McDaniel to Retire as President/CEO of First Financial Credit Union

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Jeff McDaniel, who has served as president/CEO of First Financial CU for nearly two decades, announced his plans to retire June 30. McDaniel has worked for First Financial since 1973. Under his guidance since he became president/CEO in 1987, the CU has grown from $50 million to more than $290 million in assets. The CU currently has nearly 44,000 members. During his career with the CU, he served on the Credit Union Association of New Mexico's board of directors for eight years, five of which were as chairman. He also acted as Trustee of the Credit Union Legislative Action Committee, chairman of the association's Political Involvement and Government Affairs committees for several years, headed a committee charged with updating the New Mexico Credit Union Act, and helped secure passage of the Credit Union Modernization Act by the New Mexico legislature. McDaniel has also worked with the CUANM's Public Relations Committee in its efforts to promote the credit union difference to protect against potential credit union taxation legislation in New Mexico. As a result of his contributions to the industry, McDaniel received in 1994 the Outstanding Professional Award of the Credit Union Association of New Mexico. McDaniel has also been active in the credit union trade associations, serving on committees of NAFCU, CUNA, and the Rocky Mountain Credit Union Executive Society. He has also served on the Southwest Corporate FCU Board and has frequently led volunteer efforts by First Financial CU staff to support New Mexico credit unions in need of technical assistance. A First Financial spokesperson said the CU's Management Recruiting group is working with the credit union on a CEO search.