PHOENIX/DENVER–Scott Earl, the well-known president and CEO of the Mountain West Credit Union Association, has announced plans to retire at the end of June 2022.
Earl has served in his current role since the formation of MWCUA in 2011 with the merger of the Arizona Credit Union League, the Credit Union Association of Colorado, and the Credit Union Association of Wyoming. At the time of the merger, Earl was serving as president and CEO of the Arizona league, a position he held since 2007.
The MWCUA noted Earl’s career has spanned nearly 40 years, beginning in 1982 as the marketing director at the Utah Credit Union League. He spent 22 years with that organization, the last 12 years as CEO.
“He also had the opportunity to run the Credit Unions for Kids Program at Children’s Miracle Network and serve as vice president of league relations and disaster preparedness at CUNA,” the MWCUA said.
The MWCUA said it has named a search committee to determine the “path forward.”
‘Been Blessed’
“I have been tremendously blessed to work in such a meaningful and fulfilling movement throughout my entire career,” Earl said. “I have had many opportunities to work alongside colleagues whose passion and heart have developed credit unions into what they are today, the consumer’s best financial partner. I’m proud of our efforts at the Association, having created a regional system of support and collaboration for our members. I’m certain the work we began with the formation of the Association in 2011 and over the past decade is a solid foundation for an exciting and bright future.”
Career Accomplishments
The association noted that during his tenure, Earl:
- Championed the use of blockchain technology leading to the creation of CULedger, now Bonifii, which enables trusted digital transactions.
- Sought new and innovative ways to serve credit unions in compliance, which led to a partnership with AffirmX. This later led to the purchase of the AffirmX technology with seven other leagues and service organizations to create CU Risk Intelligence (CURI).
- Helped oversee the expansion of Credit Union Vendor Management (CUVM), a CUSO originally owned by eight Colorado credit unions and MWCUA. It was purchased by MWCUA, CU Solutions Group and Leverage, and “has grown into another effective solution for credit unions.”
- Was a member of the first Development Educator (DE) class in 1982. “Scott was instrumental in the early years of this program serving as a mentor and member of the core staff,” the association said. The DE Program is administered through the National Credit Union Foundation.
- Spent several weeks in Moldova working with a small international group to draft the country’s first Credit Union Act.
- Worked closely with Utah credit union leaders to beat back each attack by the state’s bankers when Utah became the epicenter of such attacks.
- Assisted and supported MWCUA members during the COVID-19 pandemic, including spearheading efforts to recognize credit unions on the state level with designations as “essential services,” and actively participated with each state’s leadership’s emergency response. Earl helped further “support members through the creation of a pandemic-specific resource bank on the MWCUA website, and organizing regular town hall meetings with legislators, regulators, economists, and other subject-matter experts to assist credit unions as financial first responders.”
- Redefined and built out a grassroots political advocacy engagement system that continues to grow and be a model for other leagues.
‘Heartfelt Gratitude’
“The board of directors expresses its heartfelt gratitude for Scott’s tireless dedication and service, not only to the credit unions in the Mountain West region, but to the entire credit union movement itself,” said Todd Marksberry, board chair and president & CEO of Canvas Credit Union in Lone Tree, Colo. “Scott’s leadership, integrity and heart for our credit unions, our members and our communities has been an inspiration for so many credit union leaders over the years. And his legacy of servant leadership will have a lasting impact on our credit union family for many years to come. We thank Scott and wish him, his wife, Bonny, and their family all the best in his retirement.”
In addition to his work at MWCUA, Scott serves on the CUNA board, is treasurer of Credit Union House, serves on the boards of Plexity, Bonifii, League Infosight, and CU Risk Intelligence. Earl is also a past member of the CUNA Strategic Services (CSS) board, was chairman of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL), chaired the Credit Union Legislative Action Council (CULAC), was on the Filene Research Institute’s board and served twice as a trustee for Western CUNA Management School.