In Memory of Gary VandeVenter
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals joins the VandeVenter family and the credit union industry in mourning and celebrating the life of Gary VandeVenter.
Gary had a storied career in the credit union industry; he started as the President/CEO of NW Farmers Insurance Group FCU (now NW Preferred FCU) in 1976. For twenty years, until his retirement in 1996, Gary was a mover and shaker in the credit union industry. One of his most important professional achievements is helping to create the Credit Unions for Kids program in Portland and SW Washington and bringing the program to CMN Hospitals for it to be a national effort.
Gary spent a few years on his own trying to get the program off the ground. Eventually, Gary hooked Tom Sargent (previous President/CEO at First Tech FCU) and Roger Michaelis (previous President/CEO at iQ Credit Union) into taking over the lead on fundraising efforts. Even though Gary passed the leadership reigns off to Tom and Roger, he was still very involved and volunteered to help at every fundraising event.
Roger says, “Gary saw an opportunity for credit unions to make a greater impact in their community outreach. He understood that if we all put our efforts into one significant organization our impact would be greater. He rallied around Doernbacher Children’s Hospital.”