MSUFCU Hires First VP of Branches for Illinois
The move follows the Michigan-based credit union’s announcement to expand into Chicago this year.
Jean Theis, who started her career at the $7.6 billion, Lansing, Mich.-based Michigan State University Credit Union as a marketing specialist, will return to the credit union as its first-ever vice president of branches – Illinois, MSUFCU announced Wednesday.
The news followed MSUFCU’s July 2023 announcement that it would be expanding into the Chicago area with the addition of five branches later this year – the credit union’s first locations outside of Michigan. Theis’ responsibilities in her new role will include overseeing these five new branches, as well as leveraging her previous merger integration expertise as MSUFCU works to complete its acquisition of Algonquin State Bank and McHenry Savings Bank branches in Illinois.
MSUFCU COO Lea Ammerman said Theis’ “main focus will be on the execution of the credit union’s strategy and business plan in Illinois, including representation in community initiatives, financial education programs and outreach efforts.”
Theis most recently served as chief relationship officer at HomeAdvantage, and before that, she was COO for Consumers Credit Union ($3.4 billion, Gurnee, Ill.) as the result of a merger with Andigo Credit Union. Before the merger, she held progressive roles and responsibilities at Motorola Employees Credit Union, which changed its name to Andigo in 2016, for more than 20 years.
“I enjoy being part of building strategy and thrive on new challenges,” Theis said. “My background includes leadership roles spanning all aspects of a financial institution, including marketing, member experience, community relations, deposit operations, training and branches, so this role is an ideal fit.”
Theis is a native of mid-Michigan and holds an MBA from Western Michigan University.