The Board of Directors of Jax Federal Credit Union recently announced the appointment of Joseph “Joe” Nowland as the credit union’s new president and chief executive officer, effective April 1.
He succeeds Gerri Sexsion, who will retire on March 29 after 21 years as the president and CEO. Nowland brings experience in several areas of credit union leadership, including member services, retail operations, business banking, risk management, strategic planning and performance management.
Nowland has over 24 years of experience in the financial services industry and has held numerous staff and executive positions in several locations throughout the Southeast. Most recently, he served as the chief business services officer at VyStar Credit Union, where he helped grow the organization to $8.2 billion in assets serving over 650,000 members across Florida and Georgia.
Prior to joining VyStar, Nowland spent most of his career in management and executive roles with First Union/Wachovia Bank on the retail and business banking side of the organization. His last role at the bank was community bank president for the Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern Tennessee market, where he was responsible for the financial performance of retail and commercial banking.
Other roles during his career include small business banking manager/vice president for Georgia; regional retail manager/vice president (overseeing 11 branches) in Baltimore; regional sales manager/vice president for the Washington D.C. metropolitan market (Southern Maryland, Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia); and senior financial specialist in Northern Virginia. Nowland also spent two years during this timeframe as the vice president of sales and marketing for NETSEC, an internet technology company funded by E-Trade, which was ultimately acquired by MCI for $105 million.
“The Board of Directors worked with DDJ Myers to conduct an extensive national search for the right leader to guide Jax Federal Credit Union’s next phase of growth,” said Charles T. McLeod Jr., chairman of the Jax Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. “Little did we know, the perfect candidate was right under our nose. Joe’s passion and experience immediately resonated with our board, and we trust that our members will be just as excited to welcome him to the Jax Federal Credit Union family.”
Nowland earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications and public relations from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. He is also a Certified Strategic Executive (CSE), Certified Credit Union Enterprise Risk Management Expert (CUERME) and Certified Residential Underwriter (CRU). While attending college in Texas, Nowland served in the U.S. Army Reserves with the 7/6 Cavalry Attack Helicopter Unit.
“I’m honored to be selected as Jax Federal Credit Union’s next president and chief executive officer,” Nowland said. “Jax Federal Credit Union has done an outstanding job over the years serving its members’ needs and making a difference in the community. I look forward to leading an organization with an exceptionally talented team that is focused on making a positive impact on people’s lives and the communities the credit union serves.”
