In the first month of year, credit unions in California, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Nebraska, publicly announced the appointment of new CEOs.

The board of directors of Altura Credit Union in Riverside, Calif. announced that Jennifer Binkley was selected to succeed long-time President/CEO Mark Hawkins.

Binkley, who has served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Altura for nine years, will become the new CEO on Feb. 20, the credit union said in a prepared statement.

“Jennifer has come up through the ranks of Altura, and she has proven herself every step of the way,” Hawkins said. “She is well prepared for the challenges she will face as CEO. She understands Altura, is dedicated to meeting our members' needs and is devoted to our community. Jennifer is going to do a great job and I'm excited for her.”

Hawkins, 65, is credited with growing Altura over the last 29 years from $37 million in assets to its current $1.2 billion in assets, and growing the credit union's membership from 14,000 to more than 117,000. In addition, under his leadership the credit union expanded from three branches and 28 employees to 13 branches and 327 employees.

The board of directors for the $414 million CP Federal Credit Union in Jackson, Mich., selected Chrissy Siders to serve as its new president/CEO.

She will replace John Crist who will retire in July.

Crist served CP Federal Credit Union more than 43 years as a volunteer supervisory committee member, board member and board chair. He became president/CEO in 1997. Under his leadership, CP Federal Credit Union grew its assets, branches and members.

Siders joined CP Federal Credit Union in 1998 as a teller and moved up in several departments spanning from accounting to compliance and risk management eventually becoming vice president of risk management and specialized lending.

“Chrissy will make a wonderful president/CEO,” Crist said. “Her experience and passion for the Credit Union and leadership will contribute to the future success of CP Federal Credit Union.”

The $277 million Richfield-Bloomington Credit Union in Bloomington, Minn. named Gregory Worthen as its new president/CEO.

He replaced Karen Hoeppner.

Before joining RBCU, Worthen served as chief operating officer/senior vice president for the $667 million 1st MidAmerica Credit Union in Bethalto, Ill. He also worked as the credit union's vice president of strategic operations and lending.

Lynn Stephenson was appointed president/CEO of West-Aircomm Federal Credit Union in Beaver, Pa.

Stephenson succeeded Ray Brunner who retired after 31 years of service.

Stephenson, who joined the credit union 35 years ago, most recently served as executive vice president for the credit union.

Brunner, who was hired to run West-Aircomm in 1985 when it had assets of $25 million, grew the credit unions assets to $212 million.

“Ray Brunner set the bar high, and I appreciate the support I am receiving from the West-Aircomm members, board of directors and employees as I assume the role of CEO,” Stephenson said in a prepared statement.

Hired as a loan clerk, Stephenson rose through West-Aircomm's ranks over the years.

The $177 million Mutual Savings Credit Union in Birmingham, Ala., appointed Kendall Speed as president/CEO.

He succeeds Douglas Key who will remain with credit union as its senior vice president of strategic planning.

Speed joined Mutual Savings CU more than 15 years ago and recently served as its chief financial officer and executive vice president.

Janeane Whitney was named president/CEO of the $35.3 million U.P. Connection Federal Credit Union in Omaha, Neb.

She replaced Jan Kounkel who retired after 25 years of service.

Whitney, who most recently served as vice president of lending, joined the credit union two years ago. She holds more than 35 of experience in retail banking.

Instant Insights /

Credit Unions Across Six States Appoint New CEOs

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