7 Credit Unions Hire & Promote in the West, Midwest & South

WEST

The $12.9 billion First Technology Federal Credit Union in San Jose, Calif., hired three new employees to its leadership team.

John Robinson was hired as SVP of people. Robinson brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in developing human resource strategies for global organizations. At First Tech, he will lead the human resources and learning and development team. In his role, Robinson will implement strategies to align teams and improve the employee experience throughout the organization. He is based at First Tech’s Hillsboro Corporate Campus.

Lisa Banner was hired as SVP of enterprise operations. Banner will lead multiple operational business units at First Tech, including payments, fraud, and deposit and branch operations. Playing an integral role in the design, establishment, implementation and ongoing assessment of operational processes and systems that are member-centric, Banner will balance operational objectives and organizational risk tolerance. She will join First Tech in February at its Hillsboro Corporate Campus.

Scott Sanford was hired as vice president of the contact experience center. Sanford is a seasoned customer service professional with more than 28 years of experience leading customer-centric companies. In his role, Sanford will focus on enhancing First Tech’s new IVR system designed to reduce call volumes and add additional security for members through voice verification. He will support First Tech’s customer service representatives to better serve the needs of its members today and into the future.

MIDWEST

The $1.1 billion SPIRE Credit Union in Falcon Heights, Minn., hired Alex Mendes as SVP, chief financial and technology officer. He will maintain strategic oversight of SPIRE’s asset liability management, finance, corporate investments programs and information technology. He comes with 31 years of experience, most recently as CFO for the $1.4 billion, Tukwila, Wash.-based Inspirus Credit Union. Mendes started his career with some of the largest and most prestigious global financial institutions in New York City and has ascended into various roles in credit unions and banks.

SOUTH

The $24.7 billion Pentagon Federal Credit Union in Tysons, Va., hired retired Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Terry V. Williams as SVP of global fixed assets. In this role, Williams is responsible for the strategic planning, direction and oversight of PenFed’s global fixed assets. Williams brings a wealth of talent and experience to the PenFed team, having served in the Marine Corps for 32 years. During his time in the Marine Corps, Williams commanded at all levels and served in numerous staff assignments around the world.

The $930 million Neighbors Federal Credit Union in Baton Rouge, La., promoted Bridgette White to vice president of mortgage. White started with Neighbors in 2001 as a teller before working her way up as a mortgage escrow servicer and later a mortgage loan officer. She most recently served the credit union as assistant vice president of mortgage before her recent promotion.

The $54 million Harvester Financial Credit Union in Indianapolis promoted two employees.

Elizabeth Olson, credit union certified financial counselor, was promoted to vice president of operations. Olson has been with Harvester Financial for six years. Olson started out as member service representative at Harvester Financial and transitioned to marketing. During her time in marketing, she learned more on the operational side of the credit union. During her time at Harvester Financial, she has led training in different areas, helped implement several projects, manages their website, helped with a massive re-branding and works closely with their data.

Jason Ford, CCUE, was promoted to president. He has 27 years of experience in the financial services industry, with the last 12 in credit unions, which has given him a diverse background in lending, compliance and operations. He has proven to be a valuable resource for the employees at Harvester Financial.

The $1 billion Member One Federal Credit Union in Roanoke, Va., promoted Lori Cauley to chief brand officer. This is a newly-created position and represents the importance strategic branding plays in the current and future growth of the credit union in the markets it serves. Cauley joined the credit union in 2019 and brings more than 15 years of corporate experience in marketing and advertising, brand management, project management, business development, community development and public relations.

The $1.8 billion South Carolina Federal Credit Union in North Charleston, S.C., promoted two employees.

Trey Gantt was promoted to COO. Gantt most recently served as the SVP of lending services and has been with the credit union for more than 17 years. As COO, Gantt will lead the credit union’s retail sales and service, business performance management, and lending and marketing teams.

David Dulaney was promoted to SVP of lending services. Dulaney assumes his new role after leading the credit union’s mortgage team for more than five years.

As SVP of lending services, Dulaney will oversee all lending at South Carolina Federal and manage its $1.45 billion loan portfolio.

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