Credit Union Leasing of America (CULA) recently filled an executive role in a move the company did not anticipate having to do a few months ago.

The provider of indirect vehicle leasing for credit unions for more than 35 years announced the appointment of Chris Harper as director of business development, replacing Mark Chandler who passed away unexpectedly in November.

CULA said Harper now will lead strategic initiatives to build new partnerships, strengthen customer engagement, and drive revenue growth, leveraging his extensive experience in financial services, fintech, and credit union sectors.

“We are pleased to welcome Chris to CULA,” CULA president Ken Sopp said in a news release. “Chris, who is a seasoned professional with a proven track record of building strong relationships and delivering exceptional results, will continue the extraordinary work of our dear friend and colleague Mark Chandler, who passed away in November.

“Chris has a deep background with auto finance and credit unions, and we are confident he will build on the strong network Mark built and continue his passion for bringing the benefits of affordable and flexible auto financing options to our credit union partners,” Sopp continued.

Harper joins CULA with 25 years of credit union industry experience in sales, partnerships, and business development. Most recently, he served as senior director of credit union partnerships at Goalsetter, where he led financial institution sales and acted as the primary liaison to fintech solution providers.

Prior to that position, Harper held key leadership roles, including regional vice president of sales at Open Lending and senior director of membership at Filene Research Institute, where his teams consistently achieved strong growth and expanded market presence.

Harper also spent 15 years with Origence, where he last served as vice president of strategic alliances during which he cultivated new partnerships with fintechs, broadened market reach and created new revenue streams.

“With vehicle prices remaining at stubbornly high levels, leasing continues to gain traction as an optimal choice for consumers, and we are committed to helping credit unions seamlessly incorporate leasing into their portfolios. Chris’ expertise in sales, strategic partnerships, and team leadership will be instrumental to our mission,” Sopp said.

Chandler was with CULA for about seven years after spending nearly two decades as president of Autoland, an auto buying service with locations throughout California, Oregon and Washington.

Currently, CULA’s leasing platform operates in 23 states, with more than 40 credit unions actively participating.

“This is a bittersweet moment. I could not be more proud to join CULA and work with such a dynamic and forward-thinking team, but, I know I have big shoes to fill with the passing of our beloved Mark,” Harper said. “I am deeply honored to continue his legacy and look forward to helping credit unions across the country with CULA’s innovative, turnkey leasing solutions.”