After some 23 years, Fred Johnson, president and CEO of the Credit Union Executives Society, has announced he will be retiring on Dec. 31, 2012.
In a letter to members, Johnson stated that his target age for retirement had always been when he reached 70 years old.
“I am proud beyond words at what we have been able to accomplish since I came to CUES in 1989,” Johnson said.
“As the credit union system has grown and prospered over the years, CUES has been growing and prospering right there with it. Our membership numbers have doubled and our revenues have tripled. And, in accomplishing this, we have remained true to our mission: to educate and develop credit union CEOs, directors and future leaders,” he said.
Prior to joining CUES, Johnson spent 27 years in the U.S. Army, including time on the faculty at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. He served as a director of West Point Federal Credit Union for six years. He also commanded Infantry and Ranger units in Vietnam and was decorated for heroism and wounds received in action.
Since joining CUES, the many accomplishments achieved under his leadership have ranged from the development of the CEO Institute and Directors Leadership Institutes, to teaming up with Currency Marketing to find the Next Top Credit Union Executive and partnering with BoardSource and Rotman to launch the CUES’ Center for Credit Union Board Excellence, which was designed to help ensure high performing credit union boards.
Some specific highlights that have personally stood out for Johnson include CUES receiving the World Council of Credit Unions’ Distinguished Service Award, being named a recipient of the Pete Crear Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed by the African American Credit Union Coalition, and serving in an advisory capacity on the Filene Research Institute Board.
As for his final year at CUES he’s looking forward to new partnerships with the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions and the League of Southeastern Credit Unions to offer collaboratively-delivered education.
“After leading soldiers in combat, I thought there could be no greater professional achievement. Yet, waking up every day in a selfless industry with dedicated people who constantly strive to help people all over the world achieve financial independence is life’s true reward,” said Johnson.
