After 47 years of service, Loretta Burd, longtime CEO of Centra Credit Union will retire effective Dec. 31.

Current president and former CFO Doug Harris will succeed Burd as CEO of the Columbus, Ind., credit union.

Burd began her career with Centra in July 1965 serving in a number of positions. At that time, Centra held about $4 million in assets and had 6,968 members. Over the years, she managed the Union Street branch, and established the Human Resources, Inventory Control and Facilities departments, the credit union said.

In July 1987, she became the president/CEO of the $123 million organization.

Under her leadership, Centra has grown to $1.1 billion in total assets, with nearly 280 employees and more than 125,000 members, and is the third largest credit union in Indiana.

In addition, Burd has guided Centra through the mergers of nine other credit unions expanding the number of locations and access for Centra members.

Active in the credit union industry at both state and national levels, she has served as a member of the Governmental Affairs Committee of the Indiana Credit Union League, vice chair of the Credit Union Centers of Indianapolis board of directors, and chair of the Indiana Corporate Federal Credit Union board of directors.

In 1996, she was appointed to the board of directors of the CUNA Mutual Group and served as board chair for six years, the longest serving chair in company history. She continues to serve on the CUNA Mutual board.

Nationally, she has also served as chairwoman of CUNA's Roundtable Council for the nation's top 100 credit unions and was chair of the National Credit Union Values Campaign.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunities to lead Centra, and have thoroughly enjoyed working with outstanding employees who provide true value for our members,” Burd said.