In the US, Family First CEO leaves position after Lake America post — CNBC

In the United States, Family First credit union CEO Jane Smith no longer works for the company. This happened several days after she posted a family photo on Facebook showing her family in sweatshirts bearing the words Lake America. CNBC reports.

Leadership change

A statement published on Family First’s website on Wednesday said that Smith no longer works for the company, effective immediately. Chief Operating Officer Jason Acosta became interim CEO. The statement was signed by Family First Credit Union board chair Maurice Patterson and Acosta.

Family First did not specify whether the reaction to the post was the reason for Smith’s departure. On Thursday, the credit union apologized to members and the community for the concern, disappointment and pain caused by the situation. Family First is based in Michigan, which borders Canada.

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The photo and reaction

On September 11, Smith posted on Facebook a photo of her family in Lake America sweatshirts that was allegedly edited using artificial intelligence. In the caption, she wrote that she was not sure whether Canada would like the sweatshirts. As CBC News reported, the post was later deleted.

In an interview with ABC12 News on September 17, Smith said the image contained a label indicating the use of AI, but her sister later reposted the photo without such labeling. According to Smith, the family was not trying to make a political statement but was joking about the renaming of one of the Great Lakes.

In August, US President Donald Trump announced the renaming of Lake Ontario, on the US-Canada border, to Lake America. This prompted considerable criticism in Canada, including from Prime Minister Mark Carney. US Congressman Timothy Kennedy also introduced a bill intended to block the renaming and prohibit any future changes to the names of any of the five Great Lakes.