The $281 million University Credit Union in Orono, Maine was named among the 2017 Best Places to Work in Maine in the medium-size employer category. Best Places to Work in Maine was created in 2006 by the Society for Human Resource Management Maine State Council and Best Companies Group to recognize those large, medium and small employers that have created environments where people love to work.

Mark S. Cochran, president/CEO of the $1.2 billion Jeanne D'Arc Credit Union in Lowell, Mass., was named one of Banker & Tradesman's 2017 Credit Union Heroes. The award recognizes individuals in the credit union industry who dedicate their time and energy to help others within the local community and extend their support to various charities and organizations. Cochran has inspired Jeanne D'Arc employees to serve on various boards and volunteer 8,000 hours of their own time each year.

MIDWEST

The $3.3 billion Veridian Credit Union in Waterloo, Iowa promoted Missy Neebel to branch manager of its Cedar Heights location. Neebel, a Waterloo native, has worked at Veridian for 20 years. She was previously the branch manager of Veridian's location in Independence. Neebel has a bachelor's degree in business management from Upper Iowa University.

SOUTH

The $348 million Partner Colorado Credit Union in Arvada, Colo., hired Douglas Fagan as CFO. Fagan comes to the credit union with more than 30 years of experience in the credit union industry, having worked with institutions ranging from $150 million to $2.6 billion in assets. He most recently served as president of finance at the now $2.5 billion MIDFLORIDA Credit Union in Lakeland, Fla.

The $2.2 billion Truliant Federal Credit Union in Winston-Salem, N.C., named Sasha Sullivan as work relationship and development manager. Truliant at Work is a complimentary program to help workplaces get the most from credit union membership. In her role, Sullivan will serve as the primary business-to-business relationship representative in Truliant's key markets and will conduct outreach to Truliant at Work's business partners. As manager, she is responsible for negotiating access to existing business partners, development of marketing plans and related strategies, and ongoing cultivation of business partner relationships.

The Georgia Credit Union Affiliates recognized the $2.3 billion Robins Financial Credit Union in Warner Robins, Ga., with the Desjardins Youth Financial Education Award. The Desjardins program was created to recognize leadership within the credit union movement on behalf of financial literacy for all ages. The credit union won this youth education award in the $1 billion and above category for providing the It's A Money Thing program in high school and college classrooms covering topics from basic budgeting to auto and home purchases, managing student loans and understanding credit.

The $996 million Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union in Kingston, N.Y., recognized Amanda Costa with the Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union Chairman's Award for TALENT. TALENT is an acronym that represents the winning attributes of top performance, availability, leadership, energy, new vision and teamwork. The award encourages employees to go above and beyond, and acknowledge employees' dedication and commitment to MHV. Costa began her career with MHV four years ago as a personal teller representative and has since progressed to a training specialist.

VENDORS

Filene Research Institute named Joel Hartzler senior stewardship and development director. In this role, Hartzler will lead growth and engagement strategies for Filene's diverse portfolio of member relationships to support the long-term goal of changing people's lives through ideas, truth and cooperation. Prior to joining Filene, Hartzler served as vice president for Baker Hill.