Our Founder

The Co-Ops 4 Change Movement was launched by a group of credit union industry experts in February of 2013 to promote adherence to cooperative principles in the credit union industry and transparency at the NCUA.

Chip Filson is a co-founder of the Co-Ops 4 Change movement. He is also a co-founder of Callahan & Associates and currently serves as the company’s chairman of the board or directors. A nationally recognized leader in the credit union industry, Chip is a frequent speaker and consultant for the credit union movement. He has more than a quarter century of experience in government, financial institutions, and business, and he co-founded Callahan & Associates in 1985. He’s held concurrent positions at the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) as president of the Central Liquidity Facility (CLF) and director of the Office of Examinations. He holds a magna cum laude undergraduate degree in government from Harvard University. After being awarded a Rhodes Scholarship, he earned a master’s degree in politics, philosophy, and economics from Oxford University in England. He also holds a master’s degree in management from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School in Chicago.

Curriculum Vitae

Charles “Chip” Filson

Born:

Waukegan, Illinois, October 12, 1944-One of eight children, two adopted. Father Presbyterian Minister

Education:

  • 1962 Springfield High School, Springfield, Ill. Co-valedictorian
  • 1962-1966: Harvard University, AB Magna cum Laude, Government
  • 1966-1968: Merton College, Oxford University, BA/MA Politics, Philosophy, Economics on Rhodes Scholarship
  • 1977-1981: Northwestern University, MM (MBA) evening program

Military:

April 1969-July 1973: Active duty, Lt USNR; Supply Officer USS Windham Cty, LST 1170 and USN Supply Depot, Yokosuka, Japan. Honorable discharge.

Employment:

  • 1973-1977: First National Bank of Chicago, International Banking Officer with primary assignment in the bank’s Sydney, Australia representative office
  • 1977-1981: Supervisor, Credit Union Division, Department of Financial Institutions, for the
    State of Illinois
  • 1981-1985: Director, Office of Programs; President of the Central Liquidity Facility, CEO of NCUSIF for the National Credit Union Administration, Washington DC
  • 1985-Present: Co-founder and President (now Chairman) of Callahan and Associates, the premier firm for credit union analysis. Washington DC

Personal:

Married to Joan Pinkerton. Two children and four grandchildren. Deacon, Georgetown Presbyterian Church and choir member; Member National Men’s Chorus. Former basketball player, avid swimmer.