Tom Kane was named the new president/CEO of the Illinois Credit Union League in Naperville, replacing Sean Hession, who abruptly left the top position after being on the job for just a year.

The Illinois league's board of directors did not give a reason for Hession's May 26 departure and appointed Kane as the league's interim president/CEO.

“We are excited to elevate Tom to president/CEO,” Pete Paulson, ICUL board chair, said in a prepared statement.  “With his relationships inside and outside the organization, knowledge of the movement and wide range of experience, Tom is uniquely qualified to lead the Illinois Credit Union System.”

Kane also will serve as president/CEO of the league's business subsidiary League Service Corp. Over the last 12 years, he worked at LSC's executive vice president.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead this organization, which does such a great job of serving credit unions in Illinois and across the country,” Kane said in a prepared statement. “It's a privilege to lead such an experienced and effective team focused on the credit union philosophy of 'people helping people.'”

Kane's career over the past 30 years included leadership positions with Aon Corporation, Quaker Oats and the Central Intelligence Agency, according to the league.