9 Credit Unions Reveal Employee Career Advancements

WEST

Janice Lehman, president/CEO of the $7 million SEG Federal Credit Union in Laurel, Mont., was named the 2019 Montana Credit Union Professional of the Year by Montana’s Credit Unions. The award recognizes her more than 38 years of credit union advocacy in Montana. Lehman has been the face of SEG FCU for 38 years. In that time, she has devoted herself to the growth and development of the credit union. Her dedication is showcased by SEG FCU’s growth from roughly $300,000 in assets to more than $7 million.

The $2 billion Vantage West Credit Union in Tucson, Ariz., promoted Danielle Bridges to chief revenue officer. In her new role, Bridges provides leadership and oversight for the overall sales, services and operational performance of the consumer and business revenue producing and operational networks of the credit union. Her areas of oversight include lending, retail branch network and deposit operations. Bridges is also accountable for member engagement and retention through relationship building and service delivery.

The $455 million UNCLE Credit Union in Livermore, Calif., re-elected Chung Bothwell as board chairman for the 2019 to 2020 term. Now commencing her 12th term in this critical role, Bothwell has served in varied capacities on UNCLE’s board of directors for more than two decades. She has been highly instrumental in guiding the credit union on a course of sustainable growth while safeguarding its long-term financial health. In 2018, Bothwell helped lead an expansion of the financial institution’s retail network with two successful mergers in San Joaquin County.

The $1 billion Bay Federal Credit Union in Capitola, Calif., named Manny Escarcega assistant vice president/branch manager of its new Salinas Branch. Escarcega has an extensive background in sales, member service and leadership. The branch was formerly Coast-Tel Federal Credit Union before its recent merger into Bay Federal. Escarcega joined Bay Federal in 2005.

The $943 million One Nevada Credit Union in Las Vegas, Nev., hired Mo Nemati as vice president of consumer lending. Nemati will oversee the credit union’s consumer loan underwriting, processing, collections and loan servicing activities. Nemati has significant financial services industry experience. He started working in banking nearly 20 years ago and has worked for credit unions over the last 10 years.

EAST

The $783 million Point Breeze Credit Union in Point Breeze, Md., named Cynthia M. Harrell vice president, operations support. In her new post, Harrell will be responsible for planning, directing and coordinating all operations support activities that impact services offered to Point Breeze members and the credit union’s future growth. Since joining Point Breeze in 1993, Harrell has served as loan officer, member service supervisor and branch manager. She was named operations support manager in November 2013.

The $596 million Align Credit Union in Lowell, Mass., promoted Charlotte Arivella to vice president of retail operations. Arivella is responsible for evolving the look and feel of the branches and supporting the staff to ensure the best possible banking experience for credit union members. She joined Align nearly 10 years ago as a teller, and in 2015, she was promoted to assistant branch manager. Prior to becoming part of the Align family, Arivella held positions ranging from sales associate to store manager at both family-owned businesses and large corporations.

MIDWEST

The $68 million Archer Credit Union in Central City, Neb., announced two employee moves.

Rex Minert was named president/CEO. Minert will handle the overall operations of the credit union with the objective of ensuring financial stability commensurate with the best interests of the members. He joined Archer almost eight years ago and is a lifelong Nebraskan with more than 30 years of lending experience in both the agricultural and commercial areas.

Mike Kezeor was named CFO. Kezeor will continue his focus on the credit union’s accounting and finances, and management of risks and financial reporting, while expanding his role with strategic planning and process changes. Kezeor has served as vice president of finance since he joining the Archer team six years ago. He is responsible for the accounting system, budgeting, internal and external reporting, asset and liability management and the overall information technology environment.

The $1.2 billion Interra Credit Union in Gosher, Ind., promoted Darrin McLaughlin to SVP/technology officer. McLaughlin will direct the credit union’s IT and business system teams, information security, enterprise project management, deposit operations and e-services support. He also leads the work of the newly-created innovation council. McLaughlin joined the Interra staff last year as vice president of enterprise project management. McLaughlin brings more than 15 years of IT and project management experience to Interra.

CUSOS

Extensia Financial hired real estate finance veteran Richard Caldwell as chief lending officer. Caldwell has more than 25 years of experience in commercial real estate lending and corporate finance. As chief lending officer, he will utilize his experience to enhance the firm’s industry knowledge and expertise in identifying lending opportunities for credit unions seeking to expand their commercial real estate portfolios.

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