Doug Fecher, who has been an executive at Wright-Patt Credit Union in Fairborn, Ohio, for 26 years and was president and CEO since the end of 2000, will retire by the end of this year.
Fecher’s successor will be announced before the end of the year, Wright-Patt said in a Tuesday press release. The credit union's board of directors formed a search committee to review internal and external candidates, and has hired a third-party recruiter.
The Dayton Business Journal named Fecher its Executive of the Year in 2020. Wright-Patt was also listed as the best bank or credit union in the publication last year.
“Credit unions are national treasures. I believe nothing else matters except the welfare of our members,” Fecher said.
During Fecher's tenure, Wright-Patt launched the Sunshine Community Fund, which has raised over $2 million to support nonprofits near Dayton, Ohio.
Under Fecher's leadership, WPCU grew from assets of $596 million in 2000 to $6.7 billion this year. The credit union’s membership grew from 156,000 to 432,000 since he became CEO in December 2000.
Before assuming the top role, Fecher joined WPCU as vice president of lending in 1995. He served as chief operating officer before his promotion to the top job.
WPCU has returned more than $83 million to members in a “special patronage dividend” since 2008. More than 1,172 employees work at Wright-Patt Credit Union.
