Retiring CEO Derrick Ragland (left) and incoming CEO Andy Rush. (Credit/Southern Energy CU)
After 43 years of service, Derrick E. Ragland Jr. will retire from his role as president/CEO of Southern Energy Credit Union on Sept. 30, 2025.
The credit union’s Board of Directors has appointed Andy Rush, current vice president and COO for the $3.6 billion, Birmingham, Ala.-based Southern Energy, to take over the helm as president/CEO effective Oct. 1, according to a Tuesday announcement about the leadership transition.
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Ragland worked in multiple departments at Southern Energy prior to becoming president/CEO in 2016. Under his leadership, the credit union’s accomplishments included completing two mergers that led to a rebrand in the last two years, and establishing the Southern Energy Credit Union Foundation to support long-term charitable giving.
“We would like to thank Derrick for his long history of dedicated service. He has strategically set up our credit union for long-term sustainability and success,” Board of Directors Chairman Greg Shipp stated. “With Andy’s vision, experience and passion for our organization, we’re confident he’ll build on our success while keeping members at the heart of it all.”
Rush has been with the credit union for 23 years, over which time he has worked in accounting and operations, developing expertise in strategic planning, operational excellence and member-focused innovation.
“Throughout my 43 years with the credit union, it’s been a privilege watching this credit union grow and innovate, while staying true to our values and member-first approach,” Ragland stated. “After working with Andy for 23 years, I have full confidence in his ability to guide our credit union into the future.”
Rush commented, “It has been an honor to serve and learn under Derrick’s leadership, and I am grateful for the opportunity to build upon his legacy. Through my time with our organization, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know our members, our staff and the heart of this credit union. I’ve seen firsthand how our commitment to our members and community has always come first – that commitment will not change as we move forward.”
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Natasha Chilingerian
Natasha Chilingerian has been immersed in the credit union industry for over a decade. She first joined CU Times in 2011 as a freelance writer, and following a two-year hiatus from 2013-2015, during which time she served as a communications specialist for Xceed Financial Credit Union (now Kinecta Federal Credit Union), she re-joined the CU Times team full-time as managing editor. She was promoted to executive editor in 2019. In the earlier days of her career, Chilingerian focused on news and lifestyle journalism, serving as a writer and editor for numerous regional publications in Oregon, Louisiana, South Carolina and the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, she holds experience in marketing copywriting for companies in the finance and technology space. At CU Times, she covers People and Community news, cybersecurity, fintech partnerships, marketing, workplace culture, leadership, DEI, branch strategies, digital banking and more. She currently works remotely and splits her time between Southern California and Portland, Ore.
