AmeriCU Credit Union selects new CEO

ROME, N.Y. — The board of directors of credit union AmeriCU has selected Ronald Belle to succeed CEO Mark Pfisterer, who last year announced his plans to retire in 2020.

Belle, who had been serving as AmeriCU’s chief experience officer, assumed his new duties “immediately,” and “no formal transition was needed” because he had served as a senior executive in the organization for the past few years, Matt Perritano, marketing associate at AmeriCU, tells CNYBJ in an email.

“Since joining the credit union in 2017, Ron has made an impact. His focus on member and employee experience is relentless, and has been transformative to our organization. He has been instrumental in making AmeriCU a better place to work, a better place to bank, and a stronger credit union overall. We could not be happier to have him at the helm, and are looking forward to the coming years.” John Stevenson, chairman of the AmeriCU board of directors, said.

As chief experience officer, Belle was responsible for all facets of the “member experience,” including operations, marketing, and human resources. Prior to joining AmeriCU, Belle held roles at Cincinnati, Ohio–based Fifth Third Private Bank (NASDAQ: FITB), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), and KeyBank (NYSE: KEY).

In addition, Belle holds an accredited asset management specialist (AAMS) certification from the College for Financial Planning in Centennial, Colorado; has attended the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin; and is a graduate of both Syracuse University and Utica College.

“I am honored that the Board has entrusted me to lead this amazing organization. I look forward to carrying on the culture and initiatives that make AmeriCU what it is today, as well as leading new changes to benefit our members and employees. I am extraordinarily proud of what our team has accomplished, and even more excited about what the future holds. This is a transformative time for the industry, and for AmeriCU as well” said Belle.

AmeriCU in December had announced that Pfisterer would retire in 2020. He joined what was then UpState Credit Union in 1979, as the comptroller/assistant manager for administration. In 1981, he was promoted to executive VP, then to president and CEO in 1987.

The nonprofit AmeriCU serves nine counties in Central and Northern New York. The credit union currently has more than 137,000 members through its 19 branches and a member service center with $1.8 billion in assets.