HAR-CO Maryland Federal Credit Union, Bel Air, Md., announced two new hires. Sarah Benson was hired as vice president/service and sales director. Benson will manage HAR-CO's three branches and the call center. Benson has more than 14 years of experience with a major area customer service firm. Erin Bender was hired as Bel Air branch manager. Bender comes to HAR-CO from an accelerated five year career in retail service and sales.

Firstmark Credit Union, San Antonio, announced that Gregg Thorne was hired as senior vice president, chief lending office. Thorne has 20 years of sales experience and service as vice president of sales and marketing at Clarke American in San Antonio. Most recently, Thorne served as vice president, mortgage banking executive for direct lending for Wachovia Mortgage FSB.

MIDWEST

Illinois Credit Union League, Naperville, Ill., announced the hiring of Brad Bergmooser as compliance analyst in the office of general counsel. Bergmooser will assume direct responsibility for preparing analytical reports that will be distributed to the league's member credit unions. Previously, Bergmooser served as legislative counsel for Michigan State Senator Randy Ricahrdville (R-17, Monroe). In that role, Bergmooser functioned as a key decision maker on numerous policy directives and aided in the drafting of several vital legislative packages.

Hawthorne Credit Union, Naperville, Ill., announced the hiring of Christine Roehrig as senior mortgage loan officer at its Naperville branch. Roehrig has more than 15 years of experience in mortgage banking. Roehrig co-owned and acted as president of VIP Mortgage Group in Elgin. Roehrig will initiate different types of mortgage solutions and develop and manage new and existing client relationships.

Collins Community Credit Union, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, announced the appointment of Melissa Tjebkes as the assistance vice president/branch manger of the North Liberty branch. The branch is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in December 2008. Tjebkes has over 20 years of experience at financial institutions, including eight years in the credit union industry. Tjebkes will oversee daily branch operations and a staff of 11 employees.

WEST

Kinecta Federal Credit Union, Manhattan Beach, Calif., announced that David Kratovil has joined the credit union as finance director. Kratovil will manage modeling of net interest income, capital position, interest rate risk profile and revenue analysis and planning. Previously, Kratovil was vice president, financial planning for Wells Fargo & Co. in San Francisco. Prior to that, Kratovil was director, corporate financial planning for ACC Capital Holdings in Orange, Calif.

Altura Credit Union, Riverside, Calif., announced that Hugo Silva has been appointed senior vice president and chief financial officer. Silva is a member of the Credit Union Executives Society and has more than a decade of finance and accounting experience in the transportation, manufacturing and financial services industries. Silva joined Altura in January 2008 as vice president and controller. Prior to coming to Altura, Silva was vice president and controller for BBVA Bancomer, a Spanish bank with $430 million in assets.

Kitsap Credit Union, Bremerton, Wash., announced the hiring of Jay Bell as information technology manager. Bell will ensure the efficient operation of the information technology department. Bell has held various IT positions in his 10-year career in information technology.