ORLANDO, Fla.–As part of a broader effort to better diversify the credit union workforce, the first group of future credit union front-line workers is set to go to work in the southeastern U.S.
Patrick LaPine, CEO of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates, which represents CUs in Alabama, Florida and Georgia, told the association’s annual convention and exposition that the association’s Foundation has been working to train a diverse group of candidates to work in front-line positions inside credit unions. Those positions have been tough to fill for credit unions and banks alike due to extremely tight labor markets.
LaPine said the first tranche of 25 people will have completed the training program; 75 people in all are currently participating.
LaPine noted LSCU has also been funding scholarships at two historically black colleges and universities—Morehouse University in Georgia and Tuskegee University in Alabama—for students interested in making a career in credit unions.
“We want to bring in folks who never thought they would be able to work in the credit union,” said LaPine. “The goal is to continue to advance and have a robust program to help funnel more diversity into credit unions.”
New Board
During the meeting, LSCU also announced theresults of its 2022 board elections. Board members were elected from Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, and each elected director represents a region and credit union size of membership.
The newly elected and incumbent elected directors are:
- Sharon Downing, President/CEO, Alabama River Credit Union
- Bobby Michael, President/CEO, All In Credit Union
- Richard Skaggs, President/CEO, University of South Florida Federal Credit Union
- Steve Moseley, President/CEO, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union
- Brian Akin, President/CEO, North Georgia Credit Union
- Roy Bibb, President/CEO, MidSouth Community Federal Credit Union
The LSCU board is made up of 18 credit union President/CEOs, as well as LSCU CEO Patrick La Pine. Alabama, Florida, and Georgia each elect six representatives to the Board and Directors serve three-year terms.
This year, there are three outgoing board members as well, which include:
- Kevin Johnson, President/CEO, Suncoast Credit Union
- Joseph McGee, President/CEO, Legacy Community Federal Credit Union
- Andy Harris, President/CEO, Coosa Valley Credit Union
“I want to thank our incoming and outgoing Directors for volunteering to be a part of the LSCU Board,” said Kevin Johnson, chairman of the LSCU board and president/CEO of Suncoast Credit Union in Tampa. “The decisions we make have long-lasting impacts on credit unions and their members. I’m humbled to work with these men and women as we continue to strengthen the credit union movement. I also want to thank our member credit unions that participated in the 2022 election process.”