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SAN DIEGO - As Shirlee Bowne finishes her tenure as National Credit Union Administration vice chair, she leaves a credit union believer. "I arrived a novice," she admitted. "I leave a believer."
Bowne's remarks came at the annual Defense Credit Union Council conference. Her term expired in April but she is remaining on the board until a successor is confirmed by the Senate, which could happen this fall.
Dennis Dollar, president and chief executive officer of Gulfport VA Federal Credit Union in Gulfport, Miss., has been nominated to fill her position.
Bowne described Dollar as a "very excellent nominee," citing his background in the credit union industry.
"You're indeed fortunate that someone will be coming in that has a background in credit unions already ... and who knows something about NCUA," she said.
LITTLE CU KNOWLEDGE
Bowne said she knew little about credit unions when she was appointed to the board in 1991 for a six-year term. "When I came in ... there was no way I could fully appreciate at the beginning of my term back in 1991 just how fortunate I was to be coming into the industry at that time," she said. "I can fully appreciate it now."
Back then, as is the case now, credit unions were strong, healthy and growing, as well as highly regarded by lawmakers in Washington, she recalled.
"When we went up on the Hill...