Callahan & Associates President/CEO Sean Hession will assumethe same role at the Illinois Credit Union League on May 1, theICUL announced on Feb. 4.

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

Hession came from Omaha, Neb., to join Callahanin Washington, D.C., in January 2012. In his two years there,“he led the firm to record performance, innovative approaches toclient services and as general partner for CUFSLP, an innovationfocused CUSO of 36 leading credit unions,” the ICUL said in itsannouncement.

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 history ofgrowth and exceptional member service. His unique vision and drivewill ensure continued success for the credit union system,” saidGeri 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 my service toIllinois 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 announcedhis retirement plans last June. The announcement continues astring of changes at the top at the nation's credit union leagues,including most recently the resignation of Chris Johnson at theIdaho Credit Union League and the hiring of Paul Gentile at the Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Islandleagues.