ABQ Times

Nusenda Credit Union's President and CEO, Joe Christian, has announced his retirement effective February 28, 2025. After nearly four decades with the credit union, Christian will be succeeded by Michelle Dearholt, the current Executive Vice President of Operations.

Christian began his career at Nusenda in 1986 as the Data Processing Manager and rose through various leadership roles before becoming President and CEO in 2019. Reflecting on his tenure, he stated, "Over my 39-year journey with Nusenda, I've witnessed the transformative power of a financial cooperative. Working alongside like-minded individuals, we've achieved remarkable milestones. Our true success lies in our unwavering commitment to our members and the communities we serve and the positive impact we've made together."

Under Christian's leadership, Nusenda expanded significantly, acquiring Western Heritage Bank and enhancing its presence in southern New Mexico and West Texas. He was instrumental in advancing technology within the organization and growing community-focused programs such as the Community Rewards Program.

During his time as CEO, Nusenda gained recognition as a Top Workplace and Best Credit Union from several industry publications. Christian also contributed to numerous boards across New Mexico and received accolades for his influence in finance.

Michelle Dearholt is set to assume her new role on March 1, 2025. With over two decades at Nusenda, she has played a key role in modernizing leadership approaches and strategic initiatives. Ralph Wallace, Nusenda Board Chair, remarked on Christian's impact: “It’s hard to summarize the impact of Joe’s legacy at Nusenda... His focus on exceptional service and a strong company culture has allowed us to deepen connections with our members and their communities while garnering frequent recognition from the community and the credit union industry."

Wallace expressed confidence in Dearholt's ability to continue advancing Nusenda's mission: “We are proud to promote from within... Michelle is deeply committed to positively impacting the lives of our members, employees, and the communities we serve.”

Nusenda Credit Union remains New Mexico’s largest locally owned credit union with over $5 billion in assets.