By Michael Wacht

LAKELAND — After 31 years of service to the Florida United Methodist Credit Union, Joan Beierle, president and chief executive officer, plans to retire by the end of 2003, and the credit union has started its search for her replacement.

Beierle became the first full-time president of the non-profit financial institution when it was one year old and held about $100,000 in total assets. Today, the credit union holds $6.3 million in assets and offers a wide array of services, including checking accounts, credit cards and a variety of loans.

The expanded line of services and membership base are the two things of which Beierle is most proud, and she hopes her replacement will have a vision for continuing that work.

“I am most proud of…expanding the membership to include any United Methodist in the Florida Conference,” she said. “We have a tremendous potential for growth, but we have trouble marketing to local church members, letting them know we exist and the services we offer.”

Beierle said her replacement should also have credit union or banking experience. Credit union experience is preferred because credit unions are non-profit and focus more on member services, not just the bottom line.