MORA, Minn. — After leading Greater Minnesota Credit Union for 27 years, CEO Steve Ahlness will retire July 1.
Ahlness has been with the CU for a total of 37 years and is only the third CEO in the organization's 79-year history.
The credit union's board of directors are currently exploring a partnership with $627 million SPIRE CU in Falcon Heights, Minn., according to a published report.
During Ahlness' tenure as CEO, he guided the GMCU from $1.5 million in assets to nearly $150 million today, and membership increased 4,800 members to nearly 20,000.
"Steve Ahlness has been a very strong leader... and one who has managed the company through challenging times and many financial innovations," said Board Chairman Darla Stenstrom. "The board is grateful for his innumerable contributions to Greater Minnesota."
"It has been a privilege leading Greater Minnesota Credit Union for nearly four decades," Ahlness said. "I started at a time when all of our business was done in person; and often with a handshake. Now we have multiple-generations of families as members and while some still do come into a branch, many are just as happy to apply for their loan online and follow-up with telephone calls and e-mails."
