Keesler Federal Credit Union, recently named by Newsweek magazine as one of “America’s Best Credit Unions,” announced its first Chief People Officer as the newest member of its leadership team.
Catherine Shutts, an HR executive with over 30 years of experience and a proven track record of implementing HR and Human Capital business strategies, was named Chief People Officer and a member of the credit union’s leadership team. Shutts joins Keesler Federal after seven years as Executive Vice President of Human Resources at Prosperity Bank, a $38B Houston, Texas-based regional financial holding company with more than 3,900 employees. She has also served as a transformational HR leader within the global oil & gas, non-profit, manufacturing, and contingent staffing sectors.
Shutts comes to Keesler Federal just months after its merger with Jefferson Financial Federal Credit Union of Metairie, Louisiana – the largest credit union in Mississippi and Louisiana history. After the merger is complete in early 2026, Keesler Federal will have just under $5 billion in assets with 370,000 members and 55 branch locations stretching across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Keesler Federal will also gain 140 new employees, and grow to more than 930 total employees,
Andrew Swoger, President and CEO of Keesler Federal, said the credit union’s growth and performance is building a reputation that extends far beyond its Gulf South region, and is attracting the notice of top-notch professionals from across the nation.
“I’m pleased to bring Catherine’s talents and capabilities to our team,” Swoger said. “We truly have a leadership team in place that is best-in-class as we usher in a new era at Keesler Federal.”
Shutts said it was Keesler Federal’s commitment to its members and employees that attracted her to the opportunity to join the team.
“It’s an honor to join Keesler Federal as Chief People Officer and to become part of an executive team so deeply committed to people and community,” Shutts said. “Keesler Federal has an incredible legacy of serving its members, and I’m excited to partner with the executive team to expand the impact we can make together for our employees and members in the communities where we all live, work and thrive.”
About Keesler Federal Credit Union
Established in 1947, Keesler Federal is a dynamic, stable, financially strong credit union dedicated to building a better community, one member, one relationship, one financial solution at a time. The not-for-profit financial cooperative, recently named as one of America’s Best Regional Banks and Credit Unions 2024 by Newsweek, is owned by its more than 330,000 members worldwide and has 41 locations stretching from New Orleans across the Mississippi Gulf Coast to Mobile. It has branches in Jackson and Hattiesburg and has four locations in the United Kingdom. Keesler Federal proudly serves the financial needs of people from all walks of life, and membership is widely available to thousands who live, work, worship, or attend school in these areas.
Contact:
T. Bradley Keith, Director, Communications and Public Affairs
Bradley.Keith@kfcu.org
(228) 701-1347 – direct
(225) 364-5804 – cell
Lea Ivey Stone, Public Relations & Communications Manager
Lea.Stone@kfcu.org
(228) 697-1982 – cell