PLYMOUTH, Mich.—The $1.2-billion Community Financial Credit Union has named a new president and CEO to succeed the retiring Bill Lawton, who has had a 40-year career in credit unions. CFCU has named Tansley Stearns to lead the organization.
Stearns, who has a 24-year career in credit unions, has most recently served as COO at the $3.8-billion Canvas Credit Union in Colorado, where she oversaw a transformation to a new brand from Public Service Credit Union, its prior name.
“The opportunity to serve Community Financial Credit Union as the new president and CEO brings a dream to life,” said Stearns. “Bill Lawton, the board, and CFCU team have done incredible work for years, and I am humbled to launch into this next chapter with our members, community, and team. I believe in the possibility of the cooperative finance business model, and I love the state of Michigan. We will make impossible things a reality together as we create an impact for Michiganders for years to come.”
Added Canvas CU CEO Todd Marksberry, “During Tansley’s four years at Canvas, she invited all of us to believe in impossible things. She envisioned and brought to life an innovative approach to human resources and prepared us to scale well into the future. She built an iterative strategic cycle that keeps our leaders learning and growing. Most recently she led our retail teams ensuring a transformed Canvas experience. We celebrate her bringing her dream of becoming a president & CEO to life. We will always consider her part of our credit union and Canvas family.”
Long Career
Lawton joined Community Financial in 1982, his father, George Lawton, served as general manager of Community Financial.
“Little did Bill know that he would be able to follow in his father’s footsteps. He became a staple of the Plymouth community, working hard to improve peoples’ lives and make the communities he served better places to live and work,” the credit union said.
Community Financial has approximately 62,000 members.