After 37 years our CEO/President is retiring at the end of this year…
With the passage of time comes many events in one’s life. Some events are more special than others, and one of those special events is retirement. After 37 years our CEO and President, David Ritch is retiring at the end of this year. It is hard to put into words the impact David has had on Tri-Town Teachers Federal Credit Union. David’s leadership has guided the credit union from a financial institution of under 10 million in assets, to one that is over 23 million. Needless to say, that is no small accomplishment. Since David became an employee in 1983 and CEO/President in 1988, hundreds of similar size credit unions no longer exist. Some failed and were taken over, others merged into larger credit unions and in the process lost their identity as a member service organization. Among the many accomplishments during David’s tenure, and one that he is most proud of, was purchasing the building where we now conduct business. In 1988 David was informed that the Credit Union’s lease was not going to be renewed. Having few reasonably priced rental spaces available in town, David worked with the Town of Westport to purchase the “Carriage House” at 61 Jesup Rd. Because of David’s foresight, we have had a stabile office to service our members from for over 30 years.
As David turns the page to another chapter in his life, he leaves the Credit union having committed the better part of his professional life to providing the service that our membership has come to expect. David always put the interest of the membership first. Whether providing much needed financial advice, or helping a member through difficult times, David never forgot what Tri-Town Teachers Credit Union stands for… our Members. There are countless stories of how David went the extra mile to help a member. Never looking for praise, David sees each member as a person, not a number. As cliché as that sounds, it best describes David’s relationship with our members. He not only knows most by name, but also knows their family, where they work, and the good and bad times they went through. Relationships matter, and David made sure that is how Tri-Town Teachers Credit Union treated each member.
With David’s retirement, the Board of Directors want our membership to know that he leaves the Credit Union in good hands. Shaun Mee will assume the position of President/CEO, Antonia Perez as VP of Operations and Member Service, Faith Bader as Senior Member Service Representative, Barbara Octavio as Operation Specialist, and Barb Schade as Member Service Representative.
Winston S. Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” If Churchill is correct, than David will leave with a Life filled by the many lives he touched for the better.
Please join Tri-Town Teachers’ Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee and staff in wishing David all the best in retirement. If you would like to reach out to David and wish him well, he can be reached by at 203.227.8511, or email at, dritch@tritownteachers.org.
