Credit union names market president for three counties in region

A Gulf Coast credit union has appointed a new regional executive. Achieva Credit Union has named Ryan Cooke as market president for Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties.

“Ryan brings a depth of leadership experience and an incredible ability to connect with people,” Renee Grauer, president of retail sales and services at Achieva Credit Union, says in a statement. “He understands how to build strong teams, how to mentor leaders and most importantly, how to keep our focus on helping members achieve their goals.”

Cooke’s career in the banking industry spans nearly three decades. He started in 1998 at NationsBank, then went on to work for First Union, Wachovia and Wells Fargo. Ultimately, he became a regional business consultant at Wells Fargo, coaching branch and district leaders across North and Southwest Florida, according to a statement.

In his new role, Cooke will oversee Achieva Credit Union’s branches in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, leading market strategy, community engagement and member growth, according to a statement.

“I’ve admired Achieva for years because of its culture and its focus on people, not profit,” Cooke says in the statement. “These aren’t just our members; they’re our neighbors, our friends and our families. And that’s what makes this work so meaningful.”

Achieva Credit Union was founded in Pinellas County in 1937 and currently has almost 195,000 members. It has 26 branches across 22 Florida counties and manages more than $3.1 billion in assets.