Pete Pritts, former president/CEO of First Corporate CU of Arizona, has been named the new president/CEO of the $2.8 billion Corporate America Credit Union of Irondale, Ala., Corporate America’s Board of Directors announced Wednesday.
Pritts will move into his new Birmingham-area corner office on Nov. 19. Corporate America Chairman Steve Nix said, “Pete is a proven leader and has the experience to guide us as we continue to serve our members and move our credit union forward. We are excited to have Pete take the helm.”
Pritts left FirstCorp approximately one year ago after 25 years in corporate credit union management. After he left FirstCorp, the Phoenix-based institution re-evaluated its business plan and decided to pursue consolidation, said FirstCorp Chairman Dave Doss.
The purchase and assumption of FirstCorp by the $3 billion Catalyst Corporate FCU was completed Monday.
Doss said he’s “really happy” for Pritts and added “he’ll bring some good talent to the new role.”
JMFA Executive Search Group, hired by Corporate America’s board, conducted a nationwide search of executives before settling on Pritts.
“Working for credit unions my entire career has been an amazing experience, and it will be a privilege to do the same with a strong team at Corporate America,” Pritts said. “I’m eager to roll up my sleeves and get busy adding value.”
Corporate America and the $185 million Louisiana Corporate CU called off a merger in September 2012 after nearly two years waiting for NCUA approval. It was not announced whether Interim CEO Dan Buckley, who has been leading the corporate since former CEO Thomas Bonds resigned in July, will remain with Corporate America. Buckley, a former NCUA examiner, was hired in 2010 to oversee risk management.
