Credit unions in all regions of the country announced new hires, promotions and appointments, while a trade group in the Midwest recognized the contributions of a retiring CEO to advance the movement.

EAST

Kimberly M. Mandola, shown at left, joined the $426 million MIT Federal Credit Union in Cambridge, Mass. as its vice president of member services. She was previously employed at Santander Bank as its district executive, vice president. She also worked at Capital One Bank, JP Morgan Chase and Prudential Securities.

The $388 million People's Credit Union in Middletown, R.I. promoted Peter Murray to business and residential lending manager from his previous position as a business loan officer. He joined the credit union in 2010.

The $269 million First New York Federal Credit Union in Albany, N.Y., hired Heather Parent as its new support services supervisor and Nicholas Zarrelli as a management trainee. Previously, Parent was the operations supervisor for the $75 million Community Resource Federal Credit Union and worked as a members' service supervisor, a member service representative and VISA coordinator at the Latham, N.Y.-based cooperative.  Zarrelli previously worked at Citizens Bank.

MIDWEST

Frank M. Padak, shown at left, president/CEO of the $1 billion Scott Credit Union in Edwardsville, Ill., was elected to serve a two-year term as the chair of the Armed Forces Financial Network. AFFN provides the U.S. military community with access to their money through ATM and POS terminals located at or near military bases worldwide. Padak has served on the AFFN board since 2009. He also has served on the Defense Credit Union Council board of directors since 2005.

Dorrie LoBue was appointed manager of card services for the $467 million Heritage Federal Credit Union in Newburgh Ind. With 13 years of banking experience, she previously served as director for the Indiana Economic Development Corp.

The $2.6 billion Veridian Credit Union said it promoted Kimberly Eastland was promoted to the position of commercial lender. She joined the Waterloo, Iowa-based credit union 14 years ago and previously worked as a senior loan officer. Veridian CU also said it hired Kristin Clark as a web developer. She was previously employed at Real Estate Research Corporation as a web developer. 

The $1.4 billion Indiana Members Credit Union in Indianapolis said Jay Puckett an IMCU branch manager, received the 2014 Leader of the Year award at the Leadership Hendricks County Annual Reunion and Meeting in January. He was selected for the award based on his ability to lead by example, be a leader that brings out the best in others and to excel in collaboration and facilitation.

SOUTH

Alvin J. Cowans, shown at left, president/CEO of the $478 million McCoy Federal Credit Union in Orlando was elected to the Federal Reserve Atlanta, Community Depository Institute Advisory Council. The council was formed from the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, where each Federal Reserve District established a CDIAC to systematically include the views of community depository institutions in the policymaking process.

Tina Narron, vice president of member consumer lending for the $1.6 billion GTE Financial Credit Union in Tampa, Fla., was named a finalist in the Be More Involved category of the Tampa-based WEDU-PBS TV awards program. She was nominated for her involvement with Wheels of Success, a local nonprofit that provides reliable transportation solutions to families and individuals.

Gary Vien, chief administrative officer for the $5.9 billion Suncoast Credit Union in Tampa was elected to the Credit Union Legislative Action Council's executive committee. He served as Florida's CULAC Trustee for the previous two years. The trustees serve as the liaison between their state league and CULAC. A trustee's goal is to increase credit union involvement in CULAC and political activities.

Randy Turpin was promoted to vice president at the $443 million 121 Financial Credit Union in Jacksonville, Fla. He previously served as director of branch operations for the cooperative.

WEST

The $304 million Meridian Trust Federal Credit Union in Cheyenne, Wyo. appointed Jeanne Stapleton to the position of vice president/branch manager. With more than 22 years of financial services experience, she joined Meridian Trust CU two years ago.

June Gardner, an operations systems manager for the $5.7 billion Alaska USA Federal Credit Union in Anchorage, Alaska, was named one of state's top forty under 40 by the Alaska Journal of Commerce.  The Top Forty Under 40 is a list of the best and brightest professionals in the Last Frontier State. All of this year's Top Forty Under 40 winners will be honored April 3 at the Dena'ina Civic & Convention Center in Anchorage. TRADES

Patrick McPharlin, outgoing president/CEO of the $2.7 billion Michigan State University Federal Credit Union in East Lansing was recognized for his contributions to Michigan credit unions at a meeting of the Michigan Credit Union League's Capital Area Chapter. McPharlin officially handed the CEO/president title to April Clobes in January. His retirement date is March 17. During 14 years running the credit union, MSUFCU grew from $546 million in assets to $2.8 billion and doubled membership to 195,000. McPharlin won the Michigan league's Distinguished Service Award in 2009.