Affinity Federal Credit Union (Affinity), a member-based, federally insured, full-service financial institution, has appointed Kevin Brauer as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/President. Brauer is the current Chief Administrative and Financial Officer at Affinity and will succeed the current CEO/President, John Fenton. Fenton has served as Affinity’s CEO for over 27 years and led the organization’s growth as the largest credit union headquartered in the state of New Jersey.

“Kevin is a long-tenured, well-respected and highly regarded member of the Affinity leadership team,” said Richard Meene, Chairman of Affinity’s Board of Directors. “He is committed to Affinity’s mission of supporting the financial wellbeing of its members and has been instrumental in developing the philosophy, services and impact that will continue to fuel our organization, as well as better support the communities we serve. We are confident in his vision for Affinity’s future and are thrilled to appoint him to this role.”

Affinity seeks to improve the financial wellbeing of its members and the communities it serves. Fenton provided the vision and execution for this philosophy, working to position Affinity as an industry-leader and a trusted partner for its members and community. Affinity supports this mission through its suite of products and services for the individuals and businesses it serves, including various lending options, credit counseling and debt support, competitive credit card offerings, investing, and insurance solutions.

Brauer has over three decades of financial services industry experience, and more than seven years with Affinity. He has played a significant role in leading Affinity’s value proposition to its members and designing Affinity’s financial wellbeing initiatives. Within Affinity, Brauer has led the Administration, Human Resources, Finance, Payment Solutions, Data, Digital Technology, Consumer and Commercial Lending, Enterprise Risk Management and Operational Risk groups. Prior to joining Affinity, he held executive level positions with VSoft Corporation, Alloya Corporate Federal Credit Union and Empire Corporate Federal Credit Union, as well as roles in public accounting for a Fortune 500 company.

Brauer commented: “I am honored to lead Affinity into the next phase of its history, building on the foundation John laid for promoting financial wellbeing for our members and communities. Our goal is to advance our members’ overall financial wellbeing and it is exciting to partner with our team members across the organization to achieve this in a new capacity.”

Brauer will assume the role of CEO/President effective Jan. 1, 2023. He will report to the Board of Directors and assume leadership of Affinity’s 500-person team in its Basking Ridge, New Jersey headquarters and across its over 20 branch locations. Fenton will remain in a transitional role for a few months; he will also retain responsibilities with the Affinity Foundation.

Brauer is a Certified Public Accountant who holds a Master of Business Administration from Marist College and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Niagara University.