Heartland Credit Union names Aaron Rios as its next CEO

Heartland Credit Union has named Aaron Rios as its new CEO, according to a community announcement.

Rios takes over from Tom Lex, who served 45 years with the company.

Rios comes to Heartland with more than 23 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has held executive positions at Citigroup, Global Bank, Midland States Bank, QCR Holdings and most recently served as chief operating officer at Merrick Bank, where he helped lead operations transformation.

‘We’re excited to welcome Aaron as our next CEO’

“We’re excited to welcome Aaron as our next CEO,” Jane Kiel, Heartland’s board chair, said in the announcement. “His extensive experience in financial services and proven leadership make him well-suited to guide Heartland Credit Union into its next chapter. We are confident he will continue the strong tradition of service while identifying new opportunities to support our employees, our members and the communities we serve. We also want to thank Tom Lex for his years of service to Heartland Credit Union and to the credit union industry. His leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact on our organization and the community.”

Rios has overseen operations across branch banking, risk and regulatory relations, back-office efficiency, financial management, digital transformation and people development, according to the announcement. He has experience across the client journey, from front-line roles to executive leadership.

“I want to thank Jane Kiel and the entire Board of Directors for their trust and confidence. My family and I are excited to make Springfield our new home, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the talented team at Heartland Credit Union. I look forward to building relationships with our employees, serving our members and becoming an active part of the community,” Rios said in the announcement.

Family ties to college sports

Outside of work, Rios enjoys spending time with his wife and three children. His son plays golf at Upper Iowa University, his eldest daughter plays softball at the University of Illinois Chicago and his youngest daughter is a freshman at Eastern Illinois University and a member of the softball team. In his spare time, Rios enjoys golf, coaching basketball and supporting local youth sports.

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