BALTIMORE–Two credit unions have named new presidents and CEOs.
In Maryland,Securityplus FCU has named Tricia Szurgot as its new leader.
Szurgot most recently served as EVP/COO with First Commonwealth FCU in Pennsylvania. During her five-plus years with First Commonwealth FCU, the credit union said Szurgot was the driving force behind the organization’s strategic business, brand and cultural transformation, nearly doubling its asset size to more than $1 billion, implementing new mission, vision and core values, building and opening seven new branches and a new 81,000-square-foot corporate headquarters with income-generating tenant spaces.
The $520-million Securityplus said Szurgot also helped to found FCFCU’s award-winning corporate social responsibility, financial wellness and empowerment, diversity, equity and inclusion, WE Thrive Foundation and BankOn/Cities for Financial Empowerment (CFE) initiatives. Prior to First Commonwealth, she served in executive leadership roles for organizations of varying sizes and complexities up to $5 billion in and out of the financial services industry, and has worked with some of the world’s top experience brands, the CU said.
‘Thrilled to Join’
“I’m thrilled to join such an outstanding and well-respected organization with so much potential,” said Szurgot. “I’m humbled and honored to be chosen for this role by the board of directors and look forward to leading Securityplus FCU into the future, delivering on our mission and making an immediate positive difference in the lives of our employees, members, partners and communities. I’m excited to collaborate with such passionate, talented and committed volunteers, employees and community leaders, and to work together to enable a higher-level financial inclusivity, empowerment and equity for our members, potential members and individuals, families and businesses throughout the Baltimore rea. My husband, Rob, and son, Jack, are equally excited to become part of our new and thriving community.”
Humanidei & O’Rourke handled the search.
Interim CEO Acknowledged
CIO Mike Keener Jr. served as interim CEO for Securityplus FCU since July of 2021. In a statement Chairman Carolyn A. Brooks stated, “The board wants to thank Mike for his outstanding leadership during this interim period and his continued contribution to Securityplus FCU as Chief Information Officer. We appreciate the many hats Mike wore over the last eight months and how well he has set us up for continued success. We are all excited and ready for Tricia to lead the credit union into the future.”
New CEO in Maine
Meanwhile, in Augusta, Maine, Maine State Credit Union has named Stephen Wallace as its new president/CEO to succeed Tucker Cole, who is retiring June 1, 2022. Wallace had previously served as executive VP.
Wallace joined the $576-million Maine State Credit Union in 2017 as VP-lending and was promoted to SVP-retail in 2020 and then EVP in 2021.
Wallace started his financial service career at Fleet Bank and worked at Camden National Bank as head of retail banking, overseeing its branch network. Before joining Maine State Credit Union, Wallace worked as a consultant helping community banks and credit unions develop a customer-centric sales model.
"Steve exemplifies what Maine State Credit Union is," said Board Chair George Lapointe, "He lives the credit union mission each day and encourages a culture of learning and development in serving our members. He has a great vision for the future of the credit union and understands the importance of providing digital banking tools, and human interaction is the key to continued growth."
Devoted Career
The credit union said Cole has devoted most of his career to the credit union movement beginning at Evergreen Credit Union and then joining Maine State Credit Union in 2016 as president and CEO. Cole also served a term as chairman of the Maine Credit Union League.
During his tenure at Maine State Credit Union, Cole has led the organization's digital transformation, created a commercial business division, and expanded its membership to include Cumberland, Androscoggin, and Sagadahoc counties.
"The employees at Maine State Credit Union are fortunate to have a great person and leader as their new president and CEO of Maine State Credit Union,” said Cole. “Stephen is someone who believes in the importance of great workplace culture.”