CUNA Chief Economist Bill Hampel becomes interim president/CEO of the trade organization on June 11.

That's the day current President/CEO Bill Cheney returns to California to head the $10.3 billion SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, CUNA said in its May 7 announcement. Cheney was previously president/CEO of the California Credit Union League.

CUNA said it hopes to fill the position permanently by the fall.

Hampel, who joined the association in 1978, is one of the longest-tenured executives at CUNA. He was promoted to vice president in 1985 and senior vice president and chief economist in 1992.

“Bill has deep and broad knowledge and understanding of CUNA's top advocacy issues and operations of the organization,” said CUNA Chairman Dennis Pierce, president/CEO of the $2 billion CommunityAmerica Credit Union in Lenexa, Kan. “During this interim period between CEOs, I expect CUNA and its members will have a steady hand at the helm.”

Cheney said, “I've worked with Bill on a host of issues affecting the credit union system at large and policy issues specifically. Bill understands intuitively what credit unions need and want; I fully endorse his selection to oversee CUNA's efforts during the interim period.”

Hampel has served on the board of directors for Great Wisconsin Credit Union, formerly known as CUNA Credit Union, from 1991 to 2003, including two years as chair. He was also a member of the National Cooperative Bank board.