Rick Shaw Rick Shaw

Rick Shaw has been named president/CEO of Tropical Financial Credit Union in Miramar, Fla., the board of directors said Monday.

He succeeds Richard Helber, who stepped down as Tropical Financial's CEO after 12 years of service and is retiring after working in the credit union industry for more than 40 years.

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During Helber's executive leadership tenure, the credit union grew assets from $585 million in 2010 to its current $1 billion, while membership expanded from 62,000 to more than 67,000, according to NCUA Call Reports.

Richard Helber Richard Helber

"He guided us through some tough times and put Tropical on a path of growth and innovation, resulting in us recently topping $1 billion in assets," Tropical Financial Board Chair Rick Wisniewski said in a prepared statement. "He's leaving us in great financial condition and on a solid course for the future as he moves into retirement."

Helber will continue to be engaged with Tropical Financial to provide transition leadership through the end of the year.

The credit union hired Shaw in 2015 as CFO from Union Federal Savings Bank in North Providence, R.I., where he served as its president/CEO for more than eight years. In addition to working as a management and strategic consultant, the CPA also served as an attorney providing legal representation for financial institutions and worked as a staff accountant for Deloitte.

Before taking over the CEO's post on May 1, Shaw most recently served as Tropical Financial's COO.

"Shaw has proven capabilities and will provide continuity in executing our strategy," Wisniewski said.

Tropical Financial's 184 employees operate seven branches.

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Peter Strozniak

Credit Union Times reporter covering credit union operations, fraud, M&As, leagues, business continuity, and breaking news.