KAILUA, Hawaii–Ko’olau Federal Credit Union President and CEO James Lee is retiring after three years leading the organization

“…He  has developed a reputation for taking on challenging assignments and changing the culture of underperforming organizations,” the credit union said in a statement.

Lee has more than 30 years of experience in the banking and credit union industries, with extensive experience in retail operations, consumer and commercial lending, and compliance. 

Lee is also a veteran of the Army Reserve and served as an infantry officer assigned to IXth Corps and the famed 100th Bn/442nd Infantry Regiment.  He graduated from the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses at Fort Benning and completed the Special Forces Staff Officer Course.   

Grew Up in Hawaii

Lee grew up Waipahu, attended the University of Hawaii and worked for several local financial institutions over the years. He left Hawaii for Washington, DC in 2000 to work at his first credit union – The United States Senate FCU.

Prior to joining Ko’olau FCU, Lee was the president and CEO of GEICO Federal Credit Union in Chevy Chase, Md.