BREMERTON — Kitsap Credit Union announced in a press release on Thursday, April 12 the retirement of Elliot Gregg, President and CEO of Kitsap Credit Union, effective January 16, 2019.

Gregg joined the credit union as President and CEO in March 2000, and they had just opened their ninth branch all located in Kitsap County with about $398 million in total assets. Over his 18-year tenure, Gregg led the credit union to new heights. The credit union has tripled in size with over $1.2 billion in total assets and 15 branches spanning four counties, and one soon to be opening in the Greater Pierce County region.

“This is a momentous occasion for me and my wife Maureen as it concludes 19 years that I have served this very special credit union,” Gregg said in the press release. “I am deeply grateful for enormous support of the Board, management, staff, and community over the past two decades.”

Board Chair Jim Rowson commented, “I speak for the Board and KCU membership as a whole, that we are thankful for Elliot’s leadership as our CEO and wish Elliot and Maureen a most deserved and relaxing retirement.”

From the beginning, Gregg sought to honor the history of the credit union, which started in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard as Navy Yards Metal Trade Credit Union in 1934, as well as usher the credit union into progressive new territory — physically and digitally.

His vision for Kitsap Credit Union has not only transformed the credit union, but the surrounding communities as well. In 2006, Gregg spearheaded the construction of Kitsap Credit Union’s new corporate office in downtown Bremerton. The commitment Gregg displayed to not only acknowledge the shipyard roots of the credit union by building Kitsap Credit Union’s headquarters next door, but also to reinvigorate the downtown Bremerton economic landscape into a family friendly location, was momentous and unprecedented.

Throughout his almost two decades, Gregg and Kitsap Credit Union were awarded for their good work both in the credit union industry and in the community. Industry recognition included Kitsap Credit Union being named the 2014 Department of the Navy Credit Union of the Year. Several times, Kitsap Credit Union was awarded both the Credit Union National Association’s Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility and Louise Herring Philosophy in Action Responsibility awards. Additionally, Kitsap Credit Union was recognized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for its community service.

Locally, Kitsap Credit Union was recognized by the Bremerton Housing Authority with the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials Award in Excellence Program Innovation, the CARES of Washington Employer Recognition, the Jen Southworth Community Service Award from the Literary Council of Kitsap County, and the Olympic College Community Partnership Award, to name a few.

In May 2012, Gregg and his wife Maureen were recognized by the Kitsap Community Foundation and given the Hannah Langer Spirit of Philanthropy Award. In August 2013, Gregg was honored by the Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce with their Thunderbird Award for his exemplary commitment to the community. In March 2018, Gregg and his wife were honored by the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance with the Economic Development Lifetime Achievement Award.

Despite the numbers and awards, Gregg shared that his greatest measure of success has been the people he’s worked with and the community members he’s been able to engage. Gregg’s leadership was characterized by always searching for ways to enhance Kitsap Credit Union’s value to its community through products and services, but also through active participation.

Gregg’s legacy with Kitsap Credit Union will include branching into the digital realm, increasing efficiency through employee feedback, a 2012 merger with Quimper Credit Union, the launch of a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week, 365-day-a-year call center, and encouraging excellent member service through focused staff training and team building.

During his time with Kitsap Credit Union, Gregg served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Washington Credit Union League (now the Northwest Credit Union Association), among other titles. While with the league, he was thoroughly involved in the initial negotiations that ultimately brought the leagues of Oregon and Washington together to birth the Northwest Credit Union Association.

Additionally, Gregg served as the Treasurer, Vice Chair, and Chair of the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, the Chair of the Bremerton Rotary Interact Club Committee, and a member as well as Treasurer and Chair of the Harrison Medical Center Foundation.

The board of Kitsap Credit Union is currently engaged in a nationwide search to select a new President/CEO, retaining the recruiting firm DDJ Meyers. Gregg commented, “My highest priority this remaining year is to work closely with the Board in insuring a smooth transition to the next executive leadership. I am proud to present to the next CEO a management and staff of highest competency that will be great support to him or her in continuing the great success of Kitsap Credit Union.”