First Financial FCU Names New President; Eric Church to Remain CEO

First Financial Federal Credit Union has named James C. Wheeler as president effective Oct. 1, 2025. Eric Church will remain in his position as CEO of the $1.3 billion financial institution, the credit union said.

In his new role, First Financial said Wheeler will lead all aspects of its daily operations and strategic growth initiatives as well as oversee the senior leadership team.

Wheeler most recently served as the credit union's SVP/COO. In his role as COO, he was responsible for all member-facing teams, including branch services, contact centers, account services and digital banking, as well as IT, risk and compliance, administrative, and facilities services, according to First Financial.

Prior Roles

Prior to his role as COO, Wheeler held numerous leadership positions within First Financial, including chief risk officer and chief information and risk officer, and worked in the financial services industry for more than 20 years.

"As a staunch advocate for professional development and leadership training, he serves as executive sponsor and mentor for the Limitless Leaders Employee Resource Group, supporting the next generation of credit union leaders," the credit union said.

Additionally, he is active in professional organizations such as the Cybersecurity Advisory Board at CCBC, America's Credit Union Councils, InfraGard (FBI), Maryland Association of Bank Security, and MEMA's Private Sector Integration Program.

'Honored to be Chosen'

"I am honored to have been chosen as the next president of First Financial and look forward to continuing the credit union's focus on financial wellness for our members, business partners, and community," Wheeler said in a statement. "First Financial is well-positioned for strategic expansion throughout Maryland with our innovative suite of product and service solutions; I'm excited for the opportunities that lie ahead."

Military Experience & Education

A retired combat veteran, Wheeler served for more than 24 years in the United States Marine Corps and Maryland Army National Guard, including deployments in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

"His military service shaped his expertise in communications, finance, information security, technology, operations, and risk management," First Financial said.

Wheeler earned a B.S. in Information Assurance from the University of Maryland University College and holds numerous professional certifications, including CISSP, PMP, and CompTIA Security+. He resides in Kingsville, Md., with his family.