The $1 billion, 69,800-member Meriwest Credit Union said it has hired Brian Hennessey as its new chief financial officer.

The San Jose, Calif., credit union hired Hennessey from the $373 million People's Credit Union in Middletown, R.I., where had served as CFO for the past three years, Meriwest said.

He will be responsible for the credit union's finance, accounting and information technology departments and brings more than 30 years of experience in financial management to the job, his new employer said.

That includes stints at PriceWaterhouse and Gateway Financial, as well as at the FDIC and at community banks and health systems in Connecticut, his new employer said.

“Brian comes to Meriwest Credit Union with a tremendous background in accounting and credit union finance.” said President/CEO Christopher Owen.

“We feel strongly that his collaborative style, his financial acumen, and his ability to educate and guide the board in the complexities of expanding financial regulation will benefit our business for years to come,” Owen said in the announcement.

Hennessey succeeds Hudson Lee, who left Meriwest earlier this year, the credit union said.