PENNSYLVANIA CREDIT UNION ASSOCIATION SELECTS PATRICK CONWAY AS PRESIDENT/CEO

The Pennsylvania Credit Union Association announced Wednesday it has selected its new President and CEO.  This high profile search was facilitated by Dollar Associates of Birmingham, Alabama. Patrick Conway, a Pennsylvania trade association veteran and a longtime insider in the Keystone state’s political arena, was named the league’s new President and CEO in an announcement from the Board of Directors on September 18. Conway will replace Jim McCormack, who is retiring Dec. 31, ending an award-winning 42-year career in the credit union industry.  He will remain as a consultant to the association’s board of directors through November 2014. Conway joins PCUA from the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, where he served as President and CEO for the past 12 years. Prior to that, he served as President and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County.  Conway began his career in the district office of Congressman Bill Clinger, served as executive director of the Governor’s Action Team under Governor Tom Ridge and ran for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 5th district. “We are extremely pleased and fortunate to welcome Pat to the Pennsylvania credit union movement,” said PCUA Board Chair Maria LaVelle. “While there were many strongly qualified candidates for the position, Pat’s leadership skills, association experience, and political involvement make him a great fit for moving PCUA forward.”  Conway is PCUA’s 5th CEO since its inception in 1934. “I feel honored and privileged to be given the opportunity to lead such a strong organization as PCUA,” Conway said.  “This organization has a strong tradition of advocating on behalf of Pennsylvania credit unions and for providing solutions to credit unions of all sizes.  This is an exciting time for Pennsylvania’s credit union movement and an exciting time for me personally as we continue to grow and thrive in what is clearly a challenging environment.” Conway will join PCUA on Oct. 28 and will work with McCormack through the end of the year. “Our Association is a national leader because of the strength of our board of directors, staff, and member credit unions,” McCormack said.  “The association board went through a rigorous process of vetting potential CEO candidates and in the end made a very strong choice in Pat Conway.  I look forward to working with him in the coming months.” Dennis Dollar, former NCUA Chairman and partner at Dollar Associates, commended the PCUA Board on its thorough search and the choice of Conway. “This was an extensive and exhaustive search with a large number of absolutely outstanding candidates,” said Dollar.  “We were honored to work with the PCUA Board as they worked through the process and made an excellent decision for this highly respected state credit union association.  Pat Conway, working with this incredibly committed board, will make a real mark for Pennsylvania credit unions and the credit union movement as a whole.  We look forward to the bright future at PCUA as Pat builds upon the legacy built by Jim McCormack and the great management team there at PCUA.”