Culminating a four-month search, the newly-formed League ofSoutheastern Credit Unions said it has named Patrick La Pine, headof association services for the Michigan Credit Union League, asits new president/CEO.

La Pine, executive vice president of the Michigan trade, replacesretiring CEOs Guy Hood of the Florida Credit Union League and GaryWolter of the Alabama Credit Union League, both veteran managersslated to leave their respective organizations next month. La Pinewill take over effective Aug. 3.

La Pine, who was a staffer for Michigan lawmakers before joiningthe Michigan League, has served as executive director of the CUREDefense Fund, formed by the Michigan group "to engage in ongoing,extraordinary defense strategies to promote the credit unionmovement in both the legal and legislative arenas," said a pressstatement.

As head of the Defense Fund, La Pine pursued an advocacy programwhich "promotes and advances common interests of the credit unionmovement," said the LSCU statement. At the Michigan League, La Pinemanaged a portfolio including governmental affairs, education,public affairs, information services and membershiprelations.

The press release also paid tribute to both Hood and Wolter withcomments by Mary Wood, executive search committee chair, notingthat the two "have led their respective leagues with competency andperseverance in these difficult and uncertain economic times thathave hit our region particularly hard."

"At a time when fiscal responsibility has never been more critical,the two have handled the consolidation of these two strong creditunion organizations with stellar leadership," she concluded.