Credit Unions in Maryland & Illinois Appoint New CEOs

The board of directors of Educational Systems Federal Credit Union in Greenbelt, Md., announced Girado Smith will become its new president/CEO next year.

He will succeed President/CEO Chris Conway, who plans to retire in early 2023 following 25 years of service.

After joining Educational Systems in 1998 as COO, Conway was named president/CEO in 2007. During his tenure, the credit union’s assets increased from $230 million to $1.2 billion, while loans grew from $148 million to $745 million, and membership expanded from 32,637 to 85,827, according to NCUA Call Reports.

Conway’s credit union career launched at Montgomery County Teachers Federal Credit Union in 1989 where he worked in a variety of capacities and executive roles. After becoming CEO of Educational Systems, he led the merger of the two credit unions in 2012.

“It has been my privilege to serve our credit union and the education community for decades. We have continued to grow by focusing on our vision to be the premier financial services provider for the education community,” Conway said in a prepared statement. “I am grateful to have been part of the Educational Systems FCU team for so many years. Our outstanding volunteers and employees make a difference every day and we have accomplished so much together.”

Conway’s successor is a CPA, currently serving as EVP and CFO. Smith joined Educational Systems in 1998.

“We are proud of our exceptional performance under Chris Conway’s leadership, and we look forward to continued growth and success with Girado Smith in the years to come,” Educational Systems Board Chair Alonia Sharps said in a prepared statement.

The credit union’s 195 employees serve members who work in eight school systems and three community colleges.

In Illinois, Matthew Parrot has been appointed president/CEO of SIUE Credit Union in Edwardsville.

He succeeds Kathy McKinnon, who retired June 30 following 38 years of service.

Before joining SUIE in 1984 as an assistant manager, McKinnon was 16 when she started working at American Steel Credit Union in Granite City, where her mother was the manager, according to a profile article on McKinnon posted by the Illinois Credit Union League. Mom and daughter worked together for 12 years until the credit union was merged.

McKinnon was named SUIE’s president/CEO in 2006. During her tenure, the credit union’s assets increased from $10 million to $30.7 million, while loans grew from $5.4 million to $9.4 million, according to NCUA Call Reports.

Parrot, who holds more than 14 years of financial services experience, previously served as vice president of member experience and as marketing director at the $199 million Midwest Member Credit Union in Wood River, Ill. He also served as a marketing manager for the $1.6 billion Scott Credit Union in Edwardsville, Ill., and as a business development manager and consumer loan underwriter for the $455 million GCS Credit Union in Granite City, Ill., according to his LinkedIn professional profile page.

SIUE’s five employees serve more than 1,700 members.