Cooperative CUSO Xtend announced that Stuart Kuzik will serve as the organization’s new CEO, effective October 6, 2025. Kuzik, who currently serves as CEO of fellow CUSO CU*NorthWest, brings diverse experience to the shared services provider. “Xtend has a long history of serving the credit union community and I’m excited to work with the knowledgeable team, the CUSO’s partners, as well as its great ownership community,” said Kuzik. “Credit unions are vital to their communities, and shared service providers like Xtend play a key role in ensuring those credit unions can apply their resources towards what matters most: their members.”

“We are excited to welcome Stuart to Xtend,” said Board Chair Chuck Papenfus, CEO of Inland Valley Credit Union (Fontana, CA). “This is more than just a leadership transition, it’s a demonstration of how collaboration within the cuasterisk.com network creates tangible value for our credit union owners. Stuart’s experience and vision will be a tremendous addition to our mission of serving credit unions.”

Kuzik will continue to fulfill his current role as strategic leader of the Spokane-based CU*NorthWest CUSO while the Xtend Board of Directors and the CU*NorthWest Board consider a potential management contract arrangement as part of their ongoing collaboration. As member organizations of the cuasterisk.com network, both boards see this as a strategic opportunity to improve operational efficiencies, while continuing to preserve each organization’s unique culture, identity and strengths.

Prior to joining CU*NorthWest, Kuzik served as Chief Credit Officer of Bluff View Bank, responsible for all lending activities of the Western Wisconsin community bank. He also serves as a Principal Consultant for New Path Ventures, LLC, an investment firm targeting businesses and commercial real estate development.

In addition to his work in the financial industry, Kuzik served as Director of Business & Community Engagement for the Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority, revamping the state agency’s $20 million loan guarantee program and related loan policies. Stuart spent his 20+ year career building from a part time teller, to commercial banker, to an executive. He has worked for two state cabinet secretaries focusing on economic development, and started several businesses, including his own private equity and business consulting firm.

Kuzik received a BS Degree in Criminal Justice & Social Welfare from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Certificate of Leading in an Era of Complexity from the University of Notre Dame, and an Executive Master of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.