Press Releases

Kentucky Credit Union League Selects Jim Kasch as President/CEO

Debbie Painter elected to CUNA Board of Directors

Kentucky Credit Union League introduces CU@WORK Youth Apprenticeship Program

 

Kentucky Credit Union League Selects Jim Kasch as President/CEO

For Immediate Release on August 9, 2023:

Louisville, KY, August 9, 2023. The Board of Directors of the Kentucky CreditUnion League is pleased to announce the selection of Jim Kasch as the credit union’s next President/Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Kasch will succeed Ms. Debbie Painter, who is retiring after serving Kentucky’s Credit Unions for decades, including in the role of President/CEO for almost 5 years. “Kentucky’s credit unions are well-positioned for a bright future with Jim building on the legacy of great leaders before him here in Kentucky,” said Larry Lucas, President/CEO of Ashland Credit Union and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Credit Union League. “The Kentucky Credit Union League has always been known for exceptional advocacy. As that tradition continues, the League Board was also seeking a President/CEO who will ensure an independent, sustainable future for our state trade association. Jim’s entrepreneurial spirit, focus on collaboration, and passion for credit unions combine to make him an exceptional choice to lead.” “I’m humbled, honored, and excited to accept the position of President/CEO of the Kentucky Credit Union League,” said Kasch.” This is a great opportunity for me to join a strong and thriving organization at a time when our industry is facing rising challenges. I’m confident the League will continue its tradition of delivering exceptional value to the Kentucky credit union community.”

Kasch has over 20 years of credit union experience. He is the Founder and CEO of Canidae Consulting, LLC & Member Intelligence Group where he currently provides consulting services to credit union clients nationwide with assets ranging from $9M to $2B in assets. In previous roles, he served as CEO of Darden Employees Federal Credit Union and Vice President: Business Development & Strategic Alliances at Partners Federal Credit Union in Orlando, Florida. Kasch holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and a Masters’s degree (MBA) from Stetson University. Kasch has been a member of the Credit Union Executive Society for the last 21 years.

The search was completed in partnership with Humanidei. Humanidei brings decades of credit union system experience to the recruiting process, ensuring executive placements that will carry organizations forward in
fulfillment of their mission. www.humanidei.com.

About Kentucky Credit Union League
The Kentucky Credit Union League is an association of credit unions operating in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is a non-profit corporation controlled by member credit unions through their elected representatives. The League’s many services include regulatory and political advocacy, education and training for credit union staff and volunteer officials, and a wide range of operational resources, including compliance assistance. The League is dedicated to serving member credit unions and proudly promote the "Credit Union Difference" through advocacy, education and public service. The League exists to promote the growth, unity, and vitality of affiliated credit unions by providing the highest levels of leadership and professional service, quality information, and programs which enhance their ability to exist, compete, and prosper in the financial marketplace. In addition, KYCUL Services, a subsidiary of the League, provides market-proven products and services that empower credit unions to best serve their members while realizing the substantial cost savings on these products and services made possible by our cooperative purchasing power.

Contact:
Frieda Afandi
[email protected]

 

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Debbie Painter elected to CUNA Board of Directors

For Immediate Release on December 27, 2021:

LOUISVILLE, KY – Last week, the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) announced the results of its board elections, including the election of Kentucky Credit Union League President, Debbie Painter. 

Painter was nominated as a candidate for CUNA’s Class D, representing leagues.  Painter joins the Board for the first time.

“It is such an honor and privilege to be elected by my peers to serve on the CUNA Board,” said Painter. “I look forward to not only serving alongside my fellow League Presidents and Credit Union Executives but also learning from this group of dedicated professionals.  I am excited to be a part of the team helping advise and guide CUNA on how we can work together for the continued success of our industry.”

Other directors elected include:

  • District 1, Class A (Special Election):  Lori J. Herrick, President/CEO, Manchester Municipal FCU, Manchester, Conn. 
  • District 3, Class B:  Cecilia Homison, Chief Executive Officer, First Commerce CU, Tallahassee, Fla. 
  • District 5, Class B:  Gregory W. Gallant, President/CEO, Tulsa FCU, Tulsa, OK
  • Class D (two positions):  Debbie Painter, President/CEO, Kentucky CU League, Louisville, KY and Caroline Willard, President/CEO, Cornerstone League, Plano, TX

The following individuals were elected by acclamation to the CUNA Board:

  • District 2, Class A:  Joe Thomas, President/CEO, NextMark Credit Union, Fairfax, Va.
  • District 6, Class A:  Jim Morrell, CEO, Peninsula Community FCU, Shelton, Wash.
  • Class C (two positions):  John Sackett, Director, Royal CU, Eau Claire, Wis. and Debbie Smith, President & CEO, Georgia United Credit Union, Duluth, Ga.

