LOS ANGELES–Firefighters First Credit Union has named a successor to retiring CEO Mike Mastro.
The $1.1-billion FFCU said it named Executive Vice President Dixie Abramian as president on Jan. 1, and on April 15 she will add the CEO title.
Mastro has been CEO for the past 24 years, and has spent 36 years in credit unions.
“My first job at this credit union was as financial controller – a position that would be called the chief financial officer today,” Mastro recalled. “In those days the top job was general manager. I became the equivalent of executive vice president in about 1988. In 1992, I became president and CEO.”
Mastro counts Doris Zuckerman, his predecessor as CEO, as the biggest influence on his career. “She is now deceased, unfortunately, but Doris really drove the concept of personal service and the special nature of our firefighters. From her, I learned how to treat firefighters well.”
“No single person in our history has had a greater impact on this organization than Mike Mastro,” noted Board Chair Scott Gribbons, a 29-year veteran of the LA City Fire Department. “Mike’s leadership has had a significant and positive impact on our organization, our employees, our members, the board, and me personally. Congratulations, Mike, on a remarkable career.”
The search for Mastro’s successor was led by Mitchell, Stankovic and Associates. Abramian has been with the credit union for more than 24 years, and began with the CU as a teller. She worked her way up in the organization through collections, training, marketing, business development and prior to her promotion to EVP, as the chief strategy and operations officer.
“I am very proud of our deep commitment to providing legendary service,” Abramian said. “We measure ourselves to ensure we are the best of the best, because that is what our members deserve. Our mission remains steadfast – to improve the financial lives of our fire family.”