The board of directors of the Allegiance Credit Union in Oklahoma City announced Thursday the appointment of Amy Downs as the next president/CEO.
She will succeed the retiring President/CEO Lynette Leonard who led the Oklahoma credit union since 1997. Under Leonard’s two decades of leadership, the credit union grew from $78 million in assets and 16,188 members to $259 million in assets and 26,342 members.
Downs, who now serves as executive vice president, will take over the CEO post in January.
She launched her credit union career as a drive-thru teller at the $82 million Wesla Federal Credit Union in Shreveport, La.
In October 1988, Downs transferred to Federal Employees Credit Union, which was later renamed Allegiance CU.
In April 1995, while working as a credit card loan officer, she became one of 15 ACU employees who survived the Oklahoma City bombing at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. At the time of the domestic terrorist attack, 33 employees were working. Eighteen employees, a board member and a credit committee member died. Eighty-five of the credit union’s members also perished.
Downs, who has received numerous accolades and awards for her leadership, has also served as Allegiance CU’s member service supervisor and vice president of member services.
