CU Professionals Celebrate Hires, Promotions, Retirements & Honors
Seven credit unions announce People news this week, including four promotions at Suffolk FCU in Medford, N.Y.
WEST
The $770 million Sandia Area Federal Credit Union in Albuquerque, N.M., announced President/CEO Scott H. Connely is retiring April 1, 2020. Connely’s career in the credit union industry has spanned over four decades. During Connely’s tenure, the credit union has grown from $79 million to $770 million in assets, and membership has increased to nearly 70,000 members. The board of directors named Paula J. Peknik as the new president/CEO of the credit union.
The $8.3 billion Alaska USA Federal Credit Union in Anchorage, Alaska selected Chris Brown as executive director, consumer lending.
As executive director of consumer lending, some of Brown’s responsibilities will include ensuring the efficiency, effectiveness and control of operations while assisting with the credit union’s goals and strategies. Brown has more than 25 years of industry experience, including 12 years with Ford Motor Credit Company. He has been employed with Alaska USA since 2017, most recently as SVP, special credits.
EAST
The $326 million First New York Federal Credit Union in Albany, N.Y., hired Christian Cuevas as an associate financial advisor for the credit union’s retirement and investment services team. Cuevas is an experienced financial services professional. He is a graduate of the University at Albany and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with concentrations in finance and management. He is licensed in life, accident and health insurances, and is FINRA securities-registered.
The $1.2 billion Suffolk Federal Credit Union in Medford, N.Y., promoted four employees.
Thomas Perri was promoted to assistant vice president, business services. In this position, Perri is responsible for overseeing all business services and commercial lending functions of Suffolk Federal along with building and establishing relationships with business members and prospects. He monitors and manages the commercial loan portfolio exceeding $120 million, including performing quarterly and annual reviews. He creates and implements short and long-term strategic goals and objectives, and develops and updates all business lending policies and procedures, among other activities.
Micah Schlendorf was promoted to assistant vice president, retail member experience. In this position, Schlendorf is responsible for overseeing branch personnel in their efforts to provide exceptional member service. He works directly with branch management on business development, and loan and membership growth goals, which ultimately leads to increased revenue and profitability for the credit union. Schlendorf works directly with executive management to ensure all strategic initiatives are successfully implemented at the branch level.
Toni Ajello was promoted to assistant vice president of mortgages. In this position, Ajello is responsible for overseeing all mortgage originations, processing and underwriting required for mortgage loan growth. She is the lead liaison between Suffolk Federal membership, mortgage servicing vendors, mortgage attorneys and other parties involved in the mortgage process. Ajello monitors the credit union’s mortgage policies, procedures and required audits.
Debra Kaminski was promoted to assistant vice president of collections and loan portfolio analysis.
In this position, Kaminski is responsible for overseeing all collection activity, evaluating analytics of Suffolk Federal’s loan portfolio, and managing loss mitigation processes and the loan workout program, helping members struggling financially to maintain home ownership. She manages the OREO portfolio, foreclosure activity, property maintenance and vacant property requirements and provides leadership, mentoring and training to the collections department.
MIDWEST
Bob McKay, president/CEO of the $1.82 billion Together Credit Union in St. Louis, Mo., was appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council. Comprised of 12 executives from financial institutions across the Eighth District, each serving a three-year term, the CDIAC shares first-hand insight on the economy, lending conditions and other issues with the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. McKay, who has served as the president/CEO for Together since 2015, is an active member of the credit union community.
The $4.3 billion Veridian Credit Union in Waterloo, Iowa promoted Alex Ablan to West Broadway branch manager in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Ablan, a resident of Omaha, Neb., has worked at Veridian for nearly two years. He was previously a loan officer. Ablan has a bachelor’s degree in business management and finance from the University of Santa Maria.
SOUTH
The $688 million Greater Texas Credit Union in Austin, Texas hired Joe James as vice president, investment services. James has more than 27 years of investment services experience in various roles of increasing responsibility and authority. He most recently served as agency supervisory officer for MassMutual South Texas in San Antonio. He has professional experience in sales, financial consulting, wealth management, compliance and retail financial institution investment services management.
Please send your People news items to Tahira Hayes at thayes@cutimes.com.