Adam Denbo

Adam Denbo is the Managing Consultant of Samaha & Associates, Inc. With an emphasis on mergers, third-party system conversions, and core system conversion project management, his career within the Credit Union industry spans 22 years. 

Prior to joining Samaha & Associates, Adam served as CEO of a Credit Union where he oversaw multiple mergers, expanded the branch network, increased assets by 50 percent, increased membership by 40 percent, increased profitability, and significantly increased the Credit Union’s CAMEL rating. 

During his tenure as CEO, he founded Shapiro Partners. This Credit Union consulting firm assisted smaller credit unions in the areas of mergers, reconciliation, risk management, expense reduction, LUA/DOR completion, collections, compliance, marketing, lending, and expense reduction. In 2011, Shapiro Partners merged into Samaha & Associates, Inc. Today, Adam oversees the day-to-day operations of Samaha & Associates and works on large Credit Union technology projects. 

Over the course of his career in the CU industry, Adam has been an Assistant Vice President of Technology, Manager of Computer Operations, Process Improvement Analyst, and was named the industry’s first Chief Political Officer. 

Adam holds MBA and B.S. degrees from Cal Poly, Pomona with emphases in Business Management and International Finance. He is a 2002 graduate of Western CUNA Management School and 2003 Graduate Assistant. He completed the Advanced Leadership Institute at Harvard University and was published in the Journal of International Information Management Association (IIMA) for his development of the CURT (Credit Union Return on Technology) Model. 

He has also served as a board member at a Corporate Credit Union and a national CUSO. During his tenure at these posts, he served on multiple California Credit Union League (CCUL) committees, including leadership positions in two CCUL Chapters. He was one of the founding steering committee members of the Southern California Credit Union Alliance (SCCUA). 

In 2007, Adam was awarded the CCUL Kim Bannan Eternal Flame Award for assistance to small Credit Unions. In 2000, he was honored to be a recipient of the CCUL Tomorrow’s Star award. Since 2000, he has been the Official Auctioneer for the Western CUNA Management School and frequently volunteers for Credit Union fundraisers as auctioneer raising funds for financial literacy and Credit Union Advocacy. 

Adam works hard and plays hard. He lives in Brea, Calif. with his wife, five children, three dogs, a rabbit, a guinea pig, and three fish. His favorite movie is “Dances with Wolves” and he loves the L.A. Dodgers. On a weekend, you are likely to catch him at either a child’s sporting event or helping kids with 4H livestock projects.