Meriwest Credit Union promotes chief operating officer to CEO

Meriwest Credit Union says it will promote Lisa Pesta to be its next president and CEO.

She will replace Julie Kirsch, who is retiring after 32 years of leadership roles with the $2.2 billion-asset Meriwest.

Meriwest did not say when the CEO change would occur.

Pesta has been with San Jose, California-based Meriwest directing the human resources, training and facilities functions since 2000. In 2013 she was promoted to and currently holds the title of executive vice president and chief operating officer in charge of digital strategy and engagement, retail operations, operational support, marketing and human resources/training and facilities.

"I am beyond confident that Meriwest's next CEO, Lisa Pesta, will lead Meriwest to even greater accomplishments and continue to enhance our member experience," Kirsch said in a press release Friday.

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Kirsch became Meriwest's CEO in 2013 and transformed the credit union from a single sponsor to a community-based credit union, a move which also included a name change and rebranding efforts. She was also instrumental in market expansion and merger and acquisition activities.

Meriwest reported net income of approximately $9 million in 2022, a 5% decrease compared with a year earlier, according to call report data from the National Credit Union Administration.