Prior Lake, MN – South Metro Federal Credit Union proudly announced the appointment of Kent Engler as its new President and Chief Executive Officer last week. The selection followed an extensive nationwide search facilitated by DDJ Myers, the well-known executive search and leadership development firm.
Kent brings over 20 years of leadership experience in the financial services industry to his new position, with expertise in credit unions and community banking. He has a strong track record of driving growth, enhancing member satisfaction, and improving operational efficiency through strategic initiatives and team development. A dedicated advocate for community engagement, Kent has partnered with organizations to promote financial literacy and support underserved communities.
Kent shared his enthusiasm for the role, stating: “I am truly honored to be selected by the board and excited to join South Metro Federal Credit Union as its next President and CEO. South Metro has a rich legacy of serving its members and community with care and dedication. Together with the board and the talented team at South Metro, I look forward to driving impactful strategies that deliver meaningful outcomes for our members, fostering a thriving culture for our team, deepening community connections, and ensuring long-term success for our credit union.”
Beyond his professional achievements, Kent is a dedicated family man who enjoys coaching youth sports, exploring Minnesota’s natural beauty, and cheering for the home teams. His passion for empowering teams, delivering growth, and enhancing member experiences is central to his leadership philosophy.
As South Metro Federal Credit Union looks to the future, the organization remains dedicated to its mission of providing exceptional financial services while enriching the lives of its members and the community.
Regarding the selection process, Kent shared: “The team at DDJ Myers, led by Deedee, demonstrated exceptional communication and provided a clearly defined process throughout my journey. Their applicant portal was incredibly helpful in understanding the role, the needs of the board, and the institution, ensuring I was well-prepared at every step. The team was responsive, proactive, and consistently kept me informed about what was transpiring. Their exceptional insights and deep knowledge of the credit union industry make them highly qualified partners for talent searches. I would highly recommend DDJ Myers to any organization seeking a strategic and effective approach to filling key roles.”
About South Metro Federal Credit Union
Founded in 1993 with a sponsoring financial contribution from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux (Dakota) Community, South Metro Federal Credit Union (SMFCU) is a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative. Our focus is on community, relationships with our members in Scott, Hennepin and Carver County, MN, and select consumer food and housing cooperatives.
SMFCU endeavors to improve its members’ quality of lives by providing a broad range of financial products, services and education to achieve personal and professional financial goals. The Credit Union is insured by the National Credit Union Administration, an agency of the U.S. government, and committed to providing our members with affordable, flexible solutions for every budget in every phase of their life. Learn more at https://www.southmet.com.
About DDJ Myers, an ALM First Company
DDJ Myers specializes in leadership success through executive recruitment, strategic organization, and board development for financial institutions. In addition, they offer a broad range of online assessments to help companies optimize their greatest assets – their people. DDJ Myers joined forces with ALM First, a strategic partner for depositories, offering an array of financial advisory services, in 2022 to provide expanded educational opportunities and solutions to help clients optimize both people and financial performance. Learn more at www.ddjmyers.com or visit our parent company www.almfirst.com.
