LITTLETON, Colo.–Two credit unions have announced new leadership.
In Colorado, the $360-million Red Rocks Credit Union has named Darius Wise as its new president. Wise previously served as executive vice president and will continue to serve as COO.
Wise began his career with the credit union in 2019 as chief impact officer. Before working in the financial services sector, Wise spent more than 17 years in pastoral ministry and leadership, including key executive positions with Denver United Church and CrossPurpose, a nonprofit that seeks to help families in the Denver area escape poverty and pursue their dreams.
In addition, he is a board member for Denver Institute for Faith & Work and Young Life.
“As chief operating officer, Darius has built a culture of trust based on relentless care for others,” said Red Rocks Interim CEO David Brooks. “This is what it means to lead in today’s business environment, and I look forward to continuing our work together, to make a difference for our members and our communities.”
‘Visionary Leader’
Red Rocks CU described Wise as a visionary leader, serial change agent, and national speaker who is in “constant pursuit of lifelong learning opportunities.”
Wise received a certificate for Leadership in an Exponentially Changing World from MIT’s Sloan School of Management, pursued a Master’s Degree in Intercultural Leadership from Denver Seminary, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Morris Brown College in Atlanta.
The credit union has more than 16,000 members.
Retirement, New CEO in Michigan
In Michigan, meanwhile, Consumers Credit Union president and CEO Kit Snyder has announced his retirement effective July 4, 2022. The board has named Chief Operations Officer Scott Sylvester to succeed Snyder.
Snyder was hired in 1983 as one of the first people to serve as president and CEO of Consumer CU, which at the time was known as Southwestern Michigan Utilities Employees until expanding its charter and changing its name four years later. CCU noted that over the past 38 years under Snyder’s leadership, the organization has grown nearly 18% per year, growing from a $3 million in assets and three employees to a nearly $2 billion in assets and more than 400 employees. CCU serves more than 117,000 members across the state.
“We have grown tremendously over the course of nearly four decades,” Snyder said of his tenure. “I’ve had the honor of working with a board of directors and a team that is second to none. Consumers growth from $3 million to $1.8 billion dollars is simply remarkable. It’s now time to watch our growth continue through trusted leadership and team synergy.”
Long-Term Succession Plan
The credit union said its board began planning the CEO’s succession nearly five years ago and unanimously voted to name Sylvester as successor.
“It’s amazing to think that in 1994 when I hired Scott Sylvester we’d fast forward to this time and place,” said Snyder. “Scott has proven from the outset of his career with Consumers his willingness to build consensus and take decisive action for the betterment of our credit union and membership. From teller to CEO, what an honor to have worked alongside him.”
Sylvester began as a teller before moving to accounting clerk and then senior accountant to manager of information systems and vice president of technology and later, chief financial and chief technology officer.
According to CCU, during his career Sylvester was charged with the following initiatives as chief operations officer:
- Oversaw office facilities, including office remodels and new construction
- Led facilities for new market growth
- Coordinated strategic and operational activities, including new technology initiatives
- Handled creative planning and oversight of the new 92,000-square-foot Groves headquarters
‘Most Proud’
“It’s an honor to take over leadership from a colleague and friend who I have worked with day in and day out for decades,” said Sylvester. “I am most proud of the team we have built and the technology focus we’ve developed to serve members efficiently and with top-notch security. We were the first to bring online banking into the region in the ’90s and a first to offer Apple Pay in the country. Our five-star mobile app allows our members to bank how they want, when they want. My job is made easy with the talented 400+ employees surrounding me and I am so proud to work for Consumers Credit Union. It’s thrilling to watch us all succeed together.”
Sylvester is a certified chief executive (CCE) with studies and training through the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, the Johnson School of Business at Cornell University of Virginia, and Executive Development at the Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, where he also finished his undergrad with a B.S. in marketing.
Sylvester has also served as a Mattawan Consolidated School Board where he served as president since 2018; served as a Mattawan Public Education Foundation Board member, school bond committee chair on multiple bond initiatives, a Mattawan Little League coach, and has been involved with Team Taylor through Make-A-Wish. Sylvester is also a member of Southwest Michigan First’s Council of 100 in Kalamazoo.