WESTMINSTER, Colo.–Two long-time credit union CEOs have announced plans for retirement.
In Colorado, Horizons North Credit Union President and CEO Bradley H. Harvey has announced plans to retire effective June 3. Harvey began his career with Horizons North CU, formally School District 12 FCU, in 1996, when he was named the CEO.
“In his 28-year career with the CU he’s seen it go through a name change, multiple field of membership expansions, and seen asset size grow from $23 million to $117 million,” the credit union said in a statement. “HNCU is highly regarded as a local community partner and Harvey has been a model for his team. Throughout his tenure, Brad emerged as an exemplary community leader by seamlessly blending effective leadership skills, with strong values, while encouraging his team members to take initiative and grow.”
Active in Community
The credit union noted Harvey has remained active in community affairs and donates his time to many organizations and service groups, including serving as treasurer and former Board of Trustees chairman for Western CUNA Management School; as past Chairman of the Adams 12 Five Star Schools Foundation; as chairman of the Rocky Mountain CUES Council; as a former board and supervisory committee member for Suncorp Corporate; as former chairman of the BGA Committee for the Metro North Chamber of Commerce; as a former board member of the Westminster Legacy Foundation; as a current Westminster Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, and a current Board member, and as a former chairman of the Community Reach Center.
‘Blessed Career’
“I have been blessed to work with wonderful board members, staff members, credit union members, and community leaders over the years,” said Harvey. “I’m very proud that our greatest achievement was that we served our members to the best of our abilities, and provided great benefit to them. I look forward to the credit union continuing to grow in the future, while I enjoy the time with my marvelous wife, Mary Ann.”
‘Icon of Leadership’
Added Board Chair Robert Webber, “Brad Harvey has been an icon of leadership and stability for 28 years not only for HNCU, but also in the North Metro Denver area. It is always bittersweet to say goodbye to such a respected and effective CEO. We wish Brad all the happiness and enjoyment one can have in retirement! I’m sure he will be found walking the fairways of the local golf courses and rooting for his beloved CU Buffaloes.”
The credit union, which has more than 7,000 members, said it has launched a search for a successor.
Jeanne D’Arc CEO Mark Cochran To Retire
Meanwhile, in Lowell, Mass, after 17 years as president and CEO of Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, Mark S. Cochran has announced plans to retire later this summer. The $2.1-billion Jeanne D’Arc has launched a search for a successor.
According to the credit union, Cochran has overseen growth from $600 million in assets as well as a 48% increase in staffing. In 2022 he was named CEO of the Year by the Cooperative Credit Union Association.
“Cochran has continued the commitment to staying true to Jeanne D’Arc’s roots through his efforts to maintain and grow the organization’s presence in The Acre neighborhood of Lowell,” the credit union said in a statement. “Along with the existing Lowell Branch, in 2009 he opened the company’s headquarters and is gearing up to open, Acre Crossing, a new company operations center in partnership with adjacent affordable housing units in the spring.”
Numerous Accomplishments
During his tenure Jeanne D’Arc also added four branches and renovated four others. He is also credited with adding two of the organization’s three high school branches during his time.
“Having a ‘heart to serve’ is a core value for the credit union, and Mark shares this value through practice,” Jeanne D’Arc stated. “In 2011 he established the We Share A Common Thread Foundation and since the non-profit organization has donated more than $4 million directly to non-profit organizations in the Greater Lowell, Lawrence, and Southern New Hampshire communities.”
Active Volunteer
Jeanne D’Arc said Cochran has also been an active volunteer with Lowell Plan-Treasurer, Tufts Medicine/Lowell General Hospital-Trustee, D’Youville Life & Wellness, Mill City Festival Fund, Lawrence Partnership, Crossway Christian Church, and the We Share A Common Thread Foundation.
He also serves on the boards of Octant Business Services-Chairman, CUFSLP, Eascorp, and the Massachusetts Credit Union League (CCUA) – Legislative Committee.
An ‘Honor and Privilege’
“Serving as Jeanne D’Arc’s CEO has been an honor and a privilege,” said Cochran. “Thanks to the strength of our team and board, I’m confident this will be a smooth and seamless transition. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next as the credit union continues to help our members make smart financial choices.”
The credit union has retained DDJ Myers to handle the search for the next CEO.
The Ideal Gift For Yourself or a Loved One This Valentine’s Day!
The biggest, best and freshest news reporting in credit unions remains free! Each morning CUToday.info delivers its daily Fresh Today news update offering the latest headlines and breaking news right to your email, with the easy-to-read headlines format allowing you to click on the stories that interest you most in order to learn more. So stop paying those bank-fee-like subscription prices from other so-called “news” publications!
If you haven’t yet signed up for the new email solution on which CUToday.info has partnered with ResponseGenius, you can do so here. Signing up requires less than one minute of your time—and it’s free!
Please note that after signing up you may need to go to your Spam/Junk folder and mark the morning headlines email as safe. CUToday.info does not provide its list of readers and emails to outside parties, and we will not be contacting you to sell you an extended warranty or sending you any links so you may cash in on an inheritance you didn’t know was coming.
And did we mention it’s free?