Credit Union Professionals Move Up the Ranks

WEST

The $2.1 billion Numerica Credit Union in Kennewick, Wash., hired Sheryl Irwin as a loan officer for Numerica’s home loan center in Kennewick. Irwin has more than 20 years of experience in home loan servicing. Her most recent position was as sales manager for U.S. Bank in the Tri-Cities region. As a loan officer, Irwin helps members with all types of mortgage needs, including custom construction, conventional, FHA, first-time homebuyers, USDA and VA lending.

The $4.4 billion Redwood Credit Union based in Santa Rosa, Calif., hired one employee and promoted another.

Eric Maldonado was hired as business development manager. In his new role, Maldonado will oversee RCU’s team of business development officers. His responsibilities include development of business and community group services in all of the credit union’s local service areas with a focus on San Francisco, an area of anticipated growth for the credit union. Maldonado brings more than 10 years of credit union experience in public affairs, government relations and business development.

Mario Gutierrez was promoted to manager of its Napa branch at 1705 First St. In his new role, Gutierrez is responsible for overseeing member service, staff management and daily branch operations, as well as local community and business development efforts. Gutierrez started with RCU in 2015 as a senior member service representative, later becoming Napa’s assistant branch manager, and now branch manager. Prior to joining the credit union, he worked for West America Bank and before that, Wells Fargo.

The $1.9 billion Vantage West Credit Union in Tucson, Ariz., promoted Miguel (Mickey) Gomez from senior business banker to business relationship manager I. This aligns with the credit union’s direction to strengthen its business banking team and foster collaborative relationships with the local business community. In his new position, Gomez supports Vantage West’s existing business members, develops new relationships with local businesses, and helps them achieve growth and success as their financial partner.

EAST

The $7 billion Teachers Federal Credit Union in Hauppauge, N.Y., promoted Christopher J. Meyers to EVP/COO. Meyers succeeds Thomas Fallon who recently retired from Teachers FCU following 29 years as EVP/COO. Meyers joined the credit union in 1994 as vice president of accounting. In his new role, he is responsible for Financial, Information Systems/Technology, Enterprise Risk Management, Credit Operations and Human Resource/Training divisions of TFCU, as well as help to map the strategic vision for the growth of the credit union across New York State and beyond.

MIDWEST

Bill Schirmer, president/CEO of the $1.5 billion Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union in Indianapolis, Ind., was honored by the Indiana Credit Union League as its Professional Achievement Award winner for 2018. Schirmer is the first recipient from the credit union in the award’s 29-year history. Criteria for the ICUL Professional Achievement Award includes understanding and personifying the credit union philosophy of “people helping people.” Schirmer joined Evansville Teachers in April of 2012 after serving as vice president and CFO of Lake Michigan Credit Union in Grand Rapids, Mich.

The $648 million Community 1st Credit Union in Ottumwa, Iowa, promoted Mark Franke to COO. Franke has been in the banking/finance industry for more than 18 years, starting as a personal banker on the retail side, then as branch manager and investment banker. He moved to the commercial and agricultural department as a vice president/relationship manager before seven years in a market president role. Franke joined Community 1st in 2016 as vice president of real estate lending.

SOUTH

Following a successful 26-year career as president/CEO of the $586 million True Sky Credit Union in Oklahoma City, Okla., Steve Rasmussen announced his retirement, effective December 2018. The long-time financial leader has been in the credit union industry 40 years, working for several credit unions in Texas prior to going to Oklahoma City in 1992. Rasmussen transformed the organization from a single location, then known as the FAA Credit Union, to the seventh-largest credit union in Oklahoma.

CUSOS

CU*NorthWest, a 100% credit union-owned cooperative CUSO, promoted Kinsey Hiett from associate vice president to vice president. Hiett will be responsible for overseeing daily operations of CU*NorthWest’s Liberty Lake headquarters and managing many of the firm’s contract and remote resources. Prior to joining CU*NorthWest, Hiett worked in data center operations for another credit union core processing provider. She joined CU*NorthWest as a customer service representative in 2009. For nearly a decade, she has moved up through management positions.

AGENCIES

The Credit Union Commission of Texas selected John J. Kolhoff as the Texas Credit Union Commissioner, effective Dec. 3, 2018. Kolhoff replaces Harold E. Feeney, who is retiring at the end of December. Kolhoff is currently special deputy director with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, where he’s worked since 1994. As director of the Office of Credit Unions, Kolhoff is responsible for the safety and soundness supervision of 138 credit unions with approximately $50 billion in aggregate assets.

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