Retirement Announcement 
The Board of Directors of Northeast Community Credit Union announces the upcoming retirement of current President/CEO Teresa Colbaugh Arnold, and the promotion of her successor, David LeVeau.
Arnold was promoted from Chief Financial Officer to President/Chief Executive Officer in 2016 following the retirement of long-time NCCU CEO Kathy Campbell. Arnold previously served Northeast Community Credit Union as CFO for 25 years. Teresa is married to Patton Arnold; they have a daughter, son, and two grandchildren.
During her tenure as President, Arnold has witnessed tremendous growth at the Credit Union. She helped provide strong leadership during challenging times including a pandemic and natural disaster. “Our financial strength is rated among the highest in the entire nation and our Credit Union was well equipped to handle those events. NCCU is rock solid and strong as ever”.
Ms. Arnold credits “a wise and compassionate Board of Directors, dedicated staff, loyal members, and the grace of God” for the Credit Union’s success, award-winning service levels, and position of prominence in the communities it serves. “Our Elizabethton, Johnson City, and Roan Mountain offices are staffed with employees committed to helping individuals and families meet or exceed their financial goals”, says Arnold. “Relationships developed with members, coworkers, and others throughout the area and beyond are precious to me. I have also enjoyed being involved in our local schools to help educate young people and start them on sensible money paths. Our school branches are doing an awesome job in that regard”. The Credit Union has student-run branches in every Carter County high school as well as at Elizabethton High School. “I’ve seen many changes in financial services over the past four decades. While Northeast Community Credit Union remains at the forefront with technology and services for our members, our Credit Union priorities are unchanged: Help members, support communities, and provide financial education. I’ve been blessed to work at a job I love doing”.
Arnold first submitted notice to the Board nearly a year ago, saying after 40 enjoyable years of working in the Credit Union movement, she would like to retire in 2025. “I want time for additional traveling with my husband and for making more great memories with our family and grandchildren”.
David LeVeau, incoming President/CEO, is a familiar face in the area. He actively serves in numerous community organizations and has held executive positions at several local community banks. His diverse experience of nearly 25 years in the financial industry and his previous career as an owner and operator in the restaurant industry has prepared him well to serve as Credit Union CEO. “I would like to thank the NCCU Board of Directors for this honor to become the next CEO of NCCU and entrusting me with the opportunity to serve our members. I would also like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for this blessing and position of leadership and service in our community.”
LeVeau has worked at Northeast Community Credit Union for nearly two years while developing and implementing a successful commercial lending program, and says the Credit Union’s focus on serving the community resonates strongly with him.
“I’ve always been hands-on in my work, regardless of the job or location – as a restaurant owner and manager in my initial career path, to community bank executive over the last couple of decades. I have a passion to serve our community and deliver exactly what our members desire and need. The Credit Union movement is all about ‘People Serving People’ and I will work hard to fulfill that mission striving to exceed our members’ expectations”.
Mr. LeVeau has been involved with many community groups and non-profits over the years and has served as President of the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce, Vice Chair and Treasurer of our local Boys & Girls Club, Secretary for the county’s Joint Economic Community Development Board, former President of the Elizabethton Soccer Association, and a past President and current Board Member of the Elizabethton Kiwanis Club. LeVeau has also coached his children in several sports teams as they grew up. “I have a passion for helping people, particularly families, kids, and the underserved in the community and being involved in these non-profit organizations is a way of giving back. I see this opportunity as a personal ministry to serve others. Northeast Community Credit Union has nearly 13,000 members and our team is looking to serve more every day. I see many opportunities for our Credit Union to help folks and I am looking forward to being a bigger part of that in carrying out my duties as NCCU President/CEO. I encourage people to come see our NCCU team at our four branch locations or online and learn what we can do for you”.
Arnold stated, “I am very confident our Board of Directors has made a wise choice in David LeVeau for this job. It is clear he is a man of integrity, and he has shown phenomenal leadership skills in the community and during the time he has been with us. I anticipate a very bright future for our Credit Union with him at the helm and I’m excited to see what he has in store for our members and community”. LeVeau has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from University of North Carolina, a Master’s degree in Accountancy from East Tennessee State University, and graduated from the top of his class at the LSU Graduate School of Banking in 2019. He has studied other industry-specific curriculums with additional financial certifications as well. LeVeau and his wife, Anette, live in Elizabethton and enjoy time with their children and grandchildren. He and his family are members of Valley Forge FWB Church.
