Tampa-based Grow Financial will start the new decade with a new face at the helm.
CEO Robert Fisher is retiring after 29 years with the credit union. Thomas Feindt, a former EVP who was appointed president in January 2019, will take over as president and CEO on Jan. 1, 2020.
During Fisher’s tenure the credit union grew from $243 million in assets to more than $2.8 billion, expanding into multiple states and growing from 60,000 members to more than 200,000. He also oversaw the rebranding from MacDill FCU to Grow Financial in 2007, a name intended to reflect a more open field of membership
“For 20 years, I have been privileged to witness Bob’s transformational leadership,” Grow Financial board chair Robert LaPlant said in an announcement on the credit union’s website. “We’ve worked tirelessly to develop a culture and leadership team that positions the credit union to succeed in a rapidly changing environment while remaining true to our core value of putting people over profit. On behalf of the entire membership, we are grateful for Bob’s service.”
Feindt came to the credit union in 2011 as an EVP, and since then helped launch new branch locations across the Tampa area and into South Carolina. He has held senior roles at Navy Federal Credit Union and State Employees’ Credit Union in North Carolina.
“I appreciate the confidence Bob and our board has placed in me,” said Feindt. “I consider it a high honor to be entrusted with the future of the credit union. I have no doubt our extraordinary team members and dedicated leadership team will build upon the legacy that Bob leaves behind.”
Along with his time at Grow, Fisher also served on the board for the National Association of Federally-Insured Credit Unions and will retire from NAFCU's board as well.
“NAFCU has benefited greatly from Bob’s dedication to the credit union industry, and we thank him for his years of extraordinary service to credit unions, including his service on numerous NAFCU committees and the NAFCU Services board of directors," Jeanne Kucey, NAFCU board chair and president and CEO of JetStream FCU, said in a statement. "We wish him well in retirement, and his insights will continue to help guide us as we move forward.”
Call reports show Grow Financial posted about $10.9 million in net income during the first three quarters of 2019, the most recent data available, similar to its net income from the same period one year prior.
