Succession Planning: From Policy to Practice with David Reed

www.marktreichel.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-treichel/

In this episode of With Flying Colors, Mark Treichel sits down with David Reed of Reed & Jolly to dive deep into the NCUA’s new succession planning rule and what it means for credit unions across the country.

Too often, boards and executives focus on writing a policy—but not on the real-world practice of finding and preparing leaders for the future. David explains why succession planning can’t stop with “golden handcuffs” or executive retention packages and why the real challenge is board and volunteer succession.

Key Topics Covered

• The January 2026 effective date of the NCUA succession planning rule
• Why smaller credit unions face unique challenges when CEOs retire or leave suddenly
• The risks of relying only on the “hit by a bus” plan for executive succession
• Board succession struggles: aging volunteers, shrinking social networks, and limited recruitment pools
• The role of advisory boards, director emeritus programs, and board expansion in keeping knowledge while bringing in fresh voices
• The importance of diversity of thought—beyond demographics—to strengthen governance
• Practical tips for creating a process to identify, recruit, and onboard new volunteers
• How nominations policies and ongoing outreach can build a pipeline of future board members

David also shares stories from his work with credit unions nationwide, highlighting what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Why Listen?

If you’re a credit union leader, board member, or volunteer, this episode offers realistic, actionable advice on turning succession planning from a compliance checklist into a strategic advantage.

📧 To reach David Reed: david@reedandjolly.com