BILLINGS, Mont.– Valley Credit Union has announced the retirement of CEO, Darla Card, and named a successor. Separately, Irene Oberbauer, the former CEO of San Diego County CU has died at 64.
In Montana, Valley Credit Union has named current SVP-Branch Administration Casey Klein to succeed Card, effective Jan. 16. Card has led VCU for a decade.
“Darla has played an invaluable role in supporting our credit union over the past twelve years,” said Klein. “She has worked endlessly to guarantee our credit union keeps pace with the changing needs of our membership while simultaneously preserving our core values and propelling the impact we have been able to make within our community by following her passion and applying the credit union philosophy of people helping people. We are forever grateful for her dedication and wish her the best in this next chapter.”
Card began in financial services in 1978 and joined Valley CU in February of 2009 as chief lending officer before being named interim CEO in July of 2014 and then officially CEO in November of the same year, becoming its first female CEO in the process.
Card has overseen growth to $332 million in assets from $201 million, overseen a move to a state charter, and assisted in the opening of the credit union’s new branch in Bozeman.
‘What I Love to Do’
“Valley Credit Union has allowed me to do what I love while also having the unique opportunity to serve and enrich the community that has given so much to me,” said Card. “It has been an honor to work with this progressive and compassionate organization. I am eager to watch the credit union continue to grow and I’m confident that it will have immense success through the next generation of leaders.”
Klein has more than 15 years of experience in the financial industry and has been with Valley CU since 2008. In addition to overseeing the CU’s nine branches, he has also overseen mortgage and commercial lending.
Long-Time Leader Passes Way
Separately, Irene Oberbauer, 64, retired president and CEO of San Diego County Credit Union, has passed away.
Oberbauer served as CEO of SDCCU from 2007 through 2010 and oversaw growth to $4.9-billion in assets from $3.8 billion. Oberbauer initially joined the credit union in 1995 to head up business development and served in a number of capacities at the credit union for 12 years—including as chief operating officer before becoming the CU’s first female president and CEO.
During her career Oberbauer oversaw growth to 212,000 members, and 28 branches, and helped the CU to gain exposure as the title sponsor of college football’s Poinsettia Bowl in 2005, and later, the Holiday Bowl.
She received multiple awards through the years, including a lifetime achievement award from the San Diego Business Journal and “Most Admired CEO” awards from the Business Journal and San Diego’s Daily Transcript.
‘Rare & Inspirational Leadership’
“Oberbauer had a rare and inspirational leadership style, one of inclusion, fairness, and unwavering support, never looking for accolades. She was quick to recognize achievements while inspiring her team to reach for the next big goal both professionally and personally,” the credit union said. “Her philosophies in life were very clear: work hard and efficiently, care for people who work for you or with you, be fair in every decision you make, provide tokens and reminders that you care, and above all, get things done.”
After retiring from the credit union, Oberbauer focused on continuing to support non-profits including Susan G. Komen San Diego and Make-A-Wish San Diego.
"I had the pleasure of working with Irene at SDCCU for 15 years," said Lisa Paul-Hill, now CEO of Wheelhouse Credit Union in San Diego. "Irene was an incredible leader, passionate about the credit union movement and local philanthropy. A true visionary many could argue the success of SDCCU was due largely in part to Irene’s strategic vision, tireless dedication, and tenacity. Irene left a lasting and immeasurable impact on the lives of those she mentored and will be greatly missed.”
Where to Make Donations
Oberbauer is survived by her husband of 38 years, Tom, and their adult sons, Paul (along with his wife Lauren and daughter Gwen) and Sean. To carry on her philanthropic spirit, donations in her name may be made to Make-A- Wish San Diego at Donate—Make-A-Wish or Komen San Diego at Susan G. Komen San Diego