DEARBORN, Mich. - Dearborn Federal Credit Union-the largest credit union in the state and the 29th largest CU in the country-has named Mark W. Shobe, former president and COO of Sterling Bank & Trust in Southfield, Mich. to replace current president J. Ronald Unger who is retiring Sept. 1 (see related story on page 30-31) Shobe will work closely with Unger until he leaves the organization Sept. 1 The credit union's board of directors voted unanimously for Shobe's appointment, board Chairman Harold Lowman said. Shobe has 23 years of experience in the financial services industry. In addition to his most recent position as president/ COO of Sterling Bank & Trust, he was formerly president of First of Michigan, the state's largest brokerage firm. Prior to that, Shobe spent 14 years at Comerica Incorporated in a variety of positions. Unger has served as president of Dearborn FCU since 1996, after serving on the credit union's board of directors. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Unger counts in his professional career 30 years in the automotive industry with Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation in the companies' management ranks and various engineering roles. Unger is credited with spearheading Dearborn's complete changeover to a new information technology system. The system changeover entailed replacing the credit union's hardware and software information management system which handles the processing for all account transactions. Lowman said he was confident Shobe's leadership will help ensure the credit union will "ensure we continue our mission to provide the most convenient, superior quality, innovative financial services consistent with member-owners' needs. We are extremely fortunate to attract someone of his caliber to fill the big shoes vacated with Ron Unger's retirement. We are extremely grateful to Ron for his years of strong leadership and teamwork, which have been the hallmark of his administration." Dearborn FCU has 168,000 members and $1.2 billion in assets. Chartered in 1950 by a small group of Ford Engineering and Styling employees, Dearborn is a founding member of Service Centers Corporation, the first credit union network of its kind in the country. The network allows DFCU members to conduct a variety of transactions at any of the 20 Family Service Center branches in Michigan and to have surcharge-free access to their funds at more than 500 SC24 ATMs. Membership in the credit union is open to employees and families of any Ford Motor Company or subsidiary unit in the U.S. that is not served by another Ford employee CU. In addition, members of Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, employees companies located on property owned by Ford Motor Land Development Corp., employees of Henry Ford Health System and other select employee groups. The credit union operates four branches in Dearborn, one in Livonia and one in Detroit. -
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