Heartland Credit Union Announcements
Heartland Credit Union Selects Aaron Rios as New CEO
March 9, 2026 - Heartland Credit Union has selected Aaron Rios to serve as its new Chief Executive Officer. He was placed by DDJ Myers, the well-known executive search and leadership development firm.
Aaron succeeds longtime CEO Tom Lex, who’s remarkable 45 years of dedicated service helped shape Heartland Credit Union into the strong and respected financial institution it is today. Under his leadership, the credit union experienced significant growth while maintaining its commitment to member service and community involvement.
“We’re excited to welcome Aaron as our next CEO,” said Jane Kiel, Board Chair. “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 brings more than 23 years of leadership experience in the financial services industry to the CEO position, having served in key executive roles at Citigroup, Global Bank, Midland States Bank, QCR Holdings, and most recently as Chief Operating Officer at Merrick Bank, where he helped lead their operations transformation.
Throughout his career, Rios has overseen operations across branch banking, risk and regulatory relations, back-office efficiency, financial management, digital transformation, and people development. His deep understanding of the client journey, from front-line experience to executive leadership, has helped organizations drive growth, strengthen culture, and enhance community impact.
“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,” said Rios.
Outside of work, Rios enjoys spending time with his wife and their three children. Their son plays golf at Upper Iowa University, their eldest daughter plays softball at the University of Illinois Chicago, and their youngest daughter is a freshman at Eastern Illinois University and a member of the softball team. In his spare time, Aaron enjoys golf, coaching basketball, and supporting local youth sports.