Utah’s Largest Credit Union Names New CEO

Thayne Shaffer will become the new president/CEO of Utah’s largest credit union, America First Credit Union in Riverdale, when current President/CEO John B. Lund retires on April 1 after more than 46 years of service.

Lund landed his first job at America First as a courier in 1975. From there, he quickly rose through the ranks and served as EVP before being named president/CEO in 2012.

Under his leadership, America First has increased its assets from $5.5 billion to $14.2 billion, grown membership from 592,309 to 1,159,227 and expanded its branch network from 104 to 128.

“John, a tremendous person and a profoundly esteemed leader, has shown acuity and keenness of thought in every decision he has made,” Linda Carver, chair of the board of directors for America First, said. “He has had a remarkable ability to understand and position the credit union for new opportunities to assure our long-term and continued growth. We are grateful for the extraordinary contributions John has made to propel America First and the credit union industry forward.”

Shaffer has worked at the credit union for more than 33 years and was appointed chief information officer in May 2019. He previously served as America First’s SVP and controller. Shaffer also supervised multiple mergers from 2009 to 2019 and was a staff coordinator for the enterprise risk management committee for two years.

Kenneth C. Dyer was named president/CEO of AmeriChoice Federal Credit Union in Mechanicsburg, Pa., the board of directors said.

He succeeded Anna Mary Nauss, who served as president/CEO since 2014 and retired on Dec. 31. Before becoming CEO, she served as the credit union’s SVP.

Under her leadership, AmeriChoice grew its assets from $166 million to $202 million and it currently operates five branches and two student branches, serving more than 14,000 members.

Before joining AmeriChoice, Dyer served as SVP of emerging opportunities at the $5.3 billion Members 1st Federal Credit Union, also based in Mechanicsburg, Pa. He also worked as SVP and chief revenue officer for the former Pennsylvania Credit Union Association, which is currently the CrossState Credit Union Association. In addition, he was an investment and finance executive, a CEO for a savings bank and former president/CEO of the $695 million Liberty Bay Credit Union in Braintree, Mass.

The board of directors for York Educational Federal Credit Union in York, Pa., appointed Pamala Mohn as its new president/CEO on Dec. 1.

She succeeded Cathy Henry who retired after serving as president/CEO for five years. Under Henry’s leadership, YEFCU increased its assets from $32 million to $38 million and currently operates a branch, serving nearly 3,000 members.

Mohn previously served as president/CEO of $38 million Blue Chip Federal Credit Union in Harrisburg, Pa., for more than eight years. Before becoming president/CEO of the credit union, she served on its board of directors for four years.