JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Katie Averill, who just stepped down as Iowa’s superintendent of credit unions after nearly a decade overseeing the state’s credit union industry, has been named chief risk and compliance officer at VyStar Credit Union, effective Nov. 2.
VyStar said Averill will oversee enterprise risk management, compliance and Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering functions. She will report to Lance Davies, the credit union’s chief legal officer.
As the CU Daily recently reported here, Averill concluded her tenure as Iowa’s top credit union regulator Oct. 23. First appointed in 2017, she was confirmed for a third term by a unanimous vote of the Iowa Senate. During her tenure, she oversaw an industry serving more than 1.6 million members.
“Katie’s combination of regulatory expertise, strategic leadership and operational experience makes her an outstanding addition to VyStar,” VyStar President and CEO Brian Wolburg said in a statement. “As VyStar continues to grow, her leadership will help us further strengthen our risk and compliance framework while remaining focused on serving our members and communities.”
Iowa Governor Comments On Departure
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds praised Averill’s service and announced that Deputy Superintendent Kevin Gorman will serve as interim superintendent.
“Katie Averill has served Iowans with distinction for nearly a decade, ensuring a safe, fair, and thriving regulatory environment for our state’s credit unions. I’m grateful for her leadership and wish her well,” Reynolds said. “I look forward to working with Deputy Superintendent Kevin Gorman as he steps in as interim Superintendent of Credit Unions to ensure continuity of service to the industry during this transition.”
Regulatory And Credit Union Experience
In addition to her responsibilities in Iowa, Averill held several national industry leadership positions, including chair of the regulator board of the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors and chair of the NCUA-State Joint Supervision Working Group.
Before entering public service, Averill spent 10 years as senior vice president at Citizens Community Credit Union in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Her responsibilities included branch operations, member service, marketing and business development. She also served as staff liaison to the credit union’s board of directors.
“VyStar’s commitment to its members and communities is evident in the way the organization approaches growth and service,” Averill said in the announcement. “I look forward to working with the team to build on that strong foundation and help VyStar continue to manage risk thoughtfully and responsibly.”
Averill holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Iowa State University, is a Certified Credit Union Executive and is a graduate of CUNA Management School.
She also founded the JOY of Reading Program, which promotes childhood literacy, according to VyStar.
