Another longtime credit union leader has decided the time is right to step down. After over 22 years of leadership, El Paso Employees Federal Credit Union President/CEO Ray Ponteri retired on Jan. 4. The board has tapped Executive Vice President Kenneth Walters as the new president/CEO. Prior to joining EPEFCU in 2007, Walters served as president/CEO of Chino Federal Credit Union in Silver City, N.M. A native of Silver City, he holds a bachelor of business administration degree from New Mexico State University and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. During Ponteri's tenure, the El Paso, Texas-based credit union has grown from $20 million in assets to over $275 million, serving some 48,000 members and providing eight branch locations. Equally active in the credit union industry, he served 10 years as a director for the Texas Credit Union League and held various positions on several committees at CU Resources Inc. He was also part of the 2000 CUNA Renaissance Commission and is active in the local community. When asked what he would miss the most, he said, "That's easy-the people. Over the years, I have made many friends with members, volunteers and employees. It's hard to walk away from those relationships. Working at the credit union has been a truly great experience." After retiring, Ponteri plans on staying in El Paso and hopes to still be involved with the credit union in some capacity. "I also hope to play a lot of golf," said Ponteri.