Baxter Credit Union announced Monday the death of founding President and CEO A. Rex Johnson.
Johnson died Friday surrounded by family. He was 77.
He was known as a charismatic leader who inspired BCU employees to live the people helping people purpose of the Vernon Hills-based credit union, according to a company statement.
Johnson began work in 1980 to start a credit union for Baxter International employees and their families, as well as lead the merger between American Hospital Supply and Travenol Employees Credit Union. The resulting Baxter Credit Union was chartered in 1981.
Under his leadership, BCU became the fastest-growing credit union in Illinois, reaching $300 million and 72,000 members in just over a decade. Johnson then founded Lending Solutions Inc. in 1994.