New alignment combines League and LSC staff to drive growth and innovation
NAPERVILLE, IL (December 4, 2014) -- Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) President and CEO Sean Hession announced a new plan for growth and innovation for Illinois credit unions that combines the best of the Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) and ICUL Service Corporation (LSC) to realize greater synergies, offer enhanced products and services, and explore new partnerships and opportunities.
Under a new plan to align all ICUS resources with a new vision for the future, the staff of ICUL and LSC will be merged operationally to create a more streamlined organization that delivers more to its credit union members and customer than ever, Hession said.
“I’m excited about the future of Illinois credit unions, and even more excited to be introducing a new plan, new team and new course for ICUS,” he said. “By using the historic synergy between ICUL and LSC as an organizing principle, we will strengthen our system, speed product development, improve service delivery, and enhance our ability to engage, educate and represent members.”
ICUL and LSC will remain two separate entities, but there will be one unified staff working together to further the collective goals of ICUS. This change was facilitated by George Fiegle’s decision to step down as EVP & COO of LSC, effective January 2, 2015. Fiegle will continue serving LSC as a consultant to the CEO through 2015.
“I have been here since 1986 and have been truly blessed to work in this industry where the end objective is truly serving and helping people,” said Fiegle.” Nothing lasts forever and it has always been a goal of mine to leave the organization on a high note. A key to our success has been trust built through relationships and always placing credit unions interests first.”
“We will always be grateful for George Fiegle’s skill and leadership,” said Hession. “When George was chosen to lead LSC, it had $3 million of revenue and served one state. Today it has twenty fold more revenue and serves credit unions in all 50 states. I am personally grateful that George will continue providing advice and counsel to our team as a consultant after January 2nd.”
The combined staff will be organized into three divisions to better market ICUL/LSC products and services, respond to members’ needs and advocate for Illinois credit unions in Springfield and Washington, D.C.
Patty Smith will lead a new market-facing Brand, Marketing and Sales team for ICUL and LSC. Tom Kane will lead a new internally-facing Product Infrastructure and Delivery team which includes Operations, Finance, Information Technology and Creditors Resource Services (CRS). Steve Olson will continue to lead the Office of General Counsel and Advocacy, which includes ICUL’s legislative and regulatory affairs operations.
Other staff changes include:
- Vicki Ponzo will become SVP and Special Assistant to the CEO.
- Joni Senkpeil will succeed Ponzo as VP of Member Services.
- Greg Framarin will leave ICUL to pursue other opportunities.
- Melanie Murphy will succeed Framarin as Director of Education.
- The position of Vice President Regional Management will be eliminated and Ron Culen will be leaving the organization. All regional management responsibilities and staff will be moved to the Brand, Marketing and Sales team under Patty Smith.
- A new VP of Marketing within Brand, Marketing and Sales will manage all marketing, communications and PR. Jim Byrnes and Will Wille will report to this new officer.
- A new SVP of Development will handle business development and new product, partnership and strategy development. This position will report to the CEO.
“We congratulate Vicki, Joni and Melanie on their well-deserved promotions, and we sincerely thank Ron and Greg for their many years of dedicated service to ICUS and wish them well in their next endeavors,” Hession said.
In addition to these organizational changes, Hession announced strategic investment paths in business intelligence, communications and marketing, innovation and adaptability, talent development and data analytics. These will ensure the right resources at the right time and place to allow ICUS to deliver more for its credit union members and customers than ever before.
“The status quo can no longer move us forward,” Hession said, noting that the ICUL and LSC Boards of Directors and executive team held two strategic-planning sessions earlier this year where they examined the credit union environment and charted a future path for ICUS.
“Five years from now, we want to look back and see that we set in motion a plan to create one of the most effective credit union leagues in the country—a leader in education and member service in addition to our historic leadership in credit union advocacy.
“At the same time,” he added, “we see our service corporation becoming a leading provider of card and non-card products alike to credit unions of all sizes, with a reputation for innovation, creativity and quality.”
“With today’s actions,” he said, “we take the first step towards realizing that future.”
ICUL is the primary trade association for credit unions in Illinois and provides its members with information, education and government affairs support. LSC is a leading service corporation for credit unions and has over 2,000 clients nationwide.
Note: The Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) is the primary trade association for credit unions in Illinois and provides its members with compliance and other pertinent operating information, legislative advocacy and educational development opportunities. Membership is open to any credit union operating in accordance with the Illinois Credit Union Act or the Federal Credit Union Act. There are 315 credit unions in Illinois serving almost 3 million members.