Family First CEO leaves after ‘Lake America’ sweatshirt controversy
publishers 8articles 10first reported 25 Sep, 02:16 UTCdeveloping since 25 Sep · 5 editions
Jane Smith is no longer CEO of Michigan-based Family First Credit Union following controversy over an allegedly AI-edited family photo showing relatives in “Lake America” sweatshirts.
The credit union announced Wednesday that Smith had left effective immediately and named chief operating officer Jason Acosta interim CEO. It did not say whether the social media post prompted her departure, but later apologized for the “concern, disappointment and pain” the situation caused members and the community. Family First had previously said it “unequivocally disapproves and rejects” the post’s content.
Smith posted the image on Facebook on Sept. 11 with the caption, “Like our sweatshirts? Not sure Canada will. Lol lol.” The post was later deleted, CBC News reported.
In a Sept. 17 interview with Michigan station ABC12 News, Smith said the original image carried an AI marker but was subsequently reposted by her sister without it. She said the family was not trying to make a political statement and was instead poking fun at the renaming of one of the Great Lakes.
The dispute followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration renaming Lake Ontario, on the U.S.-Canada border, as “Lake America,” a move that drew criticism in Canada. Democratic U.S. Rep. Timothy Kennedy of New York has introduced legislation intended to block the change and prevent future renaming of any of the five Great Lakes.
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