TAMPA, Fla.–Laida Garcia, president and CEO of floridacentral Credit Union, has announced plans to retire in January 2023. The CU’s board said a search for a successor has been launched with a goal of finding that person by the autumn of this year.
The $625-million floridacentral has more than 50,000 members, an 11-county field of membership and 12 branches.
The credit union noted Garcia’s “distinguished career” in the credit union industry has spanned four decades, beginning with positions as loan officer, director of marketing and communications, and senior vice president/chief credit officer. She also served as executive vice president for eight years before becoming the credit union’s second president and CEO in 2009.
Years of Service
During her career at floridacentral Garcia:
- Was active on the CUNA board, where she served for nine years
- Was chair of the National Credit Union Foundation for three years
- Served on the board of the Florida Credit Union League, now known as the League of Southeastern Credit Unions (LSCU), for nine years, and as its chair for three years
- In 2018, Garcia was named Professional of the Year by LSCU
- Was selected to serve as an inaugural member of the Filene Research Institute’s i3 group.
‘Honor and Privilege’
“Serving as floridacentral’s President and CEO has been an honor and a privilege. I am incredibly proud of the work that the credit union has done in serving its members, employees and communities, and feel blessed to have been able to lead our great organization,” said Garcia. “I am confident that floridacentral will continue to grow and to achieve great things under its new leadership.”