Fort Atkinson Credit Union (FCCU) has announced that Chief Financial Officer Rick Austin will be retiring, effective Jan. 15. His successor, Josh Kline, has been promoted to vice president of finance and accounting.
About Austin
According to information released by FCCU, Austin joined the FCCU Board of Directors in 1991, serving in that role until 2012. Following his board tenure, Austin was hired at the credit union as senior vice president of finance and product strategies. In 2015, he was placed in the role in which he serves today.
Under Austin’s leadership, FCCU has grown from $36 million to nearly $350 million in assets.
“On behalf of the board and FCCU’s management team, I want to thank Rick for his many contributions over the last 30 years. He has helped guide the credit union in its growth, and through volatile times, while maintaining financial integrity and providing steadfast leadership. We wish him well as he enters the next exciting phase of his life,” Sue Johnson, FCCU president and chief executive officer, was quoted as saying in the release.
Prior to joining FCCU, Austin worked as the chief financial officer at Digi-Star, LLC. in Fort Atkinson. He earned his bachelor’s in business administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and is a certified public accountant.
Austin and his wife, Crystal, plan to enjoy the seasons of Wisconsin at their home on Lake Koshkonong.
About Kline
According to the release, Kline previously served as controller, beginning in that role in 2019. Kline will seek guidance and mentorship from other credit union CFO leaders in pursuit of assuming the CFO seat. Kline will oversee all finance functions, including accounting and investments, as well as provide strategic guidance for maintaining and enhancing the financial performance of the credit union.
Kline joined FCCU as a part-time teller in 2012. He received his bachelor’s in business administration in accounting from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2016, and his master’s degree in finance in 2019.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to promote Josh once again. Josh has been an integral part of the FCCU team for the past ten years. His knowledge and industry expertise will allow him to make an immediate contribution to our strategic planning and business operations,” Johnson said in the release.
Kline holds a Certified Credit Union Investments Professional (CCUIP) designation. Additionally, he is in the second year of a three-year program: the Credit Union National Association Management School, where he will earn a designation of Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE).
Kline has served as treasurer of the South Central Chapter of Credit Unions. He will also be joining the Hoard Historical Society Board of Directors as treasurer in February, and routinely participates in various volunteering initiatives in the communities FCCU serves.
Kline and his wife, Sarah, live in Whitewater. When not working or volunteering in the community, Kline enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking or fishing, or in the kitchen cooking new dishes from around the world.
FCCU Chief Financial Officer Rick Austin. Contributed photo.
FCCU Vice President of Finance and Accounting Josh Kline. Contributed photo.
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