9 Credit Unions Recognize Employee Advancements

WEST

The $2.8 billion Technology Credit Union in San Jose, Calif., hired Steve Shead as head of technology. He will be responsible for driving Tech CU’s long-term IT strategy and is well-versed in strategic planning, budget management, change management, cloud services, networks, information security, data management, negotiations and vendor management. Shead will also join Tech CU’s Managing Committee. He has been in the IT field for more than 30 years, where he has established a strong track record for collaborating cross functionally across the enterprise to ensure his teams meet the company’s IT needs.

The $4.7 billion Redwood Credit Union in Santa Rosa, Calif., hired Gladys Milligan as manager of its new American Canyon branch at 406 Napa Junction Rd., Suite 126 in the Napa Junction Shopping Center. In her new role, Milligan is responsible for overseeing member service, staff management and daily branch operations, as well as local community and business development efforts. Prior to joining RCU, Milligan worked in the financial industry for 15 years, 11 of which were in management.

The $965 million Greater Nevada Credit Union in Carson City, Nev., hired Danny DeLaRosa as chief development officer. In this role, DeLaRosa will oversee marketing as well as strategic development for Nevada’s largest domiciled, community-owned financial institution. DeLaRosa will also manage two newly-created departments, people development and business development. The chief development officer role will benefit both Greater Nevada and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Greater Nevada Mortgage and Greater Commercial Lending.

The $139 million Compass Community Credit Union in Eureka, Calif., named Michele O’Brien branch manager for the Arcata branch. The Arcata branch recently opened in April and is serving members in Northern Humboldt. O’Brien brings more than 28 years of banking in Humboldt County. Her experience will allow her to adapt quickly and lead the team in Arcata. She will be responsible for day-to-day operations, managing staff, handling member lending needs and cultivating local relationships.

The $2.1 billion Elevations Credit Union in Boulder, Colo., hired Kendal Harris as SVP, retail network, leading the organization’s branches, contact center and retail operations. She is responsible for driving member service excellence, achieving financial results and aligning the retail network with Elevations’ core purpose, vision and values. For the last 15 years, Harris served as vice president, branch operations at the $2.5 billion Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union in Albuquerque, N.M. While there, she also served as a board member of Albuquerque Quality Network and as a quality examiner for Quality New Mexico.

EAST

The $1.6 billion AmeriCU Credit Union in Rome, N.Y., selected Michael Sisk as chief lending officer. Sisk has 30 years of experience in the credit union industry, with extensive experience within the lending function. Most recently he held the role of chief lending officer at the $964 million United States Senate Federal Credit Union in Alexandria, Va. Prior to that he was SVP of lending at the $1.6 billion Sharonview Federal Credit Union in Fort Mill, S.C., for 17 years.

The $532 million GFA Federal Credit Union in Gardner, Mass., hired Christal C. Brown as assistant vice president, director of marketing.

In this role, Brown will lead the marketing department to continuously evolve member engagement and overall growth within both the personal and business banking markets. She will work to strengthen the existing GFA brand by expanding on both traditional and digital opportunities, and community engagement, all aligning with the overall strategic objectives of the credit union.

MIDWEST

The African-American Credit Union Coalition elected Larry D. Sewell, vice president of corporate partnerships and advocacy for the $1.7 billion, St. Louis, Mo.-based Anheuser-Busch Employees’​ Credit Union, vice chairman of the executive board of directors for a second term. Established in 1999, AACUC advocates on behalf of communities often underserved by majority financial institutions, and promotes the personal and professional growth of members through leadership, internship and mentorship. Sewell was first appointed to the AACUC’s board of directors in 2016 and then elected for a three-year term in 2017. After becoming Vice Chairman in 2018, he has helped carry out the vision of the coalition by serving in multiple committee positions.

The $1.3 billion Firefly Credit Union in Burnsville, Minn., promoted Rob Reintjes to mortgage loan officer. Reintjes attended Minnesota State University, Mankato and has since worked for multiple financial institutions, assisting with the back-end mortgage process including closing, processing, underwriting and sales for properties in all 50 states. In his new role, Reintjes works with members to evaluate their current financial situation and plans for the future to determine what type of home financing will best suit their needs. He is looking forward to having a member-facing role that gives him the ability to educate individuals on the home buying process.

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