In a management succession long planned, the $5.4 billion America First Federal Credit Union of Riverdale, Utah, on Thursday named John Lund, executive vice president, as president/CEO effective Sept. 1.

Lund will succeed the veteran CEO, Rick Craig, who is retiring from the nation's 12^th largest credit union.

In a statement, Linda Carver, chairman, said Lund would be “working with Craig and the board of directors during the next few months for a seamless transition.”

“We welcome and congratulate John,” Carver said. “We are fortunate to have someone of his caliber, integrity and experience who has a proven track record at America First Credit Union.”

Carver also lauded Lund for retaining “the right mix of leadership, credit union experience, and skills” to take on the job.

“We express our sincere thanks to Rick for his sound judgment, countless contributions and dedication,” she added.

“Rick has not only been the driving force behind the immense success of our credit union, but he has also been a key player for the credit union movement on a state and national level,” Carver said.

Lund and Craig have served in leadership jobs in industry trade groups including CUNA and the Utah Credit Union Association where Craig is a past director and Lund is a past chairman.

Craig also has long been at the center of the industry's legendary battle with the Utah banking lobby over field of membership expansion and the tax exemption and was a party to national litigation over business lending eventually decided in federal courts and Congress.

America First is Utah's largest credit union, with 570,000 members and 101 branches.