New credit union CEO announced as one CU veteran announces retirement. (Source: Shutterstock) Source: Shutterstock.

The CUSO CU*Answers announced it finalized its CEO succession planning with the selection of Geoff Johnson as its new CEO effective October 1. Johnson will replace outgoing CEO Randy Karnes.

According to the technology solutions provider CU*Answers, Johnson has been with the CUSO since 2005. In 2014, he was named COO and eventually became President/COO in 2018.

"Geoff has been an invaluable member of the CU*Answers team for many years, and we are confident that he will continue the legacy of exceptional leadership Randy leaves behind as he approaches retirement," said CU*Answers' Chairman of the Board and CEO of Honor Credit Union, Scott McFarland.

Geoff Johnson Geoff Johnson

During his tenure at CU*Answers, Johnson has worked in the growth and development of CU*Answers Management Services teams including Earnings Edge, Lender*VP, AuditLink, Web Services, SettleMINT and Imaging Solutions.

In a statement Karnes said, "I have full faith in Geoff's ability to guide CU*Answers forward in the years to come. His insight and work ethic have been a big part of the CUSO's growth into new areas over the last decade. He has both the drive and the knowledge of our industry and organization to continue its forward momentum."

Randy Karnes Randy Karnes

According to information provided by CU*Answers, Karnes will continue working with the CUSO in an advisory and special projects role until his retirement Sept. 30, 2022.

Karnes has been the CUSO's CEO since 1994. McFarland added, "Randy never stopped at just a vision of what this CUSO could become—he worked tirelessly to see that vision come to pass. Above all, he's always been invested in developing the strongest team possible, and he leaves a deep bench of robust leaders ready to carry the mantle, including our new CEO Geoff Johnson."

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Michael Ogden

Editor-in-Chief at CU Times. To connect, email at [email protected]. As Editor-in-Chief of CU Times since 2016, Michael Ogden has led the editorial team in all aspects of content strategy and execution, including the creation of the publication’s exclusive and proprietary research database of the credit union industry’s economic landscape. Under Michael’s leadership, CU Times has successfully shifted to an all-digital editorial product with new focuses on the payments, fraud, lending and regulatory beats. Most recently, he introduced a data-focused editorial product for subscribers that breaks down credit union issues into hard data, allowing for a deeper and more factual narrative for readers. In 2024, he launched the "Shared Accounts With CU Times" podcast, which offers a fresh, inside-the-newsroom perspective through interviews with leaders from the credit union industry and the regulatory world. He dives into pressing credit union issues, while revealing the personalities working behind-the-scenes to push the credit union world forward. His background includes years as a radio and TV anchor/reporter and a public relations and digital/social media manager, where he covered the food and music industries, as well as cooperatives and credit unions. Over the years, he has launched numerous exclusive video and podcast series, including a successful series of interactive backstage interviews with musicians at music festivals, showcasing his social media and live streaming production skills.