First Financial Federal CEO Church To Retire; Wheeler Named Successor
By CU Today Staff —
SPARKS, Md.—Eric Church, who helped oversee substantial growth and three mergers during more than a decade as CEO of First Financial Federal Credit Union, will retire Oct. 5, with current President James C. Wheeler succeeding him as president and CEO of the $1.4 billion institution, the CU announced.
Church has spent 32 years at First Financial and 42 years in financial services. He joined the credit union in 1994 as vice president of finance and information technology after beginning his career as a CPA with Stegman & Co., and was named president/CEO in 2015. During his tenure as CEO, First Financial said assets increased by $485 million, loans by $686 million and shares by $431 million, while membership grew by more than 21,000 and the workforce expanded by more than 100 employees. Church also led three credit union mergers that added more than 4,000 members.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve First Financial and our membership for over three decades. When I first joined this credit union, I saw a mission-driven organization committed to helping people build a stronger financial future together,” Church said. “I am incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished over the years, and as I begin the next chapter, I know First Financial is in great hands with James Wheeler and the talented employees who will continue building on our success and moving the credit union forward.”
The succession has been in preparation for nearly a year. Wheeler, a retired combat veteran who previously served as First Financial’s senior vice president and chief operating officer, was promoted to president effective Oct. 1, 2025, while Church remained CEO. Wheeler has more than 20 years of financial-services experience and previously held several leadership positions at the credit union, including chief risk officer and chief information and risk officer.
Originally reported by CU Today.