CUNA
  • Advocacy
    • Priorities we’re fighting for
    • Actions you can take
  • News
  • Learn
  • Compliance
  • Shop
  • CUNA News
    • Policy & Issues
    • CU System
  • Credit Union Magazine
    • Technology
    • Lending
    • Compliance
    • Marketing
    • Management
    • Operations
    • Human Resources
    • Volunteers
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Buyers' Guide
  • Awards
    • CU Rock Star
    • CU Hero
Learn More about Member Value

News

Member Benefits
Learn more
Learn more about the benefits of membership.
Home » A Leader in Good Times and Bad
Management
Nancy Deavours

A Leader in Good Times and Bad

Nancy Deavours is credited with helping her CU survive through the uncertainty of the Great Recession.

September 30, 2014
No Comments

Deavors_Nancy_WEB_.jpg

NANCY DEAVOURS BEGAN WORKING at Merced (Calif.) School Employees Federal Credit Union in July 1967 as an 18-year-old community college student.

She started as a file clerk, working two hours a day, before working her way up the ladder to become president/CEO in 1993, when the credit union had less than $100 million in assets. Under her direction the credit has grown into a $406 million asset institution.

Deavours is credited with helping Merced School Employees Federal survive through the uncertainty of the Great Recession.

“We faced some very difficult years financially. Merced was No. 1 in foreclosures in the U.S. for a time, and our unemployment rate reached a record high of 26% at one point,” Deavours says.

She explains how the credit union made it through these tough times.

“We’re a great team, and there was no way we were going to let our members and our community down. We tightened our belts, figured out what we needed to do, and forged ahead. Even with the bad economy, I have always felt pride in the fact that I didn’t have to lay off any employees.”

But even though the credit union has emerged on the other side of the economic downtown, there’s still work to be done.

“When I became CEO, our credit union was thriving, and I’m determined that when I retire I will leave behind a thriving institution,” Deavours says.

Deavours attributes much of her grit and spirit to her childhood growing up on a ranch.

“I grew up on a dairy ranch, fed my share of baby calves with bottles and buckets of milk, chased cows that got out in the middle of the night, and learned how to drive a tractor at age 10,” she says.

Dana Lorenzo, the credit union’s marketing manager, says Deavours is a well-respected leader for many reasons.

“She’s caring, hardworking, dedicated, and committed to our members,” Lorenzo says. “Because of her honesty and integrity, she’s very well-respected by her staff and the community.”

Deavours leads her employees, volunteers, and members—whom she refers to as her “extended family”—in an approachable, down-to-earth manner.

“I have an open-door policy and I don’t ask my staff to do anything I wouldn’t be willing to do myself,” she says.

KEYWORDS credit union deavours employees Rock Stars RS14
  • Related Articles

    Ready for Fed Action?

    New CUNA CEO Ready to Tackle CUs’ Top Priorities

    Retiring CEO Takes Pride in Serving Blue-Collar Workers

Post a comment to this article

Report Abusive Comment

This Month Payments: Perils and Promise

Payments: Perils and Promise

The payments arena offers new opportunities to connect with members.
Cards Are (Still) King

Cards Are (Still) King

Credit and debit cards still drive the competitive payments market.
Open Banking on its Way

Open Banking on its Way

Prepare for the impact it will have on member relationships and competitive positioning.
App Digital Edition Subscribe

Trending

  • Compliance: New mortgage servicing rules now effective

  • Senate OKs CUNA-backed disapproval of CFPB lending bulletin

  • Nussle issues statement after NCUA responds to Sen. Hatch

Tweets from @CUmagazine and @CUNA_News

Polls

How often do you talk to the board about compensation?

View Results
More

Champion of America’s Credit Unions

Credit Union National Association is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions. We work tirelessly to protect your best interests in Washington and all 50 states. We fuel your professional growth at every level and champion the credit union story at every turn.

More CUNA

  • About
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Recommended Websites

Resources for

  • Credit Union Advocates
  • Leagues
  • Press
  • Vendors