Employee Moves Announced at 5 Credit Unions & CUSO Prodigy

WEST

The $5 billion Redwood Credit Union in Santa Rosa, Calif., promoted Johanna Szostak to branch experience manager of its Mendocino Avenue location. In her new role, Szostak is responsible for overseeing member service, staff management, daily branch operations, and local community and business development efforts. Szostak joined RCU in 2002, and has been promoted six times in that time span, moving from teller to member services, assistant branch service manager and now branch experience manager.

The $1.1 billion University First Federal Credit Union in Salt Lake City, Utah announced Phil Janovak, former University First president/CEO and board member, is retiring from credit union service. Janovak spent more than 50 years in the credit union industry, including 30 years as president of University First. During his career, he served as a national director of CUNA and served as a board member, secretary and treasurer for the Utah League of Credit Unions. He founded and was the first chairman of Access 24, the statewide ATM network, which is now part of the CO-OP ATM Network.

EAST

Dawn Desmelyk, commercial lending portfolio officer for the $3.5 billion Affinity Federal Credit Union in Basking Ridge, N.J., was appointed as an advisory board member to the NJ Small Business Development Center at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg Township, N.J. Desmelyk will work to extend Affinity’s partnership with the local organization and provide resources to small business owners.

MIDWEST

The $4.3 billion Veridian Credit Union in Waterloo, Iowa promoted Lauren Nissen to mortgage loan originator. Nissen, a resident of Omaha, Neb., has worked at Veridian for seven years. She was previously an eServices loan officer. Nissen was involved in the community as a volunteer for the Wrapping for a Cause event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and will continue with the pen pal buddies at Veridian.

SOUTH

The $408 million Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union in Baxter, Minn., announced seven employee moves.

Chris Tangen was promoted to EVP and chief technology officer. He has been leading the rapid growth of technology for the past 13 years. His training and certifications give him the unique skill set to not only manage systems, but the people who run them.

Daryl Doucette was named chief administrative officer. In this expanded role, he will lead the attraction, engagement and retention of members. In the past three years since joining the credit union, he helped create the first statewide Credit Union Employee Benefits Plan.

Karen Munsterteiger was promoted to CFO. With more than three decades of experience, Munsterteiger will lead the strategic direction and administration of the credit union’s asset/liability management, risk assessment, financial analysis and investment services. She is also a leader in the community, serving a variety of roles including past president of the Brainerd Area Noon Sertoma and chair of the Brainerd Lakes Women’s Fund.

Missy Borg, who has worked at the credit union for 25 years, was named COO. She started as a teller, then moved to member services and now works in management. Her experience informs the decisions she makes as a senior leader when implementing processes, products and services to best serve member owners.

Joe Reed was promoted to vice president of business services. Reed has served business members at Mid Minnesota for the past eight years and leads a team of business lending experts across central Minnesota.

Karly Lillo was named vice president of technology services. Lillo will lead the team that ensures the online and 24/7 services that member owners rely on are working well and keeping pace with the expansion of technology. Her expertise has been honed over the past 15 years at the credit union. Lillo will also serve as a statewide leader for a software user group throughout Minnesota.

Miranda Anderson was hired as vice president of marketing and communications. Anderson has two decades of experience marketing for service related industries. She has a degree in marketing from Bemidji State University and is a graduate of the Blandin and Brainerd Lakes Chamber leadership programs.

CUSOS

Prodigy, a fintech CUSO, promoted Amber Harsin from EVP of market engagement to CEO, replacing Bret Weekes following his retirement to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Harsin has been an integral part of Prodigy’s senior leadership for many years. She will lead the CUSO to achieve the strategic vision established, with a focus and passion for the cooperative that will continue to build and lift the CUSO network.

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