As we near the close of 2019, your credit union is also nearing the end of an era.

After more than 29 years of distinguished service, CEO Robert Fisher has announced his plans to retire in December. Bob, as he is known by his friends and colleagues, joined the senior management team in 1990 as CFO and was appointed President and CEO just two years later. At the time, the credit union had $243 million in assets, and operated four stores with 143 employees on behalf of 60,000 members.

During his tenure, Bob directed the steady expansion of a small, local credit union with a limited field of membership to one which today stands at $2.8 billion in assets and operates 25 stores in two states, with 570 employees and approximately 205,000 members.

From the start, his vision was to position the credit union at the leading edge of the industry with innovative products and services and a culture of member service excellence. In 2007, Bob directed the transition of MacDill Federal Credit Union to a new name and brand identity as Grow Financial, a change designed to more accurately reflect the credit union’s growing inclusive field of membership, drawn from the more than 1,100 local businesses enrolled in its Select Employer Group program. In 2014 the credit union made the leap to serve its out-of-state members by opening four stores in South Carolina serving Columbia and Charleston.

Grow has consistently ranked first as a Top Work Place by the Tampa Bay Times newspaper, and in 2019, was named to Fortune Magazine’s list of 100 Best Medium Sized Workplaces. In addition, Bob was named a Tampa Bay Times Top Business Leader for 2019.

“For 20 years, I have been privileged to witness Bob’s transformational leadership,” board chair Robert LaPlant reflected. “We’ve worked tirelessly to develop a culture and leadership team that positions the credit union to succeed in a rapidly changing environment while remaining true to our core value of putting people over profit. On behalf of the entire membership, we are grateful for Bob’s service.”

Upon retirement, Mr. Fisher plans to stay involved with the MUMA College of Business at the University of South Florida and continue pursuing his hobbies in photography, video production and editing, genealogy research, and competitive BBQ.

About the New CEO

Thomas Feindt has served as executive vice president of Grow Financial since 2011 under Fisher’s mentorship. He has carefully cultivated the credit union’s growth, including nine new stores in Tampa Bay and throughout South Carolina and nearly $550 million in both asset and loan portfolio growth in the last five years. He spearheaded the launch of multi-state auto lending operations and introduced new in-store and mobile technology to enhance the member experience. Feindt has been serving as president since January 2019.

“Thomas is well positioned to lead Grow Financial into the future with continued growth, having previously served in a leadership capacity at the nation’s largest credit union,” said Bob Fisher. “He is a member-focused leader who is energetic and highly motivational, and he cares deeply about culture.”

Prior to Grow Financial, Thomas was vice president, branch operations at Navy Federal Credit Union in Vienna, Virginia, and he served in various leadership positions at State Employees’ Credit Union in North Carolina.

“I appreciate the confidence Bob and our board has placed in me,” Feindt remarked. “I consider it a high honor to be entrusted with the future of the credit union. I have no doubt our extraordinary team members and dedicated leadership team will build upon the legacy that Bob leaves behind.”

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