Employees Reach Career Milestones at 6 Credit Unions

WEST

The $3 billion WSECU in Olympia, Wash., promoted Ryan Brooks to vice president of digital acquisition systems. In this newly created role, he will oversee the credit union’s efforts to make the account opening and lending experiences simple and intuitive through online and mobile channels. Brooks started his 12-year tenure with WSECU in the contact center. He most recently served as director of digital lending, where he led a team to reimagine a new digital loan application.

The $5 billion Redwood Credit Union in Santa Rosa, Calif., hired Becky Perez as branch experience manager of its new Lower Lake branch.

In her new role, Perez is responsible for community and business development efforts, as well as overseeing member service, staff and branch operations. Perez came to RCU with 18 years of banking experience, including four years as branch manager at Bank of the West and four years at Westamerica in Clearlake, Calif.

The $11.7 billion America First Credit Union in Riverdale, Utah hired Dirk Samson to its leadership team as vice president of trust services.

In this role, he will assist credit union members located in Salt Lake and Utah counties with their financial and estate planning needs, including promotion of the credit union’s trust services to estate planning attorneys and other professionals. Samson has more than 20 years of proven experience in trust administration, estate settlement and investment management services.

MIDWEST

The $460 million ProFed Federal Credit Union in Fort Wayne, Ind., promoted two employees.

Nina Baker was promoted from EVP to president. Baker has been with ProFed for 35 years and has directly overseen accounting, account management, deposit operations, BSA/fraud prevention, facilities, information technology and marketing. Baker serves as a member of the boards of directors for the Indiana Credit Union League, the Northeastern Indiana Credit Union Chapter and the Indiana Credit Union Foundation. She has a history of involvement with professional, educational and not-for-profit organizations, and with organized sports.

Steve Piekarski was promoted from vice president/chief lending officer to EVP/COO. Piekarski has been with ProFed for eight years. His roles included overseeing lending, deposit, branch and card services operations. Piekarski has more than 30 years of experience in business and consumer lending, and is a graduate of Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. He serves as a board member and treasurer for the Fort Wayne Community Schools Foundation and has a record of involvement with civic, professional, economic development and charitable organizations.

The $6.2 billion CEFCU in Peoria, Ill., announced five employee moves.

Chuck Walker is retiring after 28 years at CEFCU, most recently serving as CFO. In addition to his job responsibilities of overseeing CEFCU’s financial operations, he was also involved with many charities, most recently serving on the board of WTVP, a public broadcasting station.

Giann Walker is retiring after 39 years at CEFCU, last serving as SVP of member experience, member operations and employee development.

In addition to her job responsibilities of overseeing member center operations, she also served on the board of the Center for Prevention of Abuse.

Wyatt Wolven was promoted to CFO. Wolven is responsible for overseeing CEFCU’s financial planning, accounting, cash management and investment functions, financial procedures and fiscal operations.

Ken Anderson was promoted to vice president of member operations.

Anderson is responsible for directing, developing and facilitating strategic projects to enhance the overall operations of member centers and the member contact center.

Diane Roe was promoted to vice president of member experience and employee development.

Roe is responsible for overseeing the execution of corporate member experience, vision, strategy and guiding principles while developing an ongoing quality service and sales culture.

SOUTH

The $415 million Jax Federal Credit Union in Jacksonville, Fla., appointed Bridgett Loafman to chief human resource officer. In her new role, Loafman oversees all human resources policies and operations for the credit union and its 135 employees who serve more than 37,500 members across Florida’s Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Baker and Nassau Counties. Loafman brings more than 30 years of human resources and management experience to the role.

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