With Chairman Chip Filson focused on expanding cooperative system solutions, the search for the next CEO of Callahan & Associates has begun.

The move to find someone for the day-to-day leadership is simply the next phase of Callahan's leadership transition initiated last year when Filson was elected chairman, the Washington, D.C., consultancy and analysis firm said.

“This individual will lead the senior executive team, who manage our four business units. We seek someone with a keen desire to assist credit unions to 'make a difference' for their members and communities,” Filson said.

“It is much broader than a traditional CEO search. It is an intergenerational transfer of leadership. The company has an established market position and committed managers; the future depends on our entrepreneurial creativity, that is the key to what we do,” he said.

Bruce Mancinelli was named interim CEO in January when Filson assumed the role of chairman.

Callahan has tapped the CU Development Group to help find its next CEO.

As chairman, Filson will continue to be an active part of the leadership team while shifting his focus to strategic initiatives on behalf of the credit union community, the company said in its announcement Wednesday.

According to Filson, it has become clear over the past few months that credit unions have an important and urgent role in creating new member solutions.

“Credit unions are becoming more and more consequential in the lives of their members and the American economy,” he said. “The trust earned from their member owners is unique. Credit unions are proven leaders in solutions at a time when cooperative values are more needed than ever. I will intensify efforts to develop these new initiatives.”