New president appointed at Collins Community CU

Collins Community Credit Union in Cedar Rapids will have new leadership after April 1.

Stefanie Rupert, CCCU chief operating officer since 2011, has been appointed president and chief executive officer by the credit union's board of directors. Rupert was promoted to executive vice president in 2013.

She will succeed current President and CEO Richard Benhart, who will retire on April 1 after 30 years of service. Benhart joined CCCU as a senior vice president in 1986. He was appointed president and CEO in October 2000.

Benhart has watched CCCU, the fourth-largest credit union in Iowa, grow from assets of $84 million to $925 million.

'I am proud to be part of an organization that has such deep roots in the community and I know Stefanie will successfully continue the legacy that Collins Community Credit Union represents,” Benhart said in a news release.

As chief operating officer, Rupert has managed all departments that touch the membership, including commercial services, consumer and real estate lending, operations, credit solution and electronic services. She also oversees compliance and audit.

'We look forward to having Stefanie Rupert lead our credit union into the future, with great visions of growth and commitment to both our organization and community,” said Marsha Schulte, chairwomen of the CCCU board of directors in the news release.

Collins Community Credit Union's membership includes residents of 38 counties. Founded in 1940 by 10 employees of Collins Radio, predecessor of Rockwell Collins, the credit union has 14 locations in Cedar Rapids, Marion, North Liberty, Iowa City, Des Moines and two home loan centers in Cedar Falls and Dubuque.