OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.–Credit Unions in Oklahoma and Ohio have named new CEOs.
Oklahoma’s Credit Union has named a new president and CEO. The $641-million OKCU has selected Luann Schmiedel to lead the organization and succeed Mark Kelly, who retired after 40 years at OKCU.
Schmiedel’s tenure at OKCU spans more than three decades, beginning when she joined as the marketing director in 1986. She rose through the ranks to her most recent position as executive vice president in 2006.
“From day one at OKCU, Schmiedel has been a champion of the credit union community. In 1986, she helped establish the Oklahoma Credit Union Political Action Committee (OCUPAC), and she served as president of the Oklahoma Credit Union Executives Society in 1998,” the credit union said in a statement. “Schmiedel also led the creation of First Rate Title and First Rate Autos. She currently serves as a committee member for the ATM Zone and is a board member for Credit Union Service Centers.”
Schmiedel is actively involved in the local community as well, and she was a founding committee member for the Global Woman’s Leadership Network, the CU added.
A ‘Driving Force’
“Anyone who has worked with Luann understands she has been a driving force in our credit union for the last three and a half decades,” said Philip Sherwin, senior vice president/chief technology officer. “Luann’s emphasis on growing the credit union and leveraging technology has taken us to places we didn’t think possible, and I’m excited for what’s to come under her continued leadership.”
In Schmiedel’s time at OKCU, the credit union’s assets have increased from $20 million to more than $650 million, and the membership has grown from fewer than 10,000 to more than 47,000, OKCU added.
New Top Cop in Cincinnati
Meanwhile, in the Buckeye State, Cincinnati Ohio Police FCU (COPFCU) has named Kathy Haas as its new president/CEO. Haas succeeds Barbara Harper, who retired.
Haas’ prior credit union experience includes operations, lending, collections, marketing, call center, and all service delivery channels. She began her career with TruPartner Credit Union in 1994 as the Western Hills branch manager and worked in various management positions until her appointment as president/CEO of TruPartner Credit Union in 2015.
The $145-million COPFCU has approximately 10,300 members.
Haas is a graduate of Xavier University and also graduated with honors from CUNA Management School.
“I am really excited to be starting a new chapter of my career at such a strong and storied credit union as COPFCU,” said Haas. “This credit union is poised for growth and eager to service our members. My goal is to earn the respect of the board, staff and members within the COPFCU family, to build on our foundation of excellent service and to live to the fullest the ‘people helping people’ philosophy.”