Modern Executive Solutions Assists Members Development Company with CEO Search

December 18, 2024 – After casting a nationwide net for the best candidates, Atlanta-based executive search firm Modern Executive Solutions has assisted in the recruitment of Ned Tobey as the new CEO of Members Development Company (MDC), a future-focused network accelerating credit union success in Madison, WI. He will succeed Jeff Kline, MDC’s CEO since 2007, in January 2025. The selection of Mr. Tobey caps a search process that followed Mr. Kline’s retirement announcement earlier this year. “After looking at his esteemed career and leadership style, we are sure that Ned is the perfect person to lead this organization,” said Kevin Johnson, MDC board chairman and Suncoast Credit Union CEO. “His understanding of modern digital banking is second to none, which we believe will be key to the continued flourishing of MDC and our owners.”

Throughout his nearly two-decade-long career in fintech, Mr. Tobey has won multiple industry awards and pioneered new solutions in online banking. He developed the first SEC-certified online platform in SimpliFi, which was named the Finovate Best-in-Show Winner in 2009 and Fast Company Most Innovative Financial Company in the World in 2010. Mr. Tobey sold SimpliFi to Q2 Digital Banking Solutions in 2012, where he led the retail, payments and platform product teams through the initial public offering in 2014. He created 35 percent year-over-year growth during his tenure.

Most recently, Mr. Tobey completed his second stint at NCR and continued to develop cutting-edge digital banking technology. “As the CEO of MDC, Tobey will bring his extensive experience as a leader in digital banking to the credit union industry,” the company said.

In his new role, Mr. Tobey will oversee all research and development operations and strategic decision-making for MDC. “I’m honored to have the confidence of the board of directors at MDC,” he said. “I am excited to bring my talents to the credit union space. I see a lot of opportunities for credit unions to grow their business using the right tools. I’m looking forward to working closely with our credit union owners to help them discover the tools, strategies and processes that will set them up for success.”

Members Development Company is a network of credit union industry leaders conducting R&D initiatives focused on delivering meaningful solutions. Combined, with its 80+ owners serve over 19.4 million members, hold $336 billion in assets, and maintain branch locations across the globe.

Customizable Service Approach

Mark Oppenheimer launched Modern Executive Solutions in 2021. He co-founded the new search outfit with his wife, Michelle Domanico, who serves as chief financial officer. Modern’s purpose, according to Mr. Oppenheimer – who serves as chief executive – is to improve “diverse representation within leadership teams.” The firm has spent months collecting, tracking, and analyzing feedback from hundreds of C-level executives before launching recently.

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Modern bills itself as “an innovative executive search and integrated advisory solutions firm,” underpinned with market intelligence and assessment capabilities – strong points of Mr. Oppenheimer’s while serving in various leadership capacities at Marlin Hawk over a 12-year career with the London-based recruitment provider. As he did with Marlin Hawk, Mr. Oppenheimer addresses client talent needs with a customizable service approach. “We are determined to set a new benchmark for the search industry,” he said.

Modern offers executive search, ‘nouvelle’ assessment – a proprietary methodology designed by the firm that delves into a leader’s personality, motivators, and leadership style to investigate cultural alignment, potential, and a leader’s ability to succeed in new organizations or more complex roles; talent pipelining; succession planning; and executive research.

Recently Appointed Chief Experience Officer

Modern recently added Dean Carter as its chief experience officer. “We are thrilled to announce that Dean is the new chief experience officer for Modern,” the search firm said. “At Modern we are building a business and a movement to redefine the future of leadership, a mission that Dean will be instrumental in designing.”

Mr. Carter is widely known as an innovative and industry-recognized leader of people and culture for over 20 years as a four-time CHRO across Fortune 50, rapid growth, and culture-driven organizations. Prior to Modern, he served in the role of chief people officer for Guild, Sears Holdings, Fossil. Inc., and Patagonia, where his 10-year chief administrator role spanned across people, culture, finance, and legal functions.

Mr. Carter launched his HR career through a variety of progressive leadership roles at Procter&Gamble, Pier 1 Imports, and Pearle Vision. He has served as a public company independent director and chair of both governance and comp committees for Cornerstone OnDemand and currently, an independent director for Griffith Foods, a high-growth Chicago-based privately held sustainable food company. He also serves on tech advisory boards for SemperViren VC, Wellist, and AirVet.

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Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media