WASHINGTON — CUNA President and CEO Bill Cheney is leaving his post in June to take the helm at $9.7 billion SchoolsFirst FCU in Santa Ana, Calif.
Before joining CUNA in 2010, Cheney was president and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues.
CUNA said it is conducting a national search to fill Cheney's position and will consider candidates from both inside and outside of the credit union community.
"We will be looking for leadership that can bring to bear the talents of the exceptional team that we have on board at CUNA now, and leverage the strengths of the three-tiered system of CUNA, the state credit union leagues, and credit unions to achieve our goals and strengthen the movement," said CUNA Chairman Dennis Pierce.
Pierce recognized Cheney's numerous accomplishments as the leader of CUNA. He pointed to Cheney helping to protect the credit union tax exemption; establishing the first-ever shared, strategic vision for the credit union movement; and developing an approach to communicate credit union concerns and interests to Congress with a "535-seat strategy."
Cheney thanked the CU community for its support during his tenure.
"I take on this new role at SchoolsFirst knowing that, with the backing of the CUNA board, the state leagues, and CUNA staff, we have accomplished much. However, the work will continue without interruption."
Pierce noted that Cheney will take a consulting role in the leadership search for the association during his remaining time at trade association.
Current SchoolsFirst FCU CEO, Rudy Hanley, announced early this year that he would retire from the credit union after 31 years of service.
Cheney's departure follows the
