A search committee is currently looking for a new president/CEO. Prior said the committee is using a firm to look for both internal and external candidates.

Prior's credit union career started in January 1997 when he became president/CEO of the then FPL Federal Credit Union. Under his tenure, the credit union grew from $196.6 million in assets and three branches serving 38,000 members in 1997 to $495 million in assets and 11 branches serving 59,300 members in 2006. Prior, who started his career in the banking industry in 1971, said he has deep admiration for the movement.

"My credit union career has been very rewarding, having helped our members purchase homes, buy cars and put their children through school in order to reach their dreams," Prior said. Prior served nine years on the board of the Florida Credit Union Shared Services and five years on the board of FCUL Service Group. He started his career in financial services in 1971 as a management trainee for Chase Federal Savings and Loan in Miami. Prior, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army, later organized and managed three savings banks from 1980 to 1988. "Henry Prior's leadership, not only at Power Financial Credit Union but the whole industry as well, has been exceptional," said Leman Murray, chairman of Power Financial. "Through mutual respect and plenty of hard work, he has delivered on everything the board has asked of him. We sincerely thank Henry for his leadership and wish him and his wife, Karen, all the best." While he's set to retire in February, Prior said going forward, he would still like to serve on a credit union board or become an industry advocate on the state or national level.

"I will miss the people the most," Prior said. "This is such an open industry. It's been so easy to make friends."

As for the future of the movement, Prior said collaboration is critical for survival.

"Through consolidation, credit unions will be stronger and more efficient operationally," Prior said. "I think the industry will offer more innovative and sophisticated products in competition with commercial banks. That said, I believe the standard of close personal service with our members will remain constant, unlike the cookie-cutter, take-a-number approach of commercial banks. In short, as an industry, we will remain focused on serving the financial needs of our valued members without losing the personal touch that they have come to expect."

Prior said he's looking forward to spending more leisure time with Karen, his wife of 42 years, traveling the country in a soon-to-be purchased motor home. He now has more free time to travel to Europe and spend time with his two adult children and four grandchildren.

"No question, I would have spent my entire career in the credit union industry," Prior said when asked if he had it to do all over again. "It has been a wonderful ride watching our credit union and the industry grow and prosper over the years." –[email protected]