Directors elected will take office upon adjournment of CUNA's annual general meeting on February 28, 2022 during CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference and will serve for a three-year term.

 

About the Kentucky Credit Union League - The Kentucky Credit Union League is an association of credit unions operating in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is a non-profit corporation owned and controlled by member credit unions through their elected representatives and is solely supported by the dues of its member credit unions. For more information about the Kentucky Credit Union League, visit www.kycul.org.

About the Credit Union National Association - Credit Union National Association (CUNA) is the only national association that advocates on behalf of all of America’s credit unions, which are owned by more than 120 million consumer members. CUNA, along with its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, delivers unwavering advocacy, continuous professional growth, and operational confidence to protect the best interests of all credit unions. For more information about CUNA, visit cuna.org. To find your nearest credit union, visit YourMoneyFurther.com.

 

For further information, contact:

Janet Garrett, Event Planning & Communications Manager
Kentucky Credit Union League
(800) 333-5285 ext. 203 (toll free)
[email protected]

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Kentucky Credit Union League introduces CU@WORK Youth Apprenticeship Program

For Immediate Release on December 13, 2021:

LOUISVILLE, KY – The Kentucky Credit Union League has partnered with the Kentucky Education Workforce Development Cabinet to provide students a pathway into the financial services industry.

The CU@WORK Youth Apprenticeship Program provides a learning pathway, utilizing on-the-job supervised training combined with specified coursework.  Beginning January 2022, high school students at select high schools in Business Education pathways will be able to choose a Teller TRACK (Tech Ready Apprentices for Careers in Kentucky) which will lead to a nationally recognized apprenticeship certificate as a Teller.  

The apprenticeship can begin during the student’s Junior year.  Students will work at an actual credit union.  It’s a great way for young adults to gain a qualification and begin a career while earning an entry-level wage with opportunities for wage increases.

"A teller is the most important job of a credit union because the majority of a member's needs are fulfilled by a teller," said Andrew Barr, Credit Union Support & Engagement Officer at the Kentucky Credit Union League.  "This certification is a good way of learning about the financial services industry and there are many career paths you can choose from this position such as lending, marketing, accounting, counseling, and IT.”

The CU@WORK Youth Apprenticeship Program will also allow credit unions to grow their team using local students that have a good foundation in business skills and an interest in the financial services industry.  Apprentices become part of the credit union’s mission of “People Helping People.”

“We are so excited to have the opportunity to partner with the US Dept of Labor, Kentucky Office of Career and Technical Education, Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, Credit Unions, and Highschool Business Teachers on such a worthwhile program,” Kentucky Credit Union League President, Debbie Painter, said.  “While we love the chance to assist Credit Unions in recruiting and maintaining talent, the most exciting part of the program is introducing young people to the financial industry and opening the door to a career in Credit Unions.”

There are currently four credit unions participating in the launch of the CU@WORK Youth Apprenticeship Program: Abound CU, Expree CU, Service One CU, and Signet Federal CU.

For more information about CU@WORK Youth Apprenticeship Program, click HERE or contact Andrew Barr at [email protected].

 

About the Kentucky Credit Union League - The Kentucky Credit Union League is an association of credit unions operating in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is a non-profit corporation owned and controlled by member credit unions through their elected representatives and is solely supported by the dues of its member credit unions. For more information, go to www.kycul.org.

About the Kentucky Education Workforce Development Cabinet - The Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet coordinates learning programs from P-16 and manages and supports training and employment functions in the Department for Workforce Investment. For more information, go to www.educationcabinet.ky.gov or www.workforce.ky.gov.

 

For further information, contact:

Janet Garrett, Event Planning & Communications Manager
Kentucky Credit Union League
(800) 333-5285 ext. 203 (toll free)
[email protected]

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