8 Credit Unions, CO-OP Appoint Talent to New Positions

WEST

The $4.5 billion Redwood Credit Union in Santa Rosa, Calif., hired Allison Spitzer as vice president of retail lending. In her new role, she will oversee mortgage, consumer and construction lending. Prior to joining RCU, Spitzer worked for nearly 18 years at Bank of Marin in its lending and credit administration department.

The $2.3 billion Numerica Credit Union in Spokane Valley, Wash., hired two employees.

Ben Richardson was hired as SVP of finance. Richardson has more than 18 years of experience in corporate finance, strategic planning, financial planning and analysis, corporate development, balance sheet risk management, profitability, capital planning, budgeting and financial reporting in publicly-held and private equity-backed companies. Prior to accepting a position with Numerica, Richardson served as SVP, director of capital planning at the $12 billion Banner Bank, where he led the capital planning, stress testing and asset liability management functions.

Toby Flood was hired as internal senior loan officer. Flood will be based out of Numerica’s Wandemere branch in north Spokane. Flood has 20 years of experience in the financial industry, most recently as a home mortgage consultant for Wells Fargo. His areas of expertise include conventional loans, credit building and rebuilding, first-time home buying, jumbo mortgages and mortgage lending.

EAST

The $227 million Southern Mass Credit Union in Fairhaven, Mass., hired Dorine Boyd as assistant vice president, mortgage loan originator. Boyd has more than 20 years of mortgage lending experience. She most recently served as vice president and mortgage originator at Mansfield Bank. Boyd enjoys being a trusted advisor to the local real estate community, helping people achieve their dream of homeownership and assisting customers with their mortgage program options.

The $904 million RTN Federal Credit Union in Waltham, Mass., named Lisa Rohmer vice president of lending and chief lending officer. In her new role, Rohmer is responsible for overseeing RTN’s mortgage, consumer and business lending area. Rohmer joined RTN in 2015, serving as assistant vice president of lending. Previously, she held the position of vice president of lending at Framingham Cooperative Bank (now MutualOne Bank), and national mortgage manager at BNY Mellon.

The $3 billion NEFCU in Westbury, N.Y., named Renu Dalessandro chief marketing officer. She will oversee all aspects of marketing, community- and member-focused initiatives, as well as sales, training and branch operations. Dalessandro will be tasked with continuing NEFCU’s evolution toward being the region’s most digitally advanced and member-centric credit union.

MIDWEST

The $217 million Unison Credit Union in Kaukauna, Wis., selected Chad Van Handel as chief lending officer. Van Handel will oversee all operations of the financial services area, including consumer lending, business lending and member services. Previously with Huntington National Bank, Van Handel has 16 years of banking experience with a focus on commercial lending.

The $1.1 billion Central Minnesota Credit Union in Melrose, Minn., selected Charles Friederichs as president/CEO. Friederichs has been with Central Minnesota for more than 11 years and served as interim CEO since October 2018. Before his appointment as interim CEO, Friederichs was COO for almost five years, following his role as CFO for six years prior. Friederichs has an extensive career within the financial services industry spanning almost 30 years.

SOUTH

The $783 million Point Breeze Credit Union in Hunt Valley, Md., named Tonia Niedzialkowski EVP/COO. Niedzialkowski, a 29-year industry veteran who has spent the past 25 years at Point Breeze, previously served as SVP/CFO and chief of information technology. In her new role, Niedzialkowski will assume the day-to-day, operational responsibilities of directing the Point Breeze senior management team. She will also oversee all aspects of operations within Point Breeze, including member services, operations, human resources, lending and marketing.

CUSOS

CO-OP Financial Services hired Amber Danford as vice president, client services. Danford, an experienced credit union executive, brings executive-level engagement to ensure seamless partnerships between CO-OP and its credit union clients, and promote increased customer satisfaction for members. In addition to her 16 years of experience working for credit unions, Danford has spent the past two years as a member of CO-OP Financial Services’ client advisory Co-Creation Council on Payments. In Danford’s new role, she will be responsible for helping clients ensure their CO-OP services perform at the highest level, and take full advantage of all features and functionality; as well as speedy resolution of service questions, and prompt onboarding of new clients or new CO-OP services acquired by existing clients.

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