New York Credit Union Association Board of Directors Announces Planned Leadership Transition; President & CEO William J. Mellin to Leave at Year-End
Albany, New York — The Board of Directors of the New York Credit Union Association (NYCUA) today announced that President & CEO William J. Mellin will leave the organization at the end of 2026, concluding a distinguished 32-year career with NYCUA, including 26 years as its leader.
Mellin will remain in his role as president and CEO through December 31, 2026, during which he will focus on succession planning and a smooth handoff of responsibilities, ensuring that institutional knowledge, key relationships, and ongoing initiatives carry forward without interruption. NYCUA Chief Operating Officer Chris Pajak will assume responsibility for day-to-day operations of the organization and its affiliated entities throughout the remainder of 2026 and until the formal appointment of the organization’s next president and CEO. The Board expressed strong confidence in Pajak’s ability to lead NYCUA’s operations during this period, pointing to the extensive experience and institutional knowledge Pajak brings after many years on NYCUA’s senior leadership team.
Since being named president and CEO in 2000, Mellin has guided NYCUA and its affiliated entities, including OwnersChoice Funding, UsNet Shared Branching, and the New York Credit Union Foundation, helping credit unions statewide grow, innovate, and deepen their impact on the members and communities they serve.
Under his leadership, total credit union assets in New York have grown from $36 billion to over $133 billion, and total credit union membership has grown from 4 million to almost 7.5 million. The Association's 2025 membership survey also reported a 97% overall member satisfaction score, with the share of New York credit unions that are NYCUA members growing from about 70% early in Mellin's tenure to 86% today.
Mellin has also been deeply committed to fostering a positive, supportive workplace culture at the Association, reflected in a recent employee survey in which 100% of Association and affiliate staff agreed the organization "is a great place to work."
His collaborative approach and strong relationships with fellow league leaders across the country earned him recognition earlier this year with the 2026 Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award, presented by the American Association of Credit Union Leagues.
"On behalf of the entire Board, and the broader credit union community, I want to thank Bill for more than three decades of dedicated service to New York's credit unions," said Ryan Roberts, NYCUA Board Chair and President & CEO of Great Meadow Federal Credit Union. "Since 2000, Bill has led NYCUA with vision, integrity, and an unwavering belief in the power of the 'people helping people' philosophy. His impact reaches far beyond our organization, and the credit union movement across New York, as well as the nation, is stronger because of his leadership. As we begin this transition, the Board is committed to honoring what Bill built by carrying the organization forward with the same care he brought to it every day."
Throughout his tenure, Mellin has been defined by the care he brought to every challenge, decision, and relationship, always ensuring NYCUA and the members it serves were set up to succeed. The Board is approaching this transition thoughtfully and deliberately to ensure the knowledge, relationships, and standards Mellin built over three decades carry forward and continue to position NYCUA as a strong leader and voice for the credit union movement.
The Board anticipates launching a board-led search committee in Q4 2026 to identify NYCUA’s next president & CEO, with additional details expected in Q1 2027. The process will be thorough and intentional, reflecting the values Mellin instilled over his tenure, and will ensure NYCUA enters its next chapter with the same strength, stability, and sense of purpose that have defined the organization for decades.
Credit unions across New York can continue to expect strong and consistent service through this transition, into 2027 and beyond. NYCUA remains fully committed to its advocacy efforts on behalf of members, its education and professional development programs, its support for credit unions navigating an increasingly complex financial services environment, and the continued work of its affiliate organizations.
About the New York Credit Union Association
The New York Credit Union Association is the state trade association representing 270 credit unions across New York, serving more than 7.4 million members and representing more than $133 billion in assets. NYCUA advocates for its member credit unions at the state and federal level, provides education and professional development for credit union staff and volunteers, and supports the cooperative, "people helping people" philosophy that defines the credit union movement. Its affiliated entities, OwnersChoice Funding, UsNet Shared Branching, and the New York Credit Union Foundation, extend that mission through shared services and community investment. To learn more, visit www.nycua.org.
