Stephanie Smith was appointed the new executive director of theAmerica's Credit Union Museum in Manchester, N.H., accordingthe Maine Credit Union League.

Smith replaced Peggy Powell who will retire after 15 years ofservice.

Powell oversaw the restoration project of the building thathoused the first credit union in the U.S., according to themuseum.

She also worked with the family of the industry's first creditunion manager, Joseph Boivin, to restore the authenticity of therooms that were used to welcome credit union members into theirhome in 1908.

Powell helped build and pilot the museum's CU 4 Reality program, bringing together educators and creditunion professionals to develop a curriculum focused on financialeducation for elementary, middle, and high schoolstudents.

The program has grown steadily and is now used in seven statesand in Germany. More than 17,000 students participated in the CU 4Realty program last year, the museum said.

Smith joined America's Credit Union Museum after spending thepast 10 years at St. Paul's School, a prep school in Concord, N.H.,where she worked in all areas of the development office.

John Murphy, president/CEO of the Maine Credit Union League, whoalso serves on the museum's board of directors, expressed hisappreciation to Powell for her service and said he looks forward toworking with Smith.