MIRAMAR, Fla. – Steve McGill, EVP and COO of the $1.8 billion Eastern Financial Florida CU, will take over as CEO on July 6. McGill succeeds Kent Herbert who according to the CU is retiring to his native state of Wisconsin "Kent did a fabulous job for us and we wish him well in retirement," said Eastern Financial Vice Chairman Richard Wickett, who headed the CU's search committee. "In finding his replacement, we interviewed several excellent candidates, but in the end, felt the most qualified candidate was right under our own roof. Steve McGill's entire career has been with Eastern and he knows this company inside out." Eastern Financial is on a growth spurt. It currently has 18 branches in South Florida and Tampa with plans to add another 15 over the next five years. One of McGill's objectives is to increase public awareness of the credit union.