CORNING, N.Y. – After 18 months of searching, Corning Credit Union has tapped its own Anne V. Crowley as its new president. With the promotion, Crowley is looking forward to spending the next few years preparing to add her name to the growing list of women CEOs in credit union-land. David F. Bartone, who has served as president/CEO over the past 33 years will remain CEO of one of the very last true single sponsor credit unions until his retirement in a couple of years. "I've got some pretty big shoes to fill and I wonder if they will ever really be filled," said Crowley. "But I'm so excited about this opportunity and I'm just so fortunate that David is here to help us through the transition. He is teaching me a lot." Crowley was first bitten by the credit union bug during a college summer internship at a credit union and says although it was a short stint something about the experience appealed to her. "There was just something about the `people helping people' philosophy behind credit unions that struck a chord in me," said Crowley. "And I guess I always carried it with me." Crowley graduated from Ithaca College with a B.S. degree in business and psychology. She joined CCU in 1991 as a teller and has been moving up the ranks ever since. Most recently she has served as executive vice president of operations since 1998. She'll remain president of the $650 million credit union's Investment Services subsidiary. Although there was an extensive external search, the board found that when it was all said and done it would be best to find someone familiar with the organization. "I basically grew up with the standards and values of this credit union, it is ingrained in me," said Crowley. "And I am someone who operates on a true belief of our culture that as long as we value the people who work here and provide quality, convenient, knowledgeable service first then it will lead to financial results. Some institutions have it backwards." A self-described team-based leader, Crowley says she will continue to focus on the daily challenge of building the credit union's lifetime relationship with members. "We like to keep things simple here," said Crowley. "It works for us. Despite a challenging economy we've still managed to have a record year in terms of growth and goals." In her spare time after meetings with Bartone and senior staffers, Crowley enjoys playing tennis and working on her golf swing. Gary Grinnell, has been promoted from lending services manager to Crowley's former position of executive vice president of operations. [email protected]