Sandia Area Federal Credit Union Names New CEO

Kevin Todd will become president/CEO of Sandia Area Federal Credit Union in Albuquerque, N.M., in December, the board of directors announced last week.

He will succeed current President/CEO Paula J. Peknik, who is retiring after 38 years of service.

Peknik rose through the ranks in operations and lending and has held a variety of leadership positions including serving as EVP and COO. She was appointed president/CEO in early 2020.

During Peknik’s CEO leadership, Sandia Area grew assets from $784 million in March 2020 to more than $1 billion by the end of June 2022, while loans grew in the same time period from $684 million to $880 million, according to NCUA financial performance reports.

Sandia Area is the fourth largest credit union by assets in New Mexico, according to DepositAccounts.com.

“It has been a privilege to lead Sandia Area and I’m extremely proud to have served this amazing organization for almost four decades,” Peknik said in a prepared statement. “We have come so far from the $53 million, single-branch credit union we were when I began my career. Our success is the result of our outstanding team and a strong commitment to our members and communities.”

Todd has served as Sandia Area’s CFO since 2014 when he joined the credit union after working five years in public accounting providing audit services as a CPA.

“We are proud of our exceptional growth and performance under Peknik’s leadership. We thank her for her years of dedication to Sandia Area and wish her the best in her well-deserved retirement,” Sandia Area Board Chair Burton Clyde said. “We look forward to continued success and service to our members under Kevin Todd and are excited that the credit union’s new CEO came from within the organization. He is the right next leader for Sandia Area.”

The credit union’s 168 employees operate seven branches and serve more than 76,000 members.