Cann served as president/CEO of Columbia Credit Union, Vancouver, Wash. And prior to that he headed the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions. In a statement, BECU said that while Cann was at DFI he strengthened the Division of Credit Unions and streamlined the state’s credit union statute and rules, particularly in regard to field of membership and MBL. During his career Cann also dedicated significant time to the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS), and also served on the board of directors of the Northwest Credit Union Association.
“Parker’s counsel has enabled BECU to meet the demands of the times. He has built a strong governance, risk, and compliance team to support the credit union’s growth” said BECU President/CEO Benson Porter. “With his extensive background and experience, Parker has been able to provide valuable insight into legislative, regulatory and corporate governance matters affecting BECU and the industry. He has played a key role in helping to shape the Washington State Credit Union Act over the last 20 years.”
Effective Nov. 1, John Stewart, who joined BECU one year ago as vice president of enterprise risk, will be promoted to senior vice president, chief risk officer to lead the team of legal, risk and compliance professionals.
Prior to BECU, Stewart spent five years as the chief risk officer for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle. He is a lecturer for the University of Washington and a board member for the Institute for Family Development in Seattle
Also effective Nov. 1, Mike Ryan, BECU vice president and deputy general counsel will be promoted to vice president and general counsel.