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After a lengthy search, the Cooperative Credit Union Association has found its next leader.
The organization announced yesterday that it has hired Ronald McLean as its new president and CEO of the trade association, which advocates on behalf of credit unions in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Delaware.
McLean will begin his tenure on April 16, assuming the leadership role from CCUA’s Interim President and CEO Bernie Winne.
McLean was most recently senior vice president and chief engagement officer of the New York Credit Union Association, where he led the member relations team and managed membership, chapters and strategic business partners. He also oversaw the association’s communications and marketing, events and training departments and the New York Credit Union Foundation.
Prior to his appointment to chief engagement officer, McLean served as the NYCUA’s chief marketing officer. He joined the NYCA in 1994 as vice president in its executive office, where he assisted the president and CEO in executing the goals and objectives of the association and its affiliates.
A Massachusetts native, McLean attended schools in the Acton-Boxboro district. He began his career at State Street and later joined Putnam Investments in Boston.
The hiring of McLean ends what has been a bumpy six-month search. The process began after former CEO and President Paul Gentile left the CCUA to take a job as president and CEO of Rahway, New Jersey-based Merck Employees Federal Credit Union.
The CCUA announced the hiring of Sarah Vega, chief of staff and senior policy advisor to NCUA Board Chairman J. Mark McWatters, in October. But just a few weeks later, Vega decided to forego the top job at the CCUA and maintain her current role with McWatters. Winne has been serving as interim president and CEO since.
