News and Announcements
Heartland Credit Union Announcements
Heartland Credit Union Announces Appointment of Patrick Smith as Chief Financial Officer
10/14/2025 – Heartland Credit Union (HCU) is proud to announce the appointment of Patrick Smith as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
“I am excited to have a professional with Patrick’s experience and credentials join us at HCU,” said Tom Lex, President and CEO of Heartland Credit Union. “Patrick will be a great asset to the credit union. His expertise will play a key role in advancing our financial objectives and supporting the continued success of our members and community.”
Most recently, Mr. Smith served at Kerber, Eck & Braeckel LLP, where he specialized in financial institutions. Prior to that, he worked at Ernst & Young, where he focused on assurance services for a range of clients in the financial sector.
“Heartland Credit Union has built a strong reputation and earned well-deserved recognition within the credit union industry,” said Smith. “I am honored to join such a dedicated team and look forward to contributing to HCU’s mission of delivering exceptional value to its members.”
A graduate of Sacred Heart-Griffin (SHG) and St. Ambrose University, Patrick earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance and holds the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation. He resides in Springfield with his wife, Amelia, and their children, Roman, Mila, and Shiloh.
President and CEO, Tom Lex Announces His Retirement
Tom Lex, President and CEO of Heartland Credit Union, is set to retire in February 2026 after a distinguished 45-year career with the organization. He will continue in his role until his retirement in February 2026. Expressing his appreciation, Mr. Lex stated, “It has been a privilege to serve our members for more than 45 years. Throughout this journey, I have been fortunate to work alongside an outstanding board and dedicated staff, whose commitment and teamwork have made our success possible.”
Joining Heartland as a Teller in 1980, Lex rose through the ranks to various management positions and became President in February 2014, succeeding Ed Gvazdinskas. In recognition of his significant impact on the credit union community, Lex was inducted into the Illinois Credit Union Hall of Fame in 2023. Jane Kiel, Chair of the Board of Directors, praised Lex’s contributions, stating, “Tom’s commitment to the credit union, its staff, and the wider community has played a vital role in our success and has set us on a path for future growth. We are grateful for his dedication and wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Under Lex’s leadership, Heartland Credit Union has witnessed extraordinary growth, with assets increasing from $231 million in 2014 to over $500 million by February 2025. He has guided the organization through numerous changes and capitalized on growth opportunities, increasing membership from 26,000 in 2014 to more than 33,000 today.
Lex’s dedication to the credit union community is apparent through his extensive involvement, including board positions with the Sangamon Valley Chapter of Credit Unions, the ICUL Foundation, and the Credit Union Political Action Council. He has also served on various community boards. Reflecting on his career at Heartland Credit Union, Lex shared, “ I am thankful for the chance to serve our members and hope our efforts have fulfilled our mission to improve their lives.” Following his retirement, he looks forward to playing golf and spending more time with his wife, Tracey, children, and grandchildren.
The Heartland Credit Union Board of Directors will begin the search for the next President and CEO within the coming months.