The credit union industry ismourning the loss of one of the top influential leaders in themovement over the last four decades.

GeneO'Rourke, the founder of O'Rourke & Associates LLC in SanFrancisco, passed away April 22 after a battle with an aggressiveform of lymphoma.

He was 70.

“All of us on the O'Rourke team are deeply saddened by the lossof Gene. His contributions to the credit union industry over thepast 40 years will have a lasting impact on our clients for yearsto come,” O'Rourke & Associates CEO Mike Juratovac said. “He'sbeen an inspiration and mentor to so many and his leadership andfriendship will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers continueto be with the O'Rourke family during this difficult time.”

With credentials that included CPA and certified fraud examiner,O'Rourke founded and ran RSM McGladrey's credit union internalaudit co-sourcing unit.

Under O'Rourke's leadership, the California firm became one ofthe top credit union executive recruitment firms in the U.S. Last year,O'Rourke was voted by his credit union colleagues as one of CUTimes' Final Four most influential leaders in the industry over thelast 25 years.

“I've had the honor and privilege to work with Gene for the past15 years,” Juratovac said. “He built his business and reputation onabsolute quality and integrity and developed a culture for all ofus here at O'Rourke that enabled us to flourish as professionals,individuals and as a team.”

In addition to executive recruitment, O'Rourke expanded hisservices to human resources consulting, compensation and retentionanalysis, leadership development and succession planning for manycredit unions around the country. In addition to credit unions,O'Rourke also served banks, insurance companies and other financialinstitutions.

“Gene had an enormous impact on the credit union industry. He was a guiding light from a leadership development perspectiveand as an advisor, facilitated prudent financial management,” SusanMitchell, CEO of Mitchell, Stankovic and Associates in BoulderCity, Nev., said.

Mitchell was a former partner of O'Rourke, Mitchell andAssociates.

“Gene was an entrepreneur who grew his business and garneredmuch respect over the course of his career,” she said. “He touchedmany lives and helped to shape the careers of hundreds of creditunion executives. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and tohis colleagues.”

A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Teresa of AvilaChurch in San Francisco.

In lieu of flowers, the O'Rourke family welcomes donations tothe John P. and Helen R. O'Rourke scholarship funds at BellarmineCollege Prep in San Jose.