There's new leadership at HeritageWest Federal Credit Union.

Executive Vice President/Chief Operations Officer Bruce Bryan has been named CEO. Former CEO Steve Christensen who made the decision to leave the credit union, effective Aug. 27.

"We are very saddened to see Steve go, but he felt it was the right timing for his family and for him personally to pursue other endeavors," said HeritageWest Board Chair Norma Worwood. "His visionary leadership and dedicated service will forever impact HeritageWest Credit Union."

During Christensen's 14 year tenure as CEO, HeritageWest grew from two branches and approximately $100 million in assets to five full-service branches with assets in excess of $300 million.

Serving HeritageWest since 1997, Bryan has over 30 years of experience in the credit union and financial industry. While completing his degree in business administration, he worked in financial services. Over the next 13 years Bryan worked at Universal Campus Credit Union in Provo, now Utah Community Credit Union, as vice president of lending and at Travis Federal Credit Union in Vacaville, Calif., also as vice president of lending. During that time he graduated with honors in 1993 from Western CUNA Management School.

"Steve has been an outstanding leader for us and personally I have learned a great deal working with him," added Bryan. "It is definitely an enormous responsibility to assume, but I am very honored with the trust the board has placed in me to keep moving the credit union forward."

Mid-America Association Looks for a New CEO

The Mid-America Credit Union Association, representing North and South Dakota credit unions, is in the market for a new CEO to succeed Tony Richards, its president, who left the organization Sept. 7.

Trade group officials acknowledged Richards' sudden departure was a personal one and said his exit was amicable.

Richards had been with Mid-America, made up of former CUs in the now-defunct North and South Dakota Credit Union Leagues. for the last three years and had helped shepherd the transition and conversion into a single association.

"Tony left us on his own and on good terms," said Douglas Thompson, chairman of MACUA and president/CEO of Aberdeen FCU in South Dakota. A search committee has been set up to find a replacement, said Thompson.

In the meantime, serving as interim staff managers are Jeff Olson, political affairs and public relations director; Stephanie Merrill, vice president of human resources and administration and Karla Clark, chief financial officer, all of whom will be handling day-to-day operations for MACU which has its headquarters in Bismarck.

L.A. CU Reaches Out To Fire Victims

The Los Angeles Firemen's Credit Union's Fire Family Foundation announced it will assist victims of the area's recent station fire, as well as the families of two firefighters who died Aug. 31 while fighting the blaze.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the families of Tedmund Hall and Arnaldo Quinones, who lost their loved ones in the station fire. Their bravery and heroism will never be forgotten," said FFF president Mike Mastro.

Donations to assist both families will be sent to F&A Federal Credit Union, where a memorial fund has been established, Mastro said. The L.A. Police Federal Credit Union and Lockheed Federal Credit Union are also accepting donations on behalf of the foundation.

According to a news release, the foundation has no administrative costs, and all donations will be directed to the victims and their families.

The Fire Family Foundation was formed in 2007 to provide financial assistance to firefighters and their families, to assist victims of fire-related incidents, to support charities within the fire community, to promote educational support to firefighters and to provide financial assistance to fire departments.

First Financial FCU Holds Free Business Seminars

First Financial Federal Credit Union has partnered with Elkay Corporate Advisors to help local business owners grow their business.

The credit union and Elkay Corporate will provide educational seminars to local businesses starting in October. The first seminar will be held at First Financial's corporate headquarter for business owners, sales and marketing professionals.

Lisa Kanda, president of Elkay Corporate will lead the seminars on topics such as social networking, leadership, increasing sales and building a loyal customer base.

"Today, only businesses that adapt to new and better ways of doing things will survive," said Kanda. "First Financial and Elkay Corporate share a common vision to help businesses achieve the success they want. This seminar series is designed to help bring resources to businesses that struggle with these issues.

The first seminar taking place on Oct. 20 is titled "Start Now to Make Your 4th Quarter Successful and Impact 2010."

Invest in America Signs Allied Van Lines Agent

Add moving and storage to the list of services, Invest in America is now offering credit union members.

Under a CUcorp partnering pact with one of Allied Van Lines' largest agents, Carey Moving & Storage Co. of Charlotte, N.C.., eligible CU members can receive price discounts up to 60% for both local and interstate moves and on storage.

CU members also can take advantage of "enhanced transit times, expedited claims settlements and complementary pairs and sets valuation protection" on broken furniture, said CUcorp in detailing the service offer.

The agreement with Allied follows a similar discount and finance arrangement that started this month on recreational vehicles with Thor Corp. the nation's largest RV manufacturer.

Meanwhile, CUcorp, an arm of the Michigan Credit Union League, said it is in discussion with other Fortune 500 companies, which it did not name, to arrange similar discount programs under branding patterned after its original linkup with GM and Chrysler and a Ford Motor Co. pilot.

CUcorp said the Invest brand is designed to demonstrate the industry's support of U.S.-based companies "to keep local economies and jobs strong." There are nearly 2,000 CUs actively promoting the entire Invest in America program.

First Financial FCU Scores with Businesses

First Financial Federal Credit Union has partnered with the local Service Corps of Retired Executives chapter to expand its reach in the small business market.

Through SCORE, the Wall, N.J.-based credit union will provide free guidance to its business service members. Starting in October, SCORE will host monthly free seminars at First Financial's headquarters. The seminars will feature topics such as how to successfully manage and promote a business, social media marketing, networking, how to sell online and how to negotiate business deals.

SCORE counselors will also be available at various First Financial branch locations each month to meet with local small businesses.