OLYMPIA, Wash.–Two credit unions have named new leadership.
In Washington, the $590-million O Bee Credit Union has named Andrew Downin as its new president and CEO. Downin, who is currently chief strategy and growth officer with Vantage West Credit Union in Arizona, is well-known to many in credit unions for the five years he spent as director of research and innovation with Filene, also previously served as manager of product development with Schools First FCU in Santa Ana, Calif., as VP-marketing with Partners FCU for 13 years, and as a staff accountant with Frankel and Kohn, CPAs.
Building on Legacy
“I'm eager to work with the O Bee team to build on its proud 68-year legacy that began by serving employees of the Olympia Brewery, its mission-driven credit union philosophy, and its #CDFI certification,” Downin said in a statement on LinkedIn. “Together, we will continue to expand our growth, impact, and service to those who call Washington home.”
Downin has an MBA from Pepperdine and a BS in business administration and accounting from the University of Arizona.
The search was handled by CU Strategic Planning.
New CEO in Texas
Separately, in WACO, Texas, Kevin Hood has been named CEO of 1st University Credit Union.
Hood, who began his career in 1999 as a teller at 1st University and most recently served as executive vice president for two and a half years and succeeds Gary Parker, who retired at the end of 2023 after 27 years with the credit union.
Prior to joining the $16.7-million 1st University, Hood was with the Cornerstone Credit Union League as an information systems supervisor and also spent 15 years with Cornerstone Resources.
“I have had the good fortune in my career to gain broad insight into how to guide credit unions with data-driven business decisions and compliance,” Hood said. “I appreciate this opportunity to lead 1st University into the future.”
Hood earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Baylor University. He is also a 2023 graduate of the Southwest CUNA Management School.
1st University has approximately 1,500 members.
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