1st United CU, Hickam FCU Appoint Executives

This past week, seven credit unions across the nation appointed executives, hired for new positions and promoted employees. Plus, marketing agency OmniChannel Communications welcomed new talent.

WEST

The $1 billion 1st United Credit Union in Pleasanton, Calif., named Scott Bolster CFO. Bolster replaced Steve Stone, who assumed the responsibilities of president/CEO on April 2, 2018. Bolster brings 15 years of executive credit union management to the position. Bolster also serves as a delegate to the California Credit Union League and is on the board of the CUSO CU Data Processing.

The $588 million Hickam Federal Credit Union in Honolulu, Hawaii, appointed Scott Kaulukukui as president/CEO. Kaulukukui comes to Hickam from the $1.7 billion, Honolulu-based HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union, where he served on the executive management team for 20 years. He brings with him a broad range of credit union experiences in such areas as strategic planning, operations management, marketing and branding, public relations, finance, business development and membership growth. Kaulukukui succeeds Gerard Auyong, who is retiring after 36 years with Hickam, the last 30 years as president/CEO.

The Pasadena, Calif.-based $3.8 billion Wescom Credit Union promoted Maggie Pacheco to vice president, real estate lending. Pacheco will be overseeing loan sales and origination, processing, underwriting, closing, funding, secondary marketing and business development. She has more than 25 years of real estate lending experience with lenders such as Century Bank and Wescom.

The $275 million Cabrillo Credit Union in San Diego, Calif., hired two employees.

Dan Kitchen was hired as chief lending officer. Kitchen has more than 20 years of experience in the credit union industry. He brings broad experience to this role including consumer, mortgage and business lending, and collections. His primary goal is to execute on the related lending functions in the credit union’s strategic plan, which includes growth in the real estate, auto and unsecured portfolios.

Mitch Linagen was hired as lending manager. Linagen is responsible for managing the underwriting and disbursement of direct and indirect loans. He is a seasoned financial services professional with more than 25 years of lending, operations and project management experience, in both large and small, corporate Fortune 500 settings.

EAST

The $3.1 billion Affinity Federal Credit Union in Basking Ridge, N.J., announced three new mortgage loan officers.

Cheri Krusen was hired as a mortgage loan officer and brings 17 years of experience in banking, lending and management to the position. As Affinity continues to grow its presence in New York State, she will be working out of the Stony Point branch, where she will offer members her rich knowledge and insight to help them achieve their personal and financial homeownership goals.

Arthur Reinertsen was hired as a mortgage loan officer and joined the team to assist community members through every step in their home buying process. Reinertsen has more than 11 years of experience working at Affinity.

Barry Gerst was hired as a mortgage loan officer and has an extensive background in financial services and consulting. Gerst will guide credit union members through the home mortgage process.

The $996 million St. Mary’s Bank in Manchester, N.H, hired Monique Harrington as assistant vice president, wealth management to the St. Mary’s Financial Services program. Harrington brings more than 17 years of industry experience and a passion for building relationships, both with colleagues and members. As a financial advisor, Harrington will build relationships with St. Mary’s Bank members. Before joining St. Mary’s Financial Services, Harrington most recently served as a financial consultant at Citizens Securities, Inc.

MIDWEST

The $6 billion Lake Michigan Credit Union in Grand Rapids, Mich., hired Jeff Marsack as a mortgage loan originator for its Shelby Township, Mich., branch. Marsack attended the Detroit College of Business and has since amassed 25 years of loan origination experience in the Detroit metro area.

VENDORS

OmniChannel Communications, a full-service marketing agency serving fintechs and other financial institution service providers, announced three new appointments to its team.

Sarah Snell Cooke was named account executive. Cooke, principal at Cooke Consulting Solutions, is a communications and business development expert with nearly 20 years in the credit union community. Prior to launching her business, Cooke served as publisher and editor-in-chief at CU Times.

Kelsie Millar was also named account executive. Millar brings more than five years of fintech experience to the position including customer service, sales and marketing. She most recently worked at Wells Fargo, helping the bank revitalize its brand in the San Diego market.

Myriam DiGiovanni was named content manager. DiGiovanni has more than 25 years of experience writing for the financial services industry, including positions at CU Times and The Financial Brand. She also served as director of social media at CU Times’ parent company, ALM Media, and was social media manager at The Financial Brand.

Please send your People news items to Tahira Hayes at thayes@cutimes.com.