Joe Schroeder honored by California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues
Courtesy photo.
VENTURA COUNTY — Joe Schroeder, retired president and CEO of Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU), was honored at the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues’ REACH Conference. Schroeder received the Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award, the Leagues’ highest honor.
The Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes excellence in credit union philosophy and a lifetime of contributions to the credit union industry. Schroeder was recognized for his years of service to the credit union industry, including serving as president and CEO of VCCU for 10 years. Under Schroeder’s leadership, VCCU significantly expanded its community involvement, including participating in and/or sponsoring hundreds of local organizations and events each year.
“I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition, and I couldn’t have done it without the help of so many incredible people along the way,” Schroeder said. “Thank you to the VCCU board, leadership team and staff for your hard work, passion and support — because of you, we have been able to make a lasting, meaningful difference in our community.”
Among Schroeder’s early initiatives at VCCU was an agricultural outreach program to bring financial services to traditionally unbanked populations. Two years after the program was instituted, one of these early members purchased their first home through VCCU.
In addition, Schroeder and his team began a partnership in 2015 with the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging to hold seminars focused on financial management, identity protection, and elder financial abuse. In 2019, VCCU became the first local credit union to earn certification as a dementia-friendly organization.
In 2015, Schroeder helped to launch The Foundation of Ventura County Credit Union, which provides financial assistance and education to local community partners — emphasizing helping the underserved, beautification and preservation of the environment, and the health and well-being of the region.
During the Thomas Fire in late 2017, Schroeder supported efforts of the American Red Cross and FEMA by offering free space in VCCU facilities for more than three months during and after the fire. The credit union also implemented a program to provide marketing and promotional support to small local businesses that suffered loss of revenue during the critical holiday shopping period.
For more information about VCCU, please visit https://www.vccuonline.net
ABOUT VENTURA COUNTY CREDIT UNION — Ventura County Credit Union was chartered in 1950. It is the largest credit union headquartered in Ventura County, with eight offices, more than 80,000 members and more than $1 billion in total assets. VCCU offers a complete line of loans, federally insured savings, 24-hour electronic access services and more. Call 1-800-339-0496 or visit http://www.vccuonline.net for more information.