Communication Federal Credit Union Names Wes Dunbar Board Chairman; Mirl Whisman Named Chairman Emeritus
OKLAHOMA CITY, October 22, 2026 – Communication Federal Credit Union (CFCU) is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has elected Wes Dunbar as Board Chairman. Dunbar brings more than three decades of credit union board experience, a deep commitment to serving members, and a career of leadership in the energy industry.
Dunbar succeeds Mirl Whisman, who is retiring after 39 years on the CFCU Board of Directors, including 33 years as Chairman. Under Whisman’s leadership, CFCU grew from a regional credit union into one of the strongest financial institutions in the nation. Along the way it completed mergers with ONECU Federal Credit Union, Southern Oklahoma Federal Credit Union, Electrical Workers Credit Union, Baptist Building Federal Credit Union and East Central Credit Union, and grew to more than $2.3 billion in assets. In recognition of his service, the Board unanimously elected Whisman Chairman Emeritus.
“I was delighted that the board unanimously elected Mirl as Chairman Emeritus,” said Dunbar. “Mirl’s long tenure and exemplary service is worthy of this honor. But more importantly, it keeps him well connected to the board to serve as an advisor and mentor as we continue on our journey of providing excellent services to our members and the communities within which they live.”
“Mirl has shaped the character of this credit union for nearly four decades,” said Stephen Lark, President and CEO. “His steady leadership and humble approach to service set the standard for our Board and our staff. We’re grateful he’ll remain close as Chairman Emeritus, and we’re excited to work alongside Wes as he leads the Board into its next chapter.”
Dunbar joined the CFCU Board when ONECU Federal Credit Union merged with Communication Federal Credit Union in October 2000. He had served as an ONECU director since 1994, and he has served as Vice Chairman of the CFCU Board for more than a decade. Dunbar is Executive Vice President – Strategic Projects at MIRATECH. Before that, he was Senior Vice President of Operations at Colonial Pipeline Company in Atlanta. He began his career at Oklahoma Natural Gas as an engineer trainee in 1989 and spent more than 30 years with ONEOK in Tulsa. There he held roles of increasing responsibility, including Vice President – Operations, Natural Gas Pipelines.
Dunbar has served on the boards of Junior Achievement of Eastern Oklahoma and the Tulsa Area United Way. He currently serves on the University of Oklahoma Polytechnic Institute Advisory Board and the University of Tulsa Collins College of Business Executive Advisory Board. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from Oklahoma State University.
“I am deeply honored to succeed Mirl as board chair for Communication Federal Credit Union,” said Dunbar. “Mirl has been a fantastic leader for the credit union, and we are all deeply appreciative of his service to the membership these many years. The board is excited to carry on with the culture of humble service that he has instilled in the board. A credit union board exists for one reason: to serve the members who own it. Our members trust us with their financial lives, and every decision we make should honor that trust.”
About Communication Federal Credit Union
Communication Federal Credit Union has headquarters in Oklahoma City and was founded in 1939. It has more than 130,000 members and over $2.3 billion in assets. The credit union has grown to include 22 branch locations in two states, serving the employees of such outstanding companies as AT&T, Goodyear Tire, AEP, ONEOK, ONE Gas, OG+E and more than 250 other groups. It is among the strongest financial institutions in the nation, holding the prestigious five-star rating from BauerFinancial, Inc. The credit union is also involved in projects that help give back to local communities and maintains a strong commitment to helping serve the financial needs of its members.
