The Credit Union Executives Society started in 1962 as a CUNA department known as the CUES (which at the time stood for Credit Union Executive Services) Managers Society. Now in its 50th year, the organization is the go-to resource for credit union leaders. CUES' wealth of services includes educational programs, conferences, networking opportunities and access to products such as white papers, reports and its monthly magazine, Credit Union Management.

The year 2012 not only brings CUES' 50th anniversary, it also marks the end of President/CEO Fred Johnson's tenure. After more than two decades with CUES, Johnson will retire on Dec. 31.

Johnson, who came to CUES in 1989 after 27 years with the U.S. Army and six years as the director of West Point Federal Credit Union, said a major highlight of his CUES career was launching CEO Institute, the organization's graduate level education program. Through the CEO Institute, credit union leaders can deepen their skills and earn a Certified Chief Executive designation by completing a three-year program at a participating business school. Since the program's launch in 1995, 421 credit union professionals have received their CCE.