Richard Cooper, retired CEO of Mendo Lake Credit Union, was among those honored at this year’s California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues’ REACH Conference.
Cooper received the Leagues’ Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes credit union professionals’ service to the industry particularly within the last three years. He was honored during the annual meeting and convention for the Ontario, CA-based trade association for the two states, held Nov. 5-8 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert.
Cooper was recognized for his work within the credit union industry as well as for being a passionate community advocate. Under his leadership, Mendo Lake CU (which recently completed a successful merger with Community First Credit Union of Santa Rosa, CA) gained national recognition for its commitment to expanding access to affordable financial services and credit for low-income consumers as well as to rural Lake and Mendocino counties.
In 2015, when fires devastated Lake County, resulting in huge losses in homes and businesses, Cooper and Mendo Lake were among the first to step in to initiate relief efforts. The credit union—in partnership with local non-profit North Coast Opportunities, the National Credit Union Foundation, and other local credit unions—helped distribute more than $1.5 million to residents and businesses in need, helping with much-needed recovery efforts.
In accepting his award, Cooper recalled his 40-plus career within the credit union industry and the various positions he held at different credit unions, starting with a credit union in Alaska. He officially retired from Mendo Lake CU in January 2017.
“I want to thank the League for all it has done; and it has been a great honor to have been involved with credit unions,” he added.
