Credit Unions Across Eight States Name New CEOs

The $838 million Corporate America Family Credit Union in Elgin, Ill., named Stefanie Rupert as its president/CEO.

She succeeds Peter Paulson, who served as CAFCU’s president/CEO from 2007 to 2024, according to the credit union.

Rupert brings more than three decades of experience in the financial services industry to her new position, having most recently served as interim president/CEO of the $695 million Town & Country Credit Union in Minot, N.D. She also served as president/CEO of Collins Community Credit Union in Grand Rapids, Iowa, and as an executive vice president for Standard Bank, according to her LinkedIn page.

“We are confident that Stefanie will provide the visionary leadership our members seek to usher our credit union into a new era,” CAFCU Board Chair Thomas Rieck said in a prepared statement.

CAFCU’s 222 employees operate 20 locations and serve nearly 68,000 members, according to the NCUA.

The board of directors for Town & Country Credit Union announced the appointment of Kalli Schell as their president/CEO, succeeding Rupert.

Schell launched her career at the credit union in 2000 as a member service representative and was promoted to the positions of agriculture loan processor, loan processing supervisor, vice president of loan servicing, chief operations officer, interim president/CEO, and most recently as the senior executive vice president.

“Kalli’s extensive knowledge of Town & Country operations along with her vision and plan for the organization makes Kalli the right candidate to lead our credit union forward for many years to come and serve our members well,” Town & Country’s Board Chair Jan Kostad said in a prepared statement.

The credit union’s 163 employees operate 10 locations and serve more than 27,000 members.

Jay Yax has been named president/CEO of the $630 million Security Credit Union in Holly Mich.

He succeeded Christopher L. Estes.

Yax joined the credit union in 1986 as a head teller and head loan officer. Over the years, he served as a branch manager, vice president of branch operations, vice president of human resources, and chief operations officer, according to his LinkedIn page.

Security CU’s board of directors said in a prepared statement that Yax’s extensive experience and proven leadership will drive the credit union to new heights, citing his dedication to the employees, members and the community, which exemplifies the core values of the credit union.

Security CU’s 168 employees operate 14 locations and serve nearly 53,000 members.

Clinton Miller will become the next president/CEO of the $565 million Partners 1st Federal Credit Union of Fort Wayne, Ind., in 2025.

He will succeed CEO Carla Bienz who will retire in January after 43 years of service. Miller, who was appointed president last month, will take over as president/CEO in February, the credit union said in a prepared statement.

Miller joined Partners 1st in 2017 as senior vice president of operations and was promoted to chief operations officer in 2021.

“I could not be more pleased and proud to have Clinton succeed me as president and CEO at my retirement,” Beinz said in a prepared statement. “Clinton has a strong credit union background in a wide range of areas and has demonstrated his absolute dedication to the credit union, our members, and our staff. He is an excellent leader.”

Partners 1st FCU’s 209 employees run 22 locations and serve more than 45,000 members.

The board of directors for the $364 million Acadia Federal Credit Union in Fort Kent, Maine, appointed Joey Cannan as its new president/CEO.

He succeeded David Desjardins who retired in July after more than 30 years of service.

Cannan joined the credit union in 2021 as its executive vice president. He previously served as director of operations and loan services manager for Bangor Savings Bank. He also worked as a mortgage loan officer for Bank of America, according to his LinkedIn page.

In a prepared statement, the credit union said after years under Desjardin’s mentorship, Cannan is well-prepared for his new position to continue the credit union’s growth.

Acadia FCU’s 86 employees run nine locations that serve more than 17,000 members.

The $359 million Eagle Community Credit Union in Foothill Ranch, Calif., named Michael Kim as its president/CEO.

He succeeded Scott Rains.

Kim holds more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. He previously served as vice president of lending for the $636 million MyPoint Credit Union in San Diego, chief lending officer for the $2.1 billion First Entertainment Credit Union in Hollywood and held executive positions at Citibank and at the $736 million USC Credit Union in Los Angeles, his LinkedIn page showed.

“Mike’s unique blend of expertise in lending, retail banking, marketing, and business development provides him with a broad perspective essential for leading Eagle Community Credit Union towards a bright future,” Eagle Community CU Board Chair Louie Flores said in a prepared statement. “His commitment to the credit union movement and proven track record of success make him the perfect fit for this role.”

Eagle Community’s 112 employees operate six locations and serve nearly 23,000 members.

The board of directors for the $56.3 million Loudoun Credit Union in Leesburg, Va., appointed Michael F. Falvey as president/CEO.

He succeeded Travis Allen who left the credit union in June to pursue other opportunities, the credit union said in a prepared statement.

Falvey joined the $56.3 million Loudoun CU from the Durkin Law firm where he worked as its CFO. He also served as president/CEO of the $73 million New England Teamsters Federal Credit Union in Charlestown, Mass., as vice president at the Cambridge Trust Company, and as a commercial lender for Eagle Bank, his LinkedIn page showed.

“This is an exciting time for the Loudoun Credit Union and its members, and we are excited to welcome Michael Falvey to the helm,” Loudoun CU Board Chair Cindy Mester said in a prepared statement. “Michael’s deep experience in financial management and his passion for this community make him the ideal candidate to lead our credit union into the future.”

Loudoun CU’s 11 employees run one location and serve a membership of 5,305.

Cami Wheeler has been appointed CEO of the $151 million Wymar Federal Credit Union in Geismar, La.

Ronnie Stephens announced his retirement as CEO of Wymar Federal Credit Union that became effective on Sept. 1. He will remain as president until he retires at the end of this year after more than 42 years of service to the credit union and banking industry, the credit union said in a prepared statement.

“I believe Cami is the right person at the right time to lead Wymar into the future,” Stephens said. “She has the knowledge, experience and leadership skills to take Wymar to even greater heights. Wymar has been blessed to have achieved a #1 ranking in the nation for Benefits of Membership by CUNA and been named the #1 Best Place to Work by the Baton Rouge Business Report. While we are proud of these accomplishments, I know Cami will not rest on these laurels and will lead us to achieve even more as we continue to serve our members.”

Wheeler joined the credit union in 2020 as an executive vice president. She also served as a freelance presenter for the former CUNA, now America’s Credit Unions, and as a vice president of operations and compliance at Total Choice Credit Union, her LinkedIn page showed.

Wymar FCU’s 17 employees run one location and serve a membership of 5,029.