CARIBOU — Officials with the County Federal Credit Union have announced that effective June 2, Ryan Ellsworth will serve as the new president/CEO. Ellsworth will replace current President/CEO Ken Hensler, who is retiring in July.
According to Board Chairman Shawn Anderson, The County Federal Credit Union Board of Directors conducted a national search with a grassroots front-and-center role in recruiting, screening, interviewing and selecting the next CEO. Out of 43 candidates, the Board narrowed the field to nine finalists, and ultimately selected Ellsworth after a three-part interview process.
“What sets The County Federal Credit Union apart is our local decision-making and personal approach.” Anderson said. “We know our members and our members know us. Ryan is well known in the communities we serve and is the consummate financial professional. That difference was one of the foremost reasons we hired Ryan,” Anderson continued. “He competed with highly qualified candidates on a national level, but in the end, the best choice was one of our own. We are thoroughly convinced that Ryan is ready for this role, and we stand with him as we celebrate a very successful past and embark on our very bright future.”
After graduating from the University of Maine in Orono with a bachelors degree in business administration, Ellsworth began his banking career at Katahdin Trust Company as a commercial credit analyst before being promoted to commercial loan officer. He joined The County Federal Credit Union in 2004 as its executive vice president.
“I am extremely honored and humbled by the confidence the Board of Directors has placed in me and for this opportunity to serve the members and employees of The County Federal Credit Union,” said Ellsworth. “One of my primary goals is to continue the tremendous success that this credit union and its staff have achieved over the past 58 years,” he added. “We will continue to be a successful, thriving cooperative financial institution that is driven to exceed member expectations at every turn.”
A Presque Isle native, Ellsworth is an active member of the Caribou community who currently serves as President of the Caribou Rotary Club; he’s been a member of the service organization since 2006.
Ellsworth also sits on the Central Aroostook Association board in Presque Isle, and has previously served on the Presque Isle Development Fund Board, and the board of the Caribou Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He resides in Presque Isle with his wife of seven years, Sarah, his son, Sam, 15, and his daughter, Aubrey, 6.
When he’s not giving back to the greater community or overseeing the County Federal Credit Union, Ellsworth can be found outdoors either camping, hunting, or “playing on equipment.”
“I love what Aroostook County has to offer,” he said, placing an emphasis on the pace of The County and its people.
