CUProdigy, PenFed, Redwood CU Hire & Honor Professionals
Eight credit unions and one CUSO hire, promote and recognize team members this week.
WEST
The $4.4 billion Redwood Credit Union in Santa Rosa, Calif., announced Jose Alvarez, Sonoma branch manager, was honored with a Latino Business Leadership Award by the North Bay Business Journal at an event at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek in Santa Rosa on Oct. 30. Presented to 13 honorees, the North Bay Business Journal’s Latino Business Leadership Awards recognize outstanding Latino leaders in the North Bay Area. Alvarez was recognized for helping the community, especially members of the Hispanic community, thrive by offering financial literacy workshops that help people understand their savings and credit options, and gain confidence in using them.
The $2.2 billion Numerica Credit Union in Spokane Valley, Wash., hired Susan Larson as a financial advisor registered through CUSO Financial Services, L.P. for Numerica Financial Services in the Tri-Cities market. Larson has seven years of experience in financial, retirement and estate strategies. Prior to joining Numerica, Larson worked for New York Life Insurance Company.
The $1.9 billion Vantage West Credit Union in Tucson, Ariz., promoted Mercedes Eppley to business banker. In her new position, Eppley is responsible for providing expert knowledge and advice to help business members plan, start and expand their business with customized financing solutions. She is dedicated to help them achieve financial success by carefully assessing their business banking and lending needs, offering professional advice, and delivering the best commercial package to fit their unique situation. Mercedes’ extensive background in customer service spans over eight years, with more than five years at Vantage West.
The $2.3 billion Canvas Credit Union in Lone Tree, Colo., announced Andrew Martin, mortgage sales manager, was one of only 21 credit union professionals selected to take part in the distinguished Filene Research Institute’s i3 (Ideas, Innovation, Implementation) Program. Tasked with the legacy of developing new innovative solutions for credit unions, the 21 selected credit union leaders kick off their two-year i3 Program at Filene’s annual big.bright.minds. event in San Diego, Calif., in December 2018. Martin has been a part of the Canvas family for more than two years and in the credit union industry for eight years helping Coloradans secure home ownership possibilities.
MIDWEST
The Veridian Group, a CUSO of the $4 billion Veridian Credit Union in Waterloo, Iowa, promoted Amy Milano to training specialist for Veridian Fiscal Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Veridian Group. Milano, a resident of Waterloo, has worked at Veridian for nine years. She was previously a payment specialist for Veridian Fiscal Solutions. Milano is pursuing a human resource management degree and volunteers at Candeo Church.
SOUTH
The $2.6 billion Keesler Federal Credit Union in Biloxi, Miss., promoted Jim Estrada to vice president of business services. He will oversee and manage the commercial and business services unit. Estrada will be responsible for strategic planning, business member sales and service, staff development, operational efficiency, portfolio growth, profitability and asset quality. He previously served Keesler Federal in the role of director of business services. Estrada has worked at Keesler Federal for five years and in the banking industry on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since 1988.
The $24 billion Pentagon Federal Credit Union in Tysons Corner, Va., hired Ashish Mahajan as its first SVP of enterprise data. Mahajan will be responsible for developing enterprise data management functions including data strategy, governance and futuristic capabilities for analytics and business intelligence. Mahajan’s work will form the data foundation for the provision of high-quality data and establish the build of capabilities for deep analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence.
The $208 million University Credit Union in Miami, Fla., named Andres Llanos vice president, controller. Llanos previously served as the director of accounting/controller at the $1.6 billion Kern Schools Federal Credit Union in Bakersfield, Calif., where he was responsible for managing the accounting functions, including processing end-of-month and quarterly transactions. With more than 13 years of accounting experience in the credit union industry, Llanos will help University CU continue to provide the best possible financial services to its members.
CUSOS
CUProdigy, a technology-focused CUSO, selected Bret Weekes to serve as president/CEO. Prior to joining CUProdigy, Weekes was president/CEO of eDOC Innovations, a Middlebury, Vt.-based CUSO that provides digital transaction management and related technology, where he has spent the last 20 years. He began his career in leadership at a core data processor, spending nearly a decade there before joining eDOC. Weekes will return to his native state of Utah after leaving 13 years ago to establish eDOC’s Vermont office.
Please send your People news items to Tahira Hayes at thayes@cutimes.com.