Cooperative Credit Union Association Names Interim CEO
Bernie Winne, president/CEO of Boston Fire CU, is appointed to ensure the continuity of the CCUA’s operations.
In addition to working as interim CEO, Winne will continue to serve as president/CEO of the Boston Firefighters Credit Union.
His appointment follows the Oct. 11 announcement when Sarah Vega was named CCUA’s new president/CEO. However, Vega, who serves as chief-of-staff to NCUA Chair J. Mark McWatters, reconsidered her decision saying in a prepared statement on Oct. 26 that she wanted to continue in her role to complete the work that McWatters has begun.
Her surprise decision has led to tremendous speculation in the credit union community, particularly given the unsettled state of the NCUA board. And there even has been speculation that Vega could be in line for a future seat on the NCUA board.
McWatters’ seat expires in August 2019. Rodney Hood, a Republican and former NCUA board member, has been nominated to replace Democrat Rick Metsger on the board. Metsger has continued to serve on the board until a replacement is confirmed. But it remained unclear whether the Senate will consider Hood’s nomination during the current lame duck session.
Winne succeeds former CCUA President/CEO Paul Gentile who was appointed president/CEO of the $1.9 billion Merck Employees Federal Credit Union in Rahway, N.J.
“Bernie’s leadership ensures the smooth continuity of all the programs and services that the association delivers to its members each and every day,” CCUA Board Chair Ellen Ford said, who is president/CEO of the $485 million People’s Credit Union in Middletown, R.I. “The board is grateful to Bernie for agreeing to devote his time and expertise to support the association, its members and staff as interim CEO.”
Winne has served as CEO of the Dorchester, Mass.-based BFCU since 2002.
Under his leadership, the credit union has grown from $81 million to $286 million in assets, 3,147 to 9,605 members and eight to 33 full-time employees, according to NCUA Call Reports.
Before joining BFCU, Winne also served as an executive vice president for $256 million Members Plus Credit Union in Medford, Mass.
The CCUA has said that it will resume its search for a new president.