Paula Stopera, the longtime president/CEO of CAP COM FCU, will retire in late May, the credit union announced today. Christopher McKenna has been selected to serve as president/CEO of the credit union upon Stopera’s retirement.

Stopera was appointed president/CEO of the Albany-based credit union 15 years ago and has been with the credit union since 1980, when she began her career as a member relationship officer. Stopera has also held the position of treasurer on the CAP COM FCU board of directors, and serves on the board of managers of the CAP COM Group, a set of subsidiaries of CAP COM.

Since being named president/CEO in 2004, Stopera has overseen more than $1.5 billion in growth. During her tenure, she increased the number of people CAP COM serves to more than 140,000 members.

Stopera was also instrumental in establishing the CAP COM Cares Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, in 2003. The Foundation gives back to the community by supporting health and wellness programs; financial literacy and education initiatives; and causes that help underprivileged families. Since its inception, the Foundation has donated nearly $4 million and volunteered more than 30,000 hours.

“So much has changed in the world since I was hired as a CAP COM employee 39 years ago,” said Stopera. “Leading the credit union as President/CEO since 2004, through times of immense change, has been demanding, sometimes daunting and thrilling. This has been the career of a lifetime. The CAP COM Cares Foundation will continue to be a focus of mine in the future. Forming the Foundation has been a personal highlight.”

Stopera has been deeply involved with the statewide credit union movement for many years. She is a former CULAC/CUPAC trustee and she has served on the New York Credit Union Association’s Governmental Affairs Committee. Stopera was also a recipient of the Association’s “Outstanding Professional” award.

“Paula has always been a leader both locally and within our statewide movement, and her track record speaks for itself,” said Association President/CEO William J. Mellin. “Paula’s leadership will be deeply missed, but her many accomplishments will endure for many years. I wish her a happy and healthy retirement.”

McKenna will become the new president/CEO in May. He currently serves as executive vice president, and has been with the credit union for nearly a decade.