CorePlus Credit Union Appoints Raymond J. Currier as Next President / CEO

Currier, CPCU’s current EVP / Chief Operating Officer, will work closely with retiring President / CEO Nicholas Fortson through the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.

  NORWICH, Conn. — The Board of Directors of CorePlus Credit Union (CPCU) is announcing the appointment of Raymond J. Currier as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. Currier replaces retiring CEO Nicholas K. Fortson, who will be retiring after nine years as President and CEO. Currier will assume the role of CEO on January 1, 2024.

 Upon the announcement that Fortson planned to retire at year end, the CPCU Board of Directors conducted a CEO search with assistance from The Credit Union League of Connecticut to identify a qualified candidate to lead the nearly ninety-year-old federally chartered, member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative. After considering several worthy candidates, the board determined Currier’s dedication, exceptional leadership, and significant contributions as Chief Operating Officer and overwhelmingly approved Ray’s promotion to the role of CEO. Currier has been with the credit union since 2005 and has close to 30 years of experience in the credit union industry.

 “We are extremely pleased that after performing our due diligence to find the most suitable leader, our own Ray Currier emerged as the best candidate to take the reins and carry on Nicholas Fortson’s legacy,” said CPCU Board of Directors Chair Jean Swift. “We believe Ray possesses the strategic vision, business acumen, and commitment to lead CorePlus Credit Union into a prosperous future. His demonstrated ability to drive innovation, foster collaboration, and deliver exceptional results made him the ideal candidate for this important position.”

 Currier said he is excited by the challenge of his new role and looks forward to a continuation of the success he and Fortson shared with the growth, expansion of service offerings and financial achievements the credit union has experienced over the last decade. “I am incredibly honored to have been appointed President / CEO, and I am excited to lead our talented team in continuing to bring exceptional service and innovation to our membership. CorePlus is well positioned for continued growth and success in the coming years,” said Currier. “I am also very fortunate to have the support and guidance from such an incredible leader as Nicholas Fortson to assist in the transition.”

 Fortson, who has been CEO of CPCU since 2014, announced his retirement effective December 31, 2023 — in January 2023. As part of the transition, he is committed to working closely with Currier throughout the rest of the year to ensure that the transfer of leadership is seamless and that the new CEO is in the best possible position to guide CPCU into the future.

 “Nicholas Fortson has been and continues to be an amazing leader and mentor,” Swift said. “The board wishes to recognize Nick for his remarkable leadership, particularly throughout the pandemic, as well as his ability to select and develop a stellar management team. He will be greatly missed, but we know he leaves us in Ray’s very capable hands.”  In honor of his tremendous leadership and commitment to his community, the board has approved a gift of $10,000 to support two non-profits. A gift of $5,000 will be made in Fortson’s honor to the Otis Library to fund a multi-lingual financial literacy program. Fortson is the former board president of Otis Library, and he and his late wife, Peggy, have been avid supporters of the library. A second gift of $5,000 will be made to the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut, where Fortson is also a board member.