CUNA and NAFCU Announce Members of Merger Transition Board

Learn who will lead the team overseeing CUNA and NAFCU's proposed merger into America's Credit Unions.

David Baumann

Published

Aug 9

2023

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Trade associations unveil team leading move towards America’s Credit Unions.

CUNA and NAFCU took the next step in their proposed merger this week, announcing the appointment of Brian Schools as the combined association’s first chair.

“I am honored to be at the forefront of a vote for a historic merger where CUNA’s and NAFCU’s collective influence will prove to be a powerful force when advocating with regulators and lawmakers from all levels of government,” Schools said. “I am confident that we will continue to provide innovative, collaborative, and aggressive advocacy to bring victories for our credit union members and ensure the industry’s best days are ahead of us.”

Schools is president/CEO of Chartway Federal Credit Union in Virginia.

Backstory and Context

The two credit union trade associations last week announced an intent to merge into one organization, America’s Credit Unions. The merger is subject to approval by the membership of the two groups.

CUNA and NAFCU also announced Lisa Ginter, current chair of the CUNA board of directors and CEO of CommunityAmerica Credit Union in Kansas, as the transition board’s vice chair.

Additionally, the groups revealed that Pat Pierce, CEO of City and County Credit Union in Minnesota, will serve as treasurer, while Karen Harbin, president/CEO of the Commonwealth Credit Union in Kentucky, will serve as secretary.

Full Transition Team

The two organizations also announced the remainder of the 16-member transition board. The group is made up of members of each association’s executive committee and Jim Nussle, who will serve as America’s Credit Unions’ first president/CEO.

Members include:

–Lonnie Nicholson, president/CEO of Educational Employees Credit Union in California.

–Nader Moghaddam, president/CEO of Financial Partners Credit Union in California.

–Jeff Olson, president/CEO of the Dakota Credit Union Association.

–Gary Grinnell, president/CEO of Corning Federal Credit Union in New York.

–Lori Herrick, president/CEO of Manchester Municipal Federal Credit Union in Connecticut.

–Scott Simpson, president/CEO of Utah’s Credit Unions.

–Melanie Kennedy, president of Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union in Texas.

–Keith Sultemeier, president/CEO of Kinecta Federal Credit Union in California.

–Brian Best, CEO of GTE Financial Credit Union in Florida.

–Jim Morrell, president/CEO of Peninsula Community Federal Credit Union in Washington.

–Amy Sink, CEO of Interra Credit Union in Indiana.

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