New CEO Named at $4 Billion Patelco Credit Union

April 27, 2009 - PRLog -- San Francisco, CA---- Patelco Credit Union’s CEO, Andy Hunter, announced last July that he intended to retire in mid-2009.  The time was right for Hunter but he wanted to provide ample time for the credit union’s Board to find the right replacement.  Patelco’s Board launched an exhaustive nine-month search, interviewed countless candidates, yet ultimately they found the next CEO for this storied credit union right in its own backyard.  This week, Patelco’s Board made it official.  Effective May 1, Ken Burns will step in as the next CEO at the $4.1 billion Patelco Credit Union.    

“We went through a long and deliberate national search to find the right person who could continue to provide the strong leadership and vision Patelco enjoyed from both Ed Callahan and Andy Hunter over the last  two decades,”  says John Rubino, Chairman of the Board at Patelco.  “We are confident we have found such a person in Ken Burns and look forward with great anticipation to his coming on board.”

Ken Burns is currently serving his 13th year as CEO at the$1.3 billion Technology Credit Union based in San Jose.  He began his career with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and working as an auditor at what is now known as McGladrey and Pullen Accountancy Corp.  From there, he moved over to serve as Accounting Manager at San Mateo Credit Union, then CFO at Bay Federal Credit Union in Santa Cruz, where he was also CEO for six years until 1995 when he moved over to serve as CEO at Technology Credit Union.  .

Similar to his predecessors at Patelco, Burns is regarded as a progressive administrator with a clear focus for navigating the current economic challenges with a long-term vision of growth.  

“There is no question that there are significant short term economic problems to be faced but I remain confident they are manageable,” Burns says.  “When our members struggle, the credit union suffers but we are prepared for such challenges.  Long term, the future at Patelco is incredibly bright.  I am honored and excited to be joining an exceptional Board and staff committed and focused on bringing increasing value to the Patelco member.”

Burns joins the prestigious and notably short roster of CEOs who have left their mark on the progressive Patelco Credit Union.  The retiring CEO, Andy Hunter, joined Patelco in 1990 to work under the very progressive CEO, Ed Callahan, when Patelco’s assets had just reached $400 million, a far cry from the $4.1 billion, 289,000 members at Patelco today.  When Callahan retired in 2003, Hunter took the helm and the growth, enhancement, and expansion of services continued.  

Now Hunter will pass the baton to Ken Burns when the transition period begins May 1.  Burns and Hunter will work together for a short period to ensure a smooth transition.

Burns has served in many professional organizations including a term as the past chapter president of the California Credit Union League.  He also sat on the task force of the California Department of Financial Institutions on Prompt Corrective Action.  .  He is a Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE) and Certified Chief Executive (CCE).  Burns has also served in his community by sitting on the boards of the regional municipal water district and the local school district.

Ken Burns resides in Scotts Valley, California where he enjoys tennis, scuba diving and an occasional round of golf.

Patelco Credit Union was founded in 1936 to serve employees of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company.  Since then, Patelco has grown to become one of the largest credit unions in the United States.

A state-chartered credit union, Patelco maintains its headquarters at 156 Second Street, San Francisco, California.  Patelco operates offices throughout California and in the Chicago, Illinois metro area.  Patelco members also have full access to services through the CU Service Centers network, a nationwide network of shared credit union branches, and online at www.Patelco.org.