CHARLESTON, W. Va. — A leadership change is on the horizon at Pioneer West Virginia Federal Credit Union.
Dana Rawlings, president and chief executive of the $180 million, 17,000-member CU said in a statement that he will retire effective Sept. 30, and Dan McGowan, executive vice president and chief financial officer, will take the helm.
Rawlings plans to retire to Tucson, Ariz., where he will remain active in the local CU community, Pioneer West Virginia said in the statement.
He joined Pioneer West Virginia in July 2010, bringing McGowan aboard shortly after as the two worked to turn,around the failing CU.
Since Rawlings came aboard, the CU increased its assets by 38%, to $180 million, from $130 million, completed three loan mergers, rebranded and generated more than $43 million in earnings.
During his tenure, Pioneer West Virginia was also recognized as a NAFCU "Credit Union of the Year" in 2012, while he was named "CEO of the Year" by the trade group last year.
Speaking in a statement released by the CU, Rawlings called the past four years the most fulfilling of his career.
"It's been a pleasure to have worked alongside the finest credit union board of directors to be found anywhere. I wouldn't have been successful here without their wholehearted support and that of a dedicated hardworking staff," Rawlings said.
"Dana's hiring as CEO is an example of being the right person at the right time," Pioneer West Virginia chairman Terry Richardson said in a statement. "He brought a vision and high energy to the CEO role, which provided the spark that we needed."
Richardson and other Pioneer West Virginia board members spoke equally highly of McGowan's ascension.
"It's great to have an opportunity to promote from within, and we are fortunate to have a talent like Dan McGowan who is ready to step in and keep us moving in a positive direction," Richardson said.
For his part, McGowan praised Rawlings' leadership.
"From the first time we ever talked about me coming to PWV, Dana and I shared the same vision of developing Pioneer into one of the finest credit unions to be found anywhere," he said in a statement.
"We've clearly moved toward that under Dana's leadership. It's a tradition I fully intend to continue," McGowan said.
