William Myers, who has had extensive experience as a credit union CEO and consultant and in the challenges of serving the underserved, has been named to head the NCUA's Office of Small Credit Union Initiatives.

Most recently, Myers served as interim CEO at Santa Cruz Community Credit Union. Before that he was the founder and spent 28 years as the president/CEO of Alternatives Federal Credit Union, a community development credit union in Ithaca, N.Y.

During his tenure the credit union's assets grew to $50 million and its membership rose to 8,700 members.

Myers later served as a senior fellow at the Aspen Institute, a think tank, where he worked on credit union economic development, community opportunity, and strategic planning. Additionally, he has served on the boards of the CheckSpring Bank Corp. and the State of New York Mortgage Authority.

“Bill Myers is nationally recognized for his exceptional and creative work supporting small credit unions throughout the country,” NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz said in a statement.  “His extensive knowledge of issues affecting small credit unions, proven expertise in community development, and demonstrated strategic leadership skills make him the ideal candidate to lead this office.”

He is scheduled to begin his work at the agency on June 6.