Forrit Credit Union names veteran executive Aaron Goff as new CEO.
The Oregon credit union turns to a longtime industry leader as it looks to move beyond a leadership transition and a difficult financial year.
Forrit Credit Union has appointed veteran credit union executive Aaron Goff as its new president and chief executive officer, bringing in a leader with more than three decades of industry experience as the small Oregon institution seeks to chart its next chapter.
The Clackamas-based credit union announced that Goff’s appointment became effective June 1, ending a leadership search that began after former CEO Justin Olson stepped down in October 2025.
Forrit, which has approximately $84.2 million in assets and 4,500 members, reported a loss of $1.8 million in 2025. The credit union’s board said it selected Goff following what it described as a comprehensive search and selection process.
“Throughout his career, he has led organizations through growth, transformation, and strategic change while maintaining a strong focus on culture, community impact, and member service,” Board Chair Lorene Bay said in a statement announcing the appointment.
Bay also thanked Wendy Russell, the credit union’s director of finance, who served as interim CEO during the transition period.
Russell was appointed interim chief executive in October after Olson announced he would leave the organization following five years as CEO. At the time, the board emphasized that the leadership change would not affect members’ day-to-day experience and said Russell’s background in finance, risk management and internal controls would help guide the institution through the transition.
Goff arrives at Forrit after departing Embold Credit Union, another Oregon-based institution, in 2025.
Goff joined Embold as president and CEO in 2018 and led the organization through several initiatives, including a rebranding effort. The $596 million-asset credit union, formerly known as Clackamas Federal Credit Union, adopted the Embold name in February 2023.
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News of his departure from Embold surfaced in April 2025 when an email sent to Goff was returned with a message indicating he was no longer with the Milwaukie-based credit union. The message directed inquiries to interim CEO Rani Khouri, Embold’s chief financial officer.
Goff later confirmed that he was no longer with Embold but declined to provide additional details. Messages seeking comment from Khouri were not returned at the time, and Embold’s website did not reference the leadership change.
Embold in January appointed Khouri as chief executive following his tenure as interim CEO.
Before joining Embold, Goff served as chief executive of Public Safety Credit Union in Kansas City.
According to Forrit’s announcement, Goff has spent 17 years as a credit union CEO and has been active in community organizations, including serving on the boards of Albertina Kerr, Special Olympics and the Clackamas Community College Foundation.
The appointment comes as smaller credit unions continue to navigate a challenging operating environment marked by rising technology costs, regulatory demands and growing competition for deposits and loans. While Forrit’s board did not outline specific strategic priorities for its new chief executive, it said the credit union remains focused on growth and serving members.
“The board is confident in his ability to lead Forrit Credit Union through its next phase of growth,” Bay said.
Forrit’s leadership change closes an eight-month succession process and places the credit union under the direction of an executive whose career has largely been spent leading community-focused financial institutions across the credit union sector.
“Throughout his career, [Goff] has led organizations through growth, transformation, and strategic change while maintaining a strong focus on culture, community impact, and member service.”
– Lorene Bay
Board Chair
Forrit Credit Union
Ken McCarthy is manager of marketing communications at Tyfone, where he monitors the credit union industry and contributes to conversations shaping its future. He previously covered credit unions and community banking for American Banker and S&P Global Market Intelligence. He holds a journalism degree from Point Park University and has more than 15 years of experience covering financial services. He is also the author of three literary fiction novels.
