PORTSMOUTH, N.H. —Credit union CEOs in two states have announced retirement plans.
In New Hampshire, after nearly 19 years of service to credit unions, Northeast Credit Union, President and CEO Timothy J. Collia has announced plans to retire this summer.
Collia spent 10 years as the president/chief executive officer of Woodlands Credit Union and the last seven years leading Northeast Credit Union.
According to the credit union, since Collia became president and CEO in 2014, Northeast Credit Union has expanded its branch network to 19 locations from 14, completed a successful merger with the Ocean Communities Federal Credit Union and expanded the organization’s footprint in Maine, increased assets to $1.8-billion from $1 billion, and grown membership to more than 139,000 from 101,000.
Collia is also had the great honor of leading the only credit union in New Hampshire to be named to the Forbes “Best Credit Unions” list the last three years in a row.
‘So Many Talented People’
In addition, Northeast CU said that as a champion of community service and giving back, Collia grew the CU’s scholarship program to $40,000, launched the “Love Your Community” initiative, and established the Northeast Credit Union Foundation.
“It’s been an honor to work with so many talented people and serve so many kind and caring members. We will miss New England a great deal but my wife, Doreen, and I are looking forward to being closer to our family,” shared Collia. “From a credit union perspective, I’ve always felt that membership growth is an important indicator of whether we are living up to our mission. It demonstrates that we are enhancing lives by building strong relationships with members and the community. Mission accomplished!” he concluded.
Collia will be stepping down from the president/CEO position effective July 2. A successor has not yet been announced.
Mark Kelly Announces Retirement Plans
Meanwhile, in Oklahoma City, Okla., Mark Kelly, long-time president and CEO of Oklahoma’s Credit Union, has announced he will retire in April.
According to the Cornerstone Credit Union League, Kelly’s tenure at the credit union spans more than four decades, first working as an assistant manager before moving to the role of president and CEO in 1981. During that time, he has overseen growth to more than $640 million in assets at year-end 2020.
Kelly’s many roles in the credit union movement include serving as a member of the board of directors of the Oklahoma Credit Union League, Oklahoma State Credit Union, and Oklahoma Credit Union Political Action Committee, the CCUL reported. He was also appointed to the Oklahoma Consumer Credit Commission and the Cornerstone Oklahoma Government Affairs subcommittee. In 2014, Kelly was named the Cornerstone Credit Union League Professional of the Year.
“Mark Kelly has left an indelible mark on the credit union industry,” said Cornerstone League President/CEO Caroline Willard. “We thank him for his contributions to the industry throughout his career and wish him the best as he enters this new chapter in his life.”
Kelly also has been a champion and volunteer for Credit Unions for Kids, the national program through which he has helped raise millions for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, the league noted.
‘An Everlasting Impact’
“Mark has made an everlasting impact on this credit union and our community,” said Luann Schmiedel, OKCU executive vice president. “He has been a valued mentor for me and many others. It’s been an honor and a privilege to work with someone who cares about people as much as Mark.”
The credit union has approximately 47,000 members. A successor was not publicly named.