The new head of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions, Patrick La Pine, acknowledged Tuesday he faces a daunting but important task in managing the newly created entity with the potential to wield major influence at the state and federal levels.
"I realized when I sought this job that I would have my hands full, but I do realize what we can build from these two healthy leagues on behalf of the industry," declared La Pine, the former top lobbyist and executive vice president of the Michigan Credit Union League.
Until the IRS gives final clearance to the merger of the Alabama and Florida credit union leagues, La Pine said he will be managing two leagues, with Tallahassee as his temporary home base, starting Aug. 3. He was hopeful that the full consolidation can take place by 2010, covering the 86 employees. La Pine said one decision the LSCU Board is mulling over is the location of its headquarters; the LSCU is looking at Tallahassee, Orlando and Tampa.
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The LSCU "will carry political weight" representing 322 CUs with $55 billion in assets, he noted.
La Pine, who celebrates his 40th birthday on Sunday, said that despite the financial blight hitting Florida and the prospect of membership losses due to mergers, he was drawn to the job by the "huge growth potential" in the two states. As a native of Michigan, growing up in metro Detroit, the job represents a career challenge but one he said he is ready for.
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