Dick Wellner, Jim Guretzky, Rod Calvao, Bill Myers, AvaMilosevich…these names are proof that oft-cited predictions that upto half of credit union CEOs could be retiring in the next fiveyears weren't doom and gloom, they were on target. Each of the CEOsmentioned above is a credit union veteran who has recentlyannounced retirement plans, some giving up to a year's notice.

Need more proof? Approximately 30% of respondents to CUES 2006compensation survey have been in their CEO positions for more than15 years, and 15% more than 20 years! More and more big name CEOswill be leaving the industry in the coming weeks, months and years,that's for certain. What's not certain is if there are enoughcandidates ready and willing–or so viewed in board members' eyes–toreplace them. More so, what does the credit union CEO of the futurelook like?

Teresa Freeborn was just named CEO of Xerox FCU. Freeborn has astrong marketing background, a rarity for new CEOs. I happen toknow a handful of very well-known credit union marketingprofessionals who aspire for CEO jobs, but are often passedover.