CoastHills Credit Union names Paul Cook as President/CEO
LOMPOC, CA (August 16, 2018) — The CoastHills Credit Union (CoastHills) Board of Directors announced Thursday that it has unanimously chosen Paul Cook to serve as the Credit Union’s President/CEO, effective August 20, 2018. Cook, who has served as CoastHills’ executive vice president and chief experience officer, replaces Interim CEO Dal Widick.
Mr. Cook came to CoastHills as the SVP & Chief Information Officer in June of 2015. Since February of 2018, he has served as the EVP & Chief Experience Officer for the Credit Union and has played an integral role in shaping the Credit Union’s strategic direction.
In addition to CoastHills, Mr. Cook has more than 20 years of experience in the financial industry, including serving as SVP/Chief Information Officer at Heritage Oaks Bank; Chief Technology Officer at Los Alamos National Bank in Los Alamos, N.M.; and Vice President of IT at Pioneer Federal Credit Union in Idaho.
CoastHills utilized a national search firm to conduct the process, which initially generated more than 50 applicants. The field was eventually narrowed down to four finalists, including three external candidates and Mr. Cook.
“We were very encouraged by the caliber of candidates who showed such a strong desire to step into this role,” said Bill Anders, Chairman of the CoastHills Board of Directors. “Our decision to choose Paul was unanimous, and we are all confident he is the best person to take us forward. This Credit Union has a heritage of service to our members, local communities, and with Vandenberg Air Force Base. Under Paul’s leadership, we will continue our steadfast commitment to go above and beyond for our member-owners.”
The unanimous selection of Mr. Cook was made on August 8th, which was also the Credit Union’s 60th anniversary.
“My wife Theresa and I are excited about this next phase of our lives here on the Central Coast,” Cook said. “I am humbled and honored to serve the 67,000 member-owners that makeup CoastHills and to accomplish many more great things with the incredible people on the CoastHills team.”
Cook attended San Mateo (Calif.) High School, graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Political Science from Utah State University and obtained an Executive MBA from Brigham Young University.
About CoastHills Credit Union
CoastHills is a not-for-profit Credit Union serving more than 76,000 members in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Ventura and Santa Cruz counties. Founded in 1958 to primarily serve military and civilian personnel at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CoastHills now serves the entire community with 12 branches and a locally staffed full-service call center. With assets of more than $1.7 billion, CoastHills is the second largest locally owned financial institution on the Central Coast.
