New Board Chair Chosen to Lead First West Credit Union

SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - May 13, 2011) - Abbotsford businessman Shawn Neumann was elected chair of First West's board of directors earlier this week following the credit union's annual general meeting. Also elected were vice-chair Colleen Lister and board secretary Stewart Ladyman, both of Penticton.

Neumann, who succeeds outgoing chair Terry Enns, was first elected to the First Heritage Credit Union board in 1998, and was recently re-elected by acclamation for another three-year term. He has been a member of the credit union family for three decades and most recently served as First West board secretary. Neumann is currently the president and founder of a B.C.-based technology company and an active community volunteer.

Outgoing chair Enns was first elected to the First Heritage Credit Union board in 1980. In 1994 he was elected chair and, following a number of mergers, served for 17 years as chair with First Heritage, Envision and First West credit unions. Enns opted not to stand for re-election as chair this year so he can dedicate more time to his role as vice-chair of Central 1 Credit Union and other provincial and national credit union system commitments. Enns will remain a First West director.

"As Terry's impressive tenure shows, he has been an important part of First West and its predecessor credit unions for many years," says First West CEO Launi Skinner. "He is a great supporter of our unique multi-brand model and is actively championing the direction we are taking our credit union. While Terry's experience as chair will certainly be missed, Shawn's expertise and passion for First West will continue to build and strengthen our credit union."

Lister, who was re-elected vice-chair, joined the Valley First board of directors in 1998. She also served as the Valley First board chair before the formation of First West on Jan. 1, 2010. Lister is a certified general accountant and has been a partner in the accounting firm Harvey, Lister and Webb since 1996.

Originally a director on the Valley First board from 1993 to 1996, Ladyman was re-elected to the Valley First board in April 2009. However, his credit union association dates back further. He has been member of various credit unions since 1971, and served as president of Armstrong Spallumcheen Savings and Credit Union from 1985 to 1988. A B.C. public school educator for 33 years, Ladyman now runs his own education consulting firm.

About First West Credit Union
First West Credit Union offers members the financial strength, comprehensive product selection and extended branch network of a large financial institution while maintaining local brand identities and a unique grassroots approach to service. First West is British Columbia's third-largest credit union with $6.2 billion in assets under administration, 167,000 members and 1,300 employees. It operates 37 branches throughout the province under the Envision Financial and Valley First brands. For more information on First West Credit Union, visit firstwestcu.ca.