In the often-overlooked arena of cooperative finance, few leaders have inspired as enduring a legacy as Thomas (Tom) Lent. As President and CEO of Southland Credit Union in Orange County, California, Lent has spent nearly two decades coaching his team through remarkable growth and quietly championing the credit union movement. His planned retirement in 2026 will close a chapter defined not by personal accolades, but by humility, devotion to members, and the same teamwork ethic he admires in his favorite game—baseball.

Coaching Through Transformation

When Lent joined Southland in 2008, the credit union held $618 million in assets and served 48,000 members. By the end of his tenure, those numbers will have more than doubled: $1.3 billion in assets, 70,000 members, and a field of membership spanning all of Los Angeles and Orange counties. Under his leadership, the branch network expanded from eight to twelve locations, bolstered by strategic mergers with Harbor Federal Credit Union and Allied Healthcare Federal Credit Union.

Lent approached this transformation like a seasoned coach—steady under pressure, focused on fundamentals, and quick to credit the team. “Tom is a giant in our movement and has been a great mentor to me over the years,” says Geoff Bullock, CEO of Harborstone Credit Union. “When I call, he picks up and takes time.”

A Champion for People, Not Just Numbers

Lent’s leadership has always been rooted in service to people—members, employees, and community. He and his wife, Deanna, are deeply involved in local causes, from the Los Alamitos Education Foundation to The Youth Center of Los Alamitos. Beyond Southland’s walls, Lent has mentored a generation of rising credit union leaders across the country—many of whom will continue seeking his counsel long after he retires.

“Tom’s steady leadership and passion for the credit union movement have made a lasting impact,” notes Thomas Willingham, Southland’s board chair. “He’s built an exceptional culture and positioned Southland for continued success.”

Baseball Lessons for Cooperative Finance

Baseball remains a constant metaphor in Lent’s leadership style: the grind of a long season, the quiet victories that compound over time, the collective triumph of a well-coached team. “Leading a credit union,” Lent has often said, “is about playing for the team and celebrating every run you bring home for your members.” It is a philosophy that blends patience, discipline, and joy—a fitting ethos for cooperative finance.

Preparing the Next Lineup

Lent’s career parallels broader changes in the credit union industry: growth through consolidation, digital transformation, and the challenge of scaling without losing sight of mission. His success proves it can be done. As Southland’s board begins a search for his successor with McDermott + Bull, Lent’s greatest contribution may be the culture he leaves behind: a team prepared to keep playing—and winning—for its members.

As he reflects on his career, Lent remains characteristically humble. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve Southland and its Members,” he says. “I look toward retirement with pride in what we’ve accomplished and confidence in the future.”

In an industry that prizes quiet service over spotlight moments, Tom Lent leaves the field not just as a seasoned coach, but as one of the credit union movement’s enduring champions.