Stephanie Smith was appointed the new executive director of the America's Credit Union Museum in Manchester, N.H., according the Maine Credit Union League.

Smith replaced Peggy Powell who will retire after 15 years of service.

Powell oversaw the restoration project of the building that housed the first credit union in the U.S., according to the museum.

She also worked with the family of the industry's first credit union manager, Joseph Boivin, to restore the authenticity of the rooms that were used to welcome credit union members into their home in 1908.

Powell helped build and pilot the museum's CU 4 Reality program, bringing together educators and credit union professionals to develop a curriculum focused on financial education for elementary, middle, and high school students. 

The program has grown steadily and is now used in seven states and in Germany. More than 17,000 students participated in the CU 4 Realty program last year, the museum said.

Smith joined America's Credit Union Museum after spending the past 10 years at St. Paul's School, a prep school in Concord, N.H., where she worked in all areas of the development office.

John Murphy, president/CEO of the Maine Credit Union League, who also serves on the museum's board of directors, expressed his appreciation to Powell for her service and said he looks forward to working with Smith.