Mark Meyer will become Executive Director of the Filene Research Institute, effective January 1, 2007. The appointment was made by the Filene Administrative Board. Meyer will succeed Bob Hoel, who has been Executive Director of the national credit union industry’s think tank for 15 of its 18 years.
Meyer brings to the position a well-rounded background in credit union management and the personal skills and talents to develop effective programs for the Institute. For the past three and one-half years, he has been Filene’s Director of Innovation. He founded and leads Filene i3, a group comprised of next generation credit union leaders focused on identifying and implementing new products, services and business models that will transform the credit union industry.
Meyer has authored reports on innovation, young adults and other consumer finance issues, and is a frequent presenter at credit union industry events across North America on Filene research and innovation topics.
From 1995-2000 he served as Vice President of Human Resources and Legal Counsel at Arizona State Savings and Credit Union and later served as Assistant Vice President, CUNA Mutual Group. He was President, Western CUNA Management School (WCMS) Phi Class in 1997, 1998, and 1999, and received the WCMS 1999 Charlie M. Clark Award for Inspirational Leadership. Meyer holds a law degree from the University of Nebraska and a B.S. in Business from Northern Arizona University. He serves on the board of directors of Great Wisconsin Credit Union
Dr. Hoel will join the Institute’s prestigious Filene Fellows group – created by the Institute 14 months ago – as a Fellow in Residence. The group includes eight non-resident Filene Fellows who are leading researchers and subject experts at Harvard University, University of California-Berkeley, Cornell University, University of Virginia, Ohio State University, Arizona State University, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, and McKinsey and Company. In his new role, Dr. Hoel will focus on key research projects, and continue to present research findings to credit union audiences nationwide.
“Mark Meyer is an excellent choice,” says Hoel. “He’s talented, creative, and dedicated. He appreciates the value of independent, high-quality research and innovation to the credit union industry and to consumers of financial services. I look forward to seeing him lead the Institute during the next phases of its development. I also look forward to my new role at the Institute. Throughout my career, quality research and sharing research findings with decision-makers have been my passions. I now have an opportunity to focus on those two activities.”
“I am grateful for this unique opportunity to meet the challenges that will enable Filene to assist credit unions in meeting the needs of consumers today and in the future,” Meyer says. “To realize success in the future credit unions need a research institute that provides a breadth of relevant research and is a catalyst for success.”
Larry Knoll, Chairman, Filene Administrative Board says: “We are delighted that Mark has agreed to become our next Executive Director. The Board made its selection well in advance of the formal leadership change date to ensure a smooth, integrated transition. For the remainder of the year, Mark and Bob will work together much as they have in the past, so that Filene’s programs and projects will continue to provide value to the credit union community. All of us on the Board thank Bob for the outstanding leadership he has provided as Executive Director. We all are pleased that his relationship with the Institute will continue through the Filene Fellows program, and we expect that he will contribute significantly to Filene’s future success.”
Comments
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Congrats Mark!
What better way to offer you my congratulations that via your new, cool chat feature. You truly deserve this. The only bad thing is that Bob will be missed by many. I think Filene should do a nice “retirement” video for Bob ;)
Take care, Bruce
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Bruce – Thanks for the congratulations. I am humbled and honored to succeed Bob and lead the industry’s think tank.
Also, I am excited and ready to explore the opportunities that will enable Filene to assist credit unions in meeting the needs of consumers.
We at Filene are elated that Bob is joining our Filene Fellows as a Fellow in Residence and will continue to pursue his passions of research and presenting to credit union audiences across the world.
Were watching for you to receive an Academy Award for Best Director next year. Cheers and best, Mark
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Congratulations, Mark! I was delighted to hear the news. You are an excellent choice to take Filene forward.
And to Bob – thanks! You’ve always been an inspiration to me and so many others. Best wishes in your new role as a Filene Fellow, and thanks for serving as a trusted advisor to our Small CU Committee. We do hope you will keep in touch.
All the best, Mary Shipe
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Hey Mark, congrats! You’ll do a great job. I am looking forward when some of your i3 projects will ad even more nontraditional income for credit unions. Projects which provide varied sources of increased net income are needed! Craig Cobia
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Congratulations to both of you – Mark and Bob! This next stage will be exciting not only for each of you, but for all of us benefactors of the work that Filene has tirelessly pursued all these years. Mark, you’ve impressed me with your boundless energy and creative, timely ideas. And Bob, I’ve been grateful for your insightfulness in the research you’ve conducted all these years – it’s been wonderful to have an independent resource that has maintained its grounding in CU philosophy while rigorously studying the issues of our day and presenting informative, realistic solutions. I recommend membership in Filene to all of my clients and audiences alike. Keep up the great work! Jeanne Murphy
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This is an exciting time to be part of the CU Movement and I think we could all say an exciting time for F.R.I as well! I feel that Mark is the ideal appointment for the Director’s role and while he has big shoes to fill, he will do it very well. He always has come across to me as one of those rare people who can “walk with kings or commoners”. No matter which side of that statement you may fall on (I would be the latter), he can make you feel right at home and engage you with forward thinking. Both of these gentlemen really do care about our industry and their passion shows. This change only further strengthens my resolve to keep an eye on this think tank and to give careful consideration to their advice. Keep up the good work both of you!
Trent Mason Business Development Director Pittsburgh Teachers CU
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