After serving as interim president/CEO of Delta Community Credit Union since Jan. 1, Hank Halter has been named the permanent president/CEO, the cooperative announced Monday.

“Over the last three months, I've been able to meet and work with the talented group of leaders and employees who have made Delta Community one of the strongest and highly respected credit unions in the country,” Halter said.

“Our employees believe deeply in our mission to provide outstanding value and exceptional service on the deposit and loan products and services people use every day,” Halter added.

Halter succeeds Rick Foley, who retired in December 2012 after eight years at the helm and 26 years of service at the $4.3 billion Delta Community in Atlanta.

Jim Diffley, chairman of Delta Community's board of directors, said the board took the time it needed to do an extensive search for a leader who could build on the credit union's success and unique culture.  

“We interviewed some very experienced candidates but ultimately came back to Hank as our first choice for the job,” Diffley said. “During his interim appointment, Hank demonstrated strong leadership skills and established an excellent working relationship with the credit union's management team and employees.”

A certified public accountant, Halter worked at Delta Air Lines from 1998 to 2012. He served in a number of finance positions there before being promoted to chief financial officer in 2008, according to Delta Community.

Prior to Delta Air Lines, Halter worked at American Airlines and Ernst & Young.

In addition to Delta Community's board, he also serves on the board of directors of Erickson Air-Crane where he is chairman of their audit committee, and the Atlanta Police Foundation.

Halter holds a bachelor of science degree in accountancy from Villanova University and a master of business administration degree from Duke University.

Founded in 1940, Delta Community serves more than 270,000 members.