TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Patrick La Pine, CEO of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions, is leaving the organization effective today, with the league announcing it has elevated several people to new roles.
In an emailed statement, La Pine said he exited the league because he had accomplished what he set out to do. The League of Southeastern Credit Unions serves credit union in Florida, Georgia and Alabama.
With La Pine's departure, LSCU and Affiliates said President Samantha Beeler and Affiliated Consolidated Services and LEVERAGE President Steve Willis will hold a dual-executive leadership role, and will now directly report to the league’s board.
‘Greater Collaboration’
The move will enable “greater collaboration and innovation as the League and Affiliated Consolidated Services and LEVERAGE continue building momentum around key initiatives,” the league said in a statement.
It said Beeler will maintain oversight of LSCU’s advocacy, compliance and risk, communications, member engagement, education and training, and the Southeastern Credit Union Foundation.
Willis will continue to oversee Affiliated Consolidated Services and LEVERAGE, which encompass 12 companies and more than 30 strategic partnerships designed to “build stronger industry relationships, and to provide innovative products, services, and solutions that are helping over 600 credit unions in nearly every state to prosper, grow, and meet the evolving needs of their members,” the league said.
‘Exciting Moment’
“This is an exciting moment for our association and the credit union industry as a whole,” League Chairman Hank Halter said in a statement. “Under this new, collaborative leadership structure, we are doubling down on our commitment to trusted advocacy, exceptional service, and attention and support to our member credit unions. There has never been a better time for the League and our members to accelerate our efforts to help credit unions grow and succeed for the benefit of their member shareholders. We commend Samantha and Steve for their leadership to date, and for their enthusiasm as we look forward to the success of their work together for the league.”
La Pine: 'A Life-Changing Experience'
In an email message sent by La Pine, he noted he had been with the association since 2009, joining right after member CUs of the Florida and Alabama leagues had voted to form an umbrella association, of which he became the first president and CEO.
“At the time, I was given a blank sheet of paper by the board of directors and instructed to create a world-class regional trade association representing credit unions. Together, we did just that,” La Pine wrote.
He noted that during his tenure CU affiliation had growth to 90% from 76%, revenues to $44.5 million from $6.5 million, and total assets to $65 million from $39.8 million.
“This was done while also lowering the organization’s dependency on membership dues to fund the organization to just 13% of its operating budget, returning millions to credit unions in the form of dues rebates and value transfers, increasing the League’s net promoter score among credit unions to 79, and our employee engagement score to 89%, becoming a ‘Best Companies to Work For’ in Alabama and an ‘Employer of Choice’ in Florida and Georgia,” he stated.
In 2019, La Pine also oversaw a merger between LSCU & Affiliates and Georgia Credit Union Affiliates.
“The last 15 years as CEO of LSCU & Affiliates has been a life-changing experience both for me and my family,” La Pine wrote. “Coming off arguably our most successful year ever, passing public deposit legislation in Florida during Q1 2024, it’s time for new leadership. I’ve done what I came here to accomplish back in the summer of 2009. In the short run, I plan to take some time off and then look for other ways to be engaged with credit unions and the industry that aligns with my personal and professional interests at this point in my career.”
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