Martin Breland, president/CEO of the $2.5 billion Tower FCU in Laurel, Md., has been named Region II director on the NAFCU board of directors, the trade association announced Monday.

Breland replaces retiring board member Charlie Thomas, who stepped down after his resignation from the board of the $268 million Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union in Germantown, Md.

In accordance with NAFCU's bylaws, Breland may serve in his appointed capacity until the organization's annual business meeting in 2013.

“Martin's decades of experience as a credit union leader and his ardent dedication to advancing the industry make him a valuable asset to the NAFCU board,” said NAFCU Chair Mike Parsons, president/CEO of the $347 million First Source FCU in New Hartford, N.Y.

“We appreciate Charlie's contributions to the NAFCU board over the years and wish him well in all his future endeavors,” Parsons added. Breland joined Tower FCU in 1988 and became president/CEO in 1994. He served as vice president of finance and vice president of member services prior to becoming CEO. Under Breland's leadership, Tower FCU has experienced significant growth, increasing its assets from $660 million in 1995 to $2.6 billion in 2012, and claiming the title of the largest federal credit union in Maryland.

“I am honored to join NAFCU's board. NAFCU is a strong voice for the industry and I look forward to working with my fellow board members, its president and CEO Fred Becker and his exemplary staff to achieve the association's goals for our great industry and the millions of members they serve,” Breland said.