6 Credit Unions, CUProdigy Announce Hires & Promotions

WEST

The $5.5 billion Ent Credit Union in Colorado Springs, Colo., promoted Pamela Kastrava to service area manager. In her new role as one of Ent’s five area managers, she will oversee operations at six service centers including Ent’s Bon, Centennial, Flintridge, Mountain Bell, Peterson and Schriever locations. Kastrava has more than 19 years of experience at Ent, serving in roles of increasing responsibility.

EAST

The $2.4 billion Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union in Lowell, Mass., hired Joseph M. Princi II as SVP and CFO. Princi joins Jeanne D’Arc with nearly 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has extensive direct banking experience, working for large international banking institutions, mid-tier banks and community banking institutions. Prior to joining the credit union, he worked as the director of the USA for Mirai Advisory, a boutique consulting company based in Europe.

The $152 million Homefield Credit Union in North Grafton, Mass., promoted Kathy Fitzgibbon to assistant vice president, administration and marketing. In her new role, Fitzgibbon will be responsible for the coordination of marketing activities, working closely with the credit union’s marketing firm. She will continue to serve as the principal liaison for the board of directors in support of the president/CEO and the chair of the board.

The $1.1. billion Suffolk Federal Credit Union in Suffolk, N.Y., promoted Richard Klefsky to SVP of retail banking located at the Medford branch. In this position, Klefsky oversees all aspects of operations, member services, employee performance, product research and strategic development for retail banking. Klefsky also oversees all facilities. He joined Suffolk Federal in 2004 as regional director of branches and the call center.

The $2.3 billion Pawtucket Credit Union in Pawtucket, R.I., hired one employee and promoted another.

Carrie Abatiello was hired as SVP/compliance officer. She serves as the primary compliance resource for state and federal regulatory agencies, auditors and legal counsel. She also serves as the credit union’s bank secrecy act officer, coordinates and monitors compliance efforts, and works with credit union staff in the development and implementation of appropriate internal controls, policies, procedures and practices.

Heather Thurber was promoted to assistant vice president, human resources. Her overall responsibilities include acting as the plan administrator of the credit union’s 401(k), and overseeing benefits, payroll administration and employee relations. She has been with the credit union for more than 15 years. Thurber has a bachelor’s of science degree in business management with a concentration in human resources management from Rhode Island College.

MIDWEST

The $2.4 billion Royal Credit Union in Eau Claire, Wis., named Shawn Dachel branch manager at the Moholt office. He will be responsible for ensuring the branch meets financial, operational and growth goals, and overseeing daily actions. Dachel comes to Royal with nearly eight years of experience in the financial industry.

CUSOS

CUProdigy announced three new hires and three promotions.

Amber Harsin was promoted to EVP of market engagement, a newly-created position. She has 16 years of experience in the credit union industry and has worked at CUProdigy for five years. Harsin will oversee engagement with new and existing clients, network partners, and peer group technology firms to identify market needs and trends. She will also serve as an ambassador for the cooperative business model and an expert in credit union core software technology and practices.

Amanda Garabedian was promoted to assistant vice president of conversion services, a newly-created position. She has 10 years of credit union experience and for the last four years, has led CUProdigy’s conversions and other technology projects for new and existing client credit unions.

Tom Kealamakia was hired as vice president of research development position, another newly-created position. He will lead engineers and project managers in the development of core processing and supporting software systems. Kealamakia most recently worked at Overstock.com, where he held leadership positions in the software engineering division and gained extensive experience in strategic team leadership, application development, software platforms, APIs and system architecture.

Derrick Pope was promoted to assistant vice president of software development, also a newly-created position. He will work with Kealamakia to assist in the design and development of CUProdigy’s core processing product and manage the development team’s quality standards. He has worked at CUProdigy for five years and has 25 years of experience in credit union core software technology.

Gary McMullin was hired as vice president of client development, a newly-created position as well. He’ll lead the client development division responsible for customer success, conversion services and quality control. McMullin most recently worked at the $700 million, West Valley City, Utah-based Deseret First Federal Credit Union, where he was vice president of technology for nearly 20 years.

Bryant Solomon was hired as controller. He comes to CUProdigy from Tesla, where he managed a team of accountants responsible for overseeing the financial reporting of the tech firm’s energy investments and partnerships. Bryant previously worked at Goldman Sachs.

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