ALBANY, N.Y. — William J. Mellin, who has led the New York Credit Union Association for more than a quarter-century, will step down as president and CEO at the end of 2026, concluding a 32-year career with the organization.
NYCUA’s board of directors announced Mellin’s planned departure Thursday, saying he will remain president and CEO through Dec. 31 while assisting with succession planning and the transition to new leadership.
Mellin has served as NYCUA’s president and CEO since 2000 and has been with the association for 32 years.
Chief Operating Officer Chris Pajak will assume responsibility for day-to-day operations of NYCUA and its affiliated organizations for the remainder of 2026 and until a new president and CEO is formally appointed, according to the association.
The board said it expects to launch a search committee during the fourth quarter to identify Mellin’s successor, with additional details on the process expected in the first quarter of 2027.
Assets, Membership Grew During Tenure
During Mellin’s 26 years as CEO, assets held by New York credit unions increased from approximately $36 billion to more than $133 billion, while membership grew from 4 million to nearly 7.5 million, according to NYCUA.
The association said the percentage of New York credit unions belonging to NYCUA also increased from approximately 70% early in Mellin’s tenure to 86% today.
NYCUA’s 2025 membership survey reported a 97% overall member satisfaction rate.
Mellin has also overseen the association’s affiliated organizations, including OwnersChoice Funding, UsNet Shared Branching and the New York Credit Union Foundation.
Earlier this year, Mellin received the 2026 Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award from the American Association of Credit Union Leagues, recognizing his leadership and contributions to the credit union movement.
“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 and 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,” Roberts added. “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.”
Pajak to Oversee Daily Operations
NYCUA said Pajak will oversee daily operations during the leadership transition, with the board citing his years of experience on the association’s senior leadership team and his institutional knowledge.
Mellin, meanwhile, will focus on transferring institutional knowledge, maintaining key relationships and helping ensure ongoing initiatives continue through the transition, according to the association.
The board said the leadership change is not expected to interrupt NYCUA’s advocacy, education and professional development programs or the work of its affiliates.
NYCUA represents 270 credit unions across New York serving more than 7.4 million members and holding more than $133 billion in assets.
