Navy Federal Credit Union revealed that Dietrich Kuhlmann will assume the role of president and chief executive officer on March 1, 2024. He will succeed outgoing CEO Mary McDuffie, who announced her retirement in September of the previous year. Kuhlmann, a retired rear admiral from the United States Navy, joined Navy Federal in 2019 and has served as the credit union’s chief operating officer for the past two years.
“Following Mary McDuffie’s retirement announcement last September, the Board conducted an extensive search to identify the best leader for our credit union,” stated Ed Cochrane, chairman of the Board of Directors at Navy Federal. “Dietrich’s unwavering commitment to his country and his fellow service members throughout his distinguished career make him the ideal candidate to lead this institution. We are confident that he will continue to provide exceptional service to our members in the years ahead.”
During his tenure as chief operating officer, Kuhlmann has overseen operations across Navy Federal’s campuses in Pensacola, Fla., Winchester, Va., and San Diego, Calif. He has been instrumental in promoting the credit union’s corporate vision, culture, and employee engagement to ensure the highest standards of service to its members worldwide.
McDuffie, who has been with Navy Federal for 24 years and served as its CEO since 2018, expressed confidence in Kuhlmann’s leadership. “Dietrich’s integrity, sense of duty, and understanding of our members’ needs make him the ideal choice to lead Navy Federal into the future,” she remarked.
Kuhlmann, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy class of 1983, holds a Master of Science in engineering management from Catholic University. Throughout his 35-year career in the Navy and the U.S. Department of Defense, he specialized in financial management as a career submariner.
“I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead Navy Federal Credit Union,” said Kuhlmann. “This role presents an incredible chance to continue serving our military community, and I am excited to build upon the progress made under Mary’s leadership.”
Navy Federal Credit Union, established in 1933 with just seven members, now serves over 13 million members globally, making it the world’s largest credit union. Committed to prioritizing the financial needs of its members, Navy Federal is a member-owned and not-for-profit organization. Membership is open to all Department of Defense and Coast Guard Active Duty, Veterans, civilian and contractor personnel, and their families. The credit union employs a workforce of 24,000 and operates a global network of more than 350 branches. For further information about Navy Federal Credit Union, visit navyfederal.org.
