Add Bob Hoefer, Dupaco Community CU president/CEO to the growing list of longtime credit union leaders who have decided to retire.

After 47 years at the Dubuque, Iowa, credit union, Hoefer will retire as president/CEO effective Feb. 12, 2012. The credit union board didn't have to look far for his successor, tapping Chief Operating Officer Joe Hearn as the new president/CEO.

Hoefer will continue to serve the credit union as assistant to the president for special projects, the credit union said.

Hoefer joined what was then Dupaco Employees CU in 1964 as a full-time computer programmer. Dupaco has since grown from one branch location, 4,600 members and $3.4 million in assets to serving more than 63,000 members from 12 offices and more than $955 million in assets.

A 25-year Dupaco veteran, Hearn joined the credit union as director of marketing in 1986. He became chief operating officer in 2008.