Callahan & AssociatesPresident/CEO Sean Hession will assume the same role at theIllinois Credit Union League on May 1, the league announcedTuesday.

He succeeds Dan Plauda, who is retiring on June 30 after 37 years ofservice to the Naperville, Ill.-based league.

Hessioncame from Omaha, Neb., to join Callahan in Washington, D.C., inJanuary 2012. In his two years there, he led the firm to recordperformance, innovative approaches to client services and asgeneral partner for CUFSLP, an innovation focused CUSO of 36leading credit unions, the ICUL said in its announcement.

Prior to Callahan, Hession had served 10 years in operationalroles at First National Bank of Omaha and co-founded a healthcaretransaction processing firm that grew from a startup to a $40million corporation in five years.

Hession, who has more than 30 years of general managementexperience, also was responsible for the strategic planning anddaily operations of a vendor that served credit unions andcommunity banks, Callahan said at the time of his hiring there.

“Sean has many great ideas for continuing ICUL's historyof growth and exceptional member service. His unique vision anddrive will ensure continued success for the credit union system,”said Geri Burek, chair of the league's search committee andpresident/CEO of the $51 million South Division Credit Union inEvergreen Park, Ill.

Hession said, “It is an honor to be joining ICUL as itspresident and CEO. The organization has a rich history and a greatreputation for member services. I am eager to begin myservice to Illinois credit unions and more than 2,000 LSC clientsnationwide.”

There are 336 credit unions serving nearly 3 million members inIllinois. LSC is the league's CUSO, offering credit, debit,pre-paid debit, portfolio development assistance, ATM services,mobile applications and debt collection.

Hilton Associates of The Woodlands, Texas, conducted the searchfor the league. Plauda had announced his retirement plans lastJune. The Tuesday announcement continues a string of changes at thetop at the nation's credit union leagues, including most recentlythe resignation of Chris Johnson at the Idaho Credit Union League and the hiring of Paul Gentile at the Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Islandleagues.