The Board of Directors of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates announced today that LSCU CEO Mike Mercer will be retiring from the organization effective Dec. 31, 2019.
Mercer recently approached LSCU board leadership with a request to retire earlier than expected. On December 11th, the LSCU board of directors voted to accept his proposal for early retirement effective December 31, 2019.
“It was always envisioned that Mike would retire within 3-5 years and that Patrick La Pine would once again assume the role of CEO of LSCU, in addition to his current responsibilities as CEO of Affiliates Consolidated Services (ACS), the League’s holding company,” said Tina Williams, LSCU Board Chair and CEO for Mobile Educators CU. “Mike’s decision has hastened the succession plan we had envisioned but we have a proven leader ready to assume this role.”
Mike has agreed to remain with the LSCU through 2020 as a consultant to ensure a smooth transition through the LSCU’s first full year post-consolidation with Georgia. In this role, he will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the League, but instead will assist in membership relations activities.
“My decision to retire was one I weighed very carefully, and I am confident in Patrick’s leadership and vision for the future of the organization,” said Mike Mercer, CEO for LSCU. “My priorities have always been the credit unions that we serve and our incredible team of professionals that serve them. I am genuinely optimistic about the opportunities that will be enabled by this strategic consolidation.”
“The consolidation has brought increased scale, expertise and resources to our member/client credit unions,” said Brian Akin, LSCU Board Chair-Elect, and CEO of North Georgia Credit Union. “The board credits this to Mike and Patrick’s leadership and teamwork over the last 20 months.”
Patrick La Pine will assume the role of CEO of LSCU & Affiliates upon Mercer’s retirement. The newly reconstituted organization represents credit unions in Alabama, Florida and Georgia and has offices in Birmingham, Tallahassee and Duluth.
“The strategic consolidation is progressing as planned with increased value already starting to be felt by our credit unions,” said Patrick La Pine, CEO for ACS. “Our team is incredibly dedicated and resilient, and we will continue to work hard to meet and exceed the expectations of our member/client credit unions. I want to thank Mike for his long and distinguished service to Georgia credit unions and the entire credit union movement.”
The Georgia Credit Union League and its affiliated companies consolidated into the League of Southeastern Credit Unions and Affiliates effective August 31, 2019.
Patrick La Pine.
Mike Mercer.