8 Credit Unions Hire & Promote Professionals

WEST

The $3.8 billion Mission Federal Credit Union in San Diego appointed Eric Larson as vice president – finance and treasury. Larson served as CFO of CalPrivate Bank and its holding company, Private Bancorp of America, Inc. from 2010 until 2019. Prior to his tenure at CalPrivate, Larson was employed at San Diego National Bank from 1985 until 2009.

The $2.2 billion Elevations Credit Union in Boulder, Colo., promoted Stephanie Camara-Ray to SVP, credit risk management.

In this role, Camara-Ray will lead Elevations’ credit risk management teams including residential, consumer and business underwriting, credit risk policy, loss mitigation and quality control. Prior to joining Elevations, Camara-Ray served for 25 years in senior credit and risk management roles at firms including Lehman Brothers, Deutsche Bank and CitiMortgage.

EAST

The $179 million ACCESS Federal Credit Union in Clinton, N.Y., promoted three of its employees to assistant vice president.

Emily Coin was promoted to assistant vice president of risk management. Coin joined the credit union in 2016 and has worked in several positions, including internal auditor. Most recently she was the supervisor of risk management. In her position, she is responsible for regulatory compliance, branch security and overseeing the internal audit functions of the credit union. Coin also maintains all the credit union policies and procedures, and assists with new product development.

Suzanne Lukacz was promoted to assistant vice president and loan officer. Lukacz began her career with the credit union in 1997 and worked as a member service representative in the Oneida office before transferring to the Clinton office. In April 2004, Lukacz was promoted to branch supervisor of the Clinton office, and is currently responsible for supporting all aspects of the frontline operations for the Clinton office. In addition, she is a mortgage originator for the credit union. In February, Lukacz was granted lending authority by the credit union’s board of directors and will serve as a loan officer for the credit union.

Nicholas Owens was promoted to assistant vice president and loan officer. Owens began his career with the credit union in 2008 and has served as a teller, head teller and member service representative. In June 2017, Owens was promoted to branch supervisor of the Oneida and Sherrill offices. Owens is currently responsible for supporting all aspects of the frontline operations in both offices. In addition, Owens is a mortgage originator for the credit union. In February, Owens was granted lending authority by the credit union’s board of directors and will serve as loan officer for the credit union.

The $334 million First New York Federal Credit Union in Albany, N.Y., hired Cassandra Nadler as a graphic designer, joining the marketing department.

In this role, Nadler will be responsible for the creation and design of the credit union’s digital and print marketing materials. Prior to joining First New York, she was a graphic designer at Brