Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback said Wednesday he will appoint Jerel Wright as the new administrator of the Kansas Department of Credit Unions, according to a release.

Wright previously held the KDCU administrator's position for about seven years until he resigned from it in September 2005 to become the vice president of the consulting and compliance department at the Kansas Credit Union Association in Wichita.

Wright will replace credit union veteran John P. Smith, who has served as the KDCU administrator since 2006.

For more than 20 years, Smith was a credit union board member until 1993 when he was first appointed as KDCU's administrator. In 1999, he was appointed director of Missouri's Division of Credit Unions.

He plans to step down Aug. 29.

“I don't like to use the word retire,” the 76-year-old Smith said. “I've got other things I need to do.”

The administrator is responsible for overseeing the daily functions of KDCU and the Credit Union Council. 

“Jerel brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to this position,” Brownback said in a prepared statement. “I appreciate his willingness to serve the people of Kansas in this capacity.”

Wright has worked in the credit union industry for 34 years having held positions at three credit unions and previously served as KCUA's Governmental Affairs Director.

If confirmed by the Kansas Senate, Wright will serve a four-year term.