Patrick La Pine, executive vice president and head of association services for the Michigan Credit Union League, has been named president/CEO of the newly formed League of Southeastern Credit Unions, effective Aug. 3.
La Pine's selection by a committee representing the soon-to-be-consolidated Florida and Alabama Credit Union Leagues culminates a four-month search and sets up year-end completion of the formal merger process for the two trade groups.
La Pine, who has been chief lobbyist for the Michigan trade group, which he joined in 1999, replaces retiring CEOs Guy Hood of the Florida League and Gary Wolter of the Alabama League, both veteran managers slated to leave their respective organizations this month.
In his Michigan league job, La Pine, a former staffer for Michigan lawmakers before joining the trade group, had managed a broad portfolio, including governmental and public affairs, education, information services and membership relations.
He is credited with shepherding modernization of the Michigan Credit Union Act, coordinating successful lobbying at the federal and state levels and such innovations as an expanded CU Difference Campaign, Invest in America, CUBE TV and the Defense Fund.
In an interview, La Pine acknowledged he faces a daunting but important task in managing a newly created regional entity with the potential to wield major influence at the state and federal levels in support of CUs.
"I realized when I sought this job that I would have my hands full, but I also realize the organization model that can be built from two healthy leagues," declared La Pine, a former aide to U.S. Sen. Donald Riegle of Michigan.
For the time being, until the IRS gives final clearance to the merger of the Alabama and Florida leagues, La Pine said his most immediate task in "managing two leagues" at once will be to become familiar with CU leaders and government and market structures in the two states.
Over the pre-July 4 holiday period, he planned visits with CU executives in both Birmingham, Ala., and Tallahassee, Fla. His plan, he said, is to set up a temporary base in Tallahassee.
The combined LSCU will represent 322 CUs with $55 billion in assets. Though incorporated in Alabama, the newly structured LSCU board expects to find a Florida headquarters, with Tallahassee, Orlando and Tampa all being considered, he said.
La Pine, who celebrated his 40th birthday on July 5, said he had received "a great gift" by landing the LSCU job. He added that despite the financial blight encompassing Florida and the prospect of membership losses from mergers, he was drawn to the job by the "huge growth potential" in the two states.
As a native Michigander who grew up in metro Detroit, La Pine said the job represents a career challenge-but one with the potential for growth. That's because more southern leagues might eventually join up, but he said he knew of no recent direct talks about affiliations.
He said he expects LSCU will shoulder "political weight" in Congress and in the state houses on such matters as the single-regulator challenge, card interchange fees and corporate stabilization. It is unfortunate, he said, that CUs have had to "bear the burden of collateral damage" from the bank and financial crisis.
–jrubenstein@cutimes.com
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