Credit Unions Kick Off 2020 With Promotions & Appointments
Plus, a CEO and NAFCU board member retires after 30 years of service.
WEST
The $4.8 billion Redwood Credit Union in Santa Rosa, Calif., hired Brian Kilkenny as its new business services administrator, assuming responsibility for the growth, quality and retention of RCU’s business loan portfolio. Prior to joining RCU, Kilkenny spent more than six years with Exchange Bank. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business management from Oregon State University and began his banking career at Bank of America.
The $86 million Hawaii First Federal Credit Union in Honolulu, Hawaii promoted Mary Ann Otake to COO.
After starting her career as a credit union intern, Otake has spent the last 18 years immersing herself in the credit union movement. She is a graduate of Western CUNA Management School and played an instrumental role in helping Hawaii First obtain its Community Development Financial Institution certification. Additionally, she helped with the planning and grant writing initiatives that led to seven CDFI awards totaling $4.1 million.
EAST
The $320 million University Credit Union in Orono, Maine appointed Renee Ouellette to president/CEO. Ouellette will be the first female president/CEO in University CU’s 52-year history. With this transition, Ouellette takes the reins of one of the largest credit unions in Maine by membership and asset size. Ouellette is a Certified Public Accountant and highly skilled finance professional with nearly 25 years of experience, including the last 10 years at University CU, most recently as SVP of finance. In addition to the CPA designation, she holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Husson College and an associate degree in business management from Eastern Maine Technical College.
MIDWEST
The $339 million Jolt Credit Union in Saginaw, Mich., named Taylor Lewinski the 2019 Deborah L. Frisch Employee of the Year. Annually, credit union management staff selects one employee who has displayed exceptional work performance, service to the membership and dedication to the credit union’s goals. Lewinski encompasses the true meaning of the Jolt essence by the way she interacts with others and goes above and beyond to help members, according to Jolt. She frequently volunteers to help coworkers with special projects. Lewinski has been employed at Jolt for five years and is currently a specialist in the credit union’s accounting department.
The $57 million CrossRoads Financial Federal Credit Union in Portland, Ind., appointed Donald C. Gillespie CEO, succeeding Janet E. Bantz, who is retiring. Gillespie has served as a senior loan officer and credit union financial counselor at CrossRoads since 2011. Gillespie came to CrossRoads with more than 23 years of bank lending and management experience. Gillespie has a degree in finance/economics and political science from the University of Indianapolis. In addition to serving in the loan department for more than 9,000 credit union members, he has served as City Court Judge of Portland for 10 years.
The $4.3 billion Veridian Credit Union in Waterloo, Iowa, promoted two employees.
Christina Christensen was promoted to manager of account resolution. Christensen, a resident of Elk Run Heights, has worked at Veridian for seven years. She was previously the account resolution team lead. Christensen has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Upper Iowa University.
Brian Lepa was promoted to investment portfolio administrator. Lepa, a resident of Waterloo, has worked at Veridian for 12 years. He was previously a senior accountant.
Lepa has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Northern Iowa.
TRADES
Robert Fisher, NAFCU board member and president/CEO of the $2.7 billion, Tampa, Fla.-based Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, has retired after nearly 30 years of leadership and service to the industry. He also retired from the association’s board, effective Dec. 31, 2019. Lisa Schlehuber, CEO of the $1.6 billion Elements Financial Federal Credit Union in Indianapolis, has been appointed to serve in his place and officially joined NAFCU’s board of directors on Jan. 1, 2020.
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