MIDWEST

Amber Swain joined the $434 million Kellogg Community Federal Credit Union as its human resource manager. She holds more than seven years of experience in human resources.  The Battle Creek, Mich.-based cooperatives also announced the promotion of four employees, Lisa Ardrey, Christina Blankenship, Cheri Powers and Melodi Schwarz, to branch manager positions.  Ardrey  started her career with KCFCU in 2007 as a teller and served as a member service representative, branch service representative, and assistant branch manager. Blankenship hold more than twelve years of experience in the service industry. She joined the credit union four years ago as a teller and worked as a member service representative and assistant branch manager. Powers holds more than 10 years of credit union experience and worked as a teller, branch service representative and assistant branch manager. With 15 years of member service experience, Schwarz worked in various industries and joined KCFCU five years ago. She worked as a lead teller and an assistant branch manager.

The $2.6 billion Veridian Credit Union in Waterloo, Iowa promoted Kristin Melhus to the position of production traffic administrator. She joined Veridian 10 years ago and most recently served as the assistant to the president and an indirect loan officer.

Nithida Somsanith was appointed to the position of products marketing manager at the $1.8 billion United Federal Credit Union in St. Joseph, Mich. Somsanith served previously a business products specialist with UFCU and previously worked in management, consulting, marketing and business development positions with The Pure Pantry, Kiran Analytics, Charter One Bank and Chase.

SOUTH

Ashley Fiore was appointed to vice president of accounting at the $680 million Member One Federal Credit Union in Roanoke, Va. She has worked in the accounting field for 13 years and was most recently employed as a controller at Valley Bank in Roanoke.

The $119 million River City Federal Credit Union in San Antonio named Dominique-Michele LLanas to the position of vice president branch operations.  She most recently held the position of assistant vice president of branch operations at the $359 million Air Force Federal Credit Union also in San Antonio where she worked for 15 years.

The $1.9 billion Robins Credit Union in Warner Robins, Ga., announced that Clay Nodes, a facilities department manager was named 2014 manager of the year and Donna Ray, a senior member service representative was named 2014 employee of the year. Nodes was instrumental in planning, organizing and implementing projects without interruptions for members and staff. Ray, who exceeded her goals last year, was selected based on her wealth of product knowledge, leadership, and professionalism.

WEST

Manuel Hochheimer was promoted to assistant vice president of business development for the $1.4 billion Numerica Credit Union. He holds 15 years of experience in the financial industry and has been employed by Numerica since 2012. Prior to his promotion, he served as director of corporate business development.  The Spokane Valley, Wash-based cooperative also said Elizabeth Giles was hired as its  media relations liaison. With more than 11 years of experience in marketing and communications, she most recently served as a marketing and communications officer at Inland Northwest Blood Center.

The $552 million Solarity Credit Union in Yakima, Wash., hired Gene DeLuca as its new vice president of mortgage lending. DeLuca holds more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. 

Prior to joining Solarity, DeLuca spent six years as the lending manager and first vice president for JP Morgan Chase. He also worked for 25 years in various strategic leadership roles at Washington Mutual.

TRADES

The Georgia Credit Union League announced this year's winners of two of its most prestigious annual awards. Marshall Boutwell, president CEO of the $261 million Peach State Federal Credit Union in Lawrenceville, Ga., is the recipient of the Moses C. Davis Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is reserved for a Georgia credit union leader who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to the credit union movement over his or her career. Diana Houston, senior vice president of business development at Georgia Credit Union Affiliates is the winner of the Eloise Woods Distinguished Service Award. The Eloise Woods Distinguished Service Award honors an individual who has worked to advance cooperative finance for the benefit of Georgia citizens. 

VENDORS

LPL Financial LLC in San Diego named Dan Arnold its new president effective March 13. Arnold will replace Robert Moore, outgoing president of LPL, who accepted the position of CEO of Legal & General Investment Management America. Prior to serving as CFO for LPL, Arnold worked as managing director, head of strategy for the firm. Previously, Arnold served as divisional president of LPL's Institution Services business. In addition, LPL also announced that it promoted Andy Kalbaugh and Bill Morrissey to the positions of divisional presidents for Institution Services and Independent Advisor Services, respectively.

Timothy Marsh was hired by PROFIT INSIGHT in Mooresville, N.C. as its managing director of business development. A former senior vice president of global account sales for GE Capital/GE Money, he is based in Florida. He also previously worked with major retailers, manufacturers and was a team leader that developed PayPal's initial foray into consumer credit.

CU Recovery Inc. and the Loan Service Center Inc. in Wyoming, Minn., named Tyler Wier as its business development representative.