After some 23 years, Fred Johnson, president and CEO of the Credit Union ExecutivesSociety, has announced he will be retiring on Dec. 31, 2012.

In a letter to members, Johnson stated that his target age forretirement had always been when he reached 70 years old.

“I am proud beyond words at what we have been able to accomplishsince I came to CUES in 1989,” Johnson said.

“As the credit union system has grown and prospered over theyears, CUES has been growing and prospering right there with it.Our membership numbers have doubled and our revenues have tripled.And, in accomplishing this, we have remained true to our mission:to educate and develop credit union CEOs, directors and futureleaders,” he said.

Prior to joining CUES, Johnson spent 27 years in the U.S. Army,including time on the faculty at the U.S. Military Academy at WestPoint, N.Y. He served as a director of West Point Federal CreditUnion for six years. He also commanded Infantry and Ranger units inVietnam and was decorated for heroism and wounds received inaction.

Since joining CUES, the many accomplishments achieved under hisleadership have ranged from the development of the CEO Instituteand Directors Leadership Institutes, to teaming up with CurrencyMarketing to find the Next Top Credit Union Executive and partnering with BoardSourceand Rotman to launch the CUES'Center for Credit Union Board Excellence, which wasdesigned to help ensure high performing credit union boards.

Some specific highlights that have personally stood out forJohnson include CUES receiving the World Council of Credit Unions'Distinguished Service Award, being named a recipient of thePete Crear Lifetime Achievement Award bestowed by the AfricanAmerican Credit Union Coalition, and serving in an advisorycapacity on the Filene Research Institute Board.

As for his final year at CUES he's looking forward to newpartnerships with the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions andthe League of Southeastern Credit Unions to offercollaboratively-delivered education.

“After leading soldiers in combat, I thought there couldbe no greater professional achievement. Yet, waking up every day ina selfless industry with dedicated people who constantly strive tohelp people all over the world achieve financial independence islife's true reward,” said Johnson.