HOUSTON – After 26 years of serving as Smart Financial Credit Union's CEO, Gary Tuma retired effective Dec. 31, the $632 million CU said Wednesday.
Smart Financial appointed Larry Seidl, previously its chief lending officer, as Tuma's successor effective Jan. 1.
Under Tuma's leadership, Smart Financial grew from $82 million in assets to more $600 million and increased membership from 37,000 to more than to than 77,000. In 2013, the credit union formed its own foundation – the Smart Financial Foundation – to guide its corporate philanthropy efforts and support charities that help children, indigent healthcare and the educational community.
Also during Tuma's tenure, Smart Financial was honored two years in a row by Texas Monthly as one of the Top Places to Work in Texas. In 2014 it relocated from its Newcastle location to a new corporate headquarters in the Westchase District, naming the new building in honor of Tuma.
According to the credit union, one of the crowning moments of Tuma's time with Smart Financial occurred in February 2015, when the credit union entered into a 10-year naming rights agreement with the City of Sugar Land and ACE SL, LLC securing the naming rights for a new $84 million indoor performance center. Set to open in the fall, the Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land recently celebrated a topping off ceremony, marking one-year until the venue's projected opening date.
In 2011, the Texas Credit Union League named Tuma its Professional of the Year and Texas Governor Rick Perry appointed Tuma to a six-year term on the Texas Credit Union Commission.
"It has truly been an honor to work with the team at Smart Financial Credit Union," Tuma said in a statement. "I am confident that Smart Financial will continue to flourish under Larry's guidance and leadership."
Tuma had a 36-year career serving a number of Texas credit unions, located in Austin, Corpus Christi and Houston. He currently serves on the board of directors for the CHRISTUS Foundation, Smart Financial Foundation, and Career and Recovery Resources, Inc.
Tuma previously served on the board of directors for the Texas Credit Union League, Austin, Corpus Christi, and Houston Credit Union Chapters and the Texas Institute of Certified Credit Union Executives, among others.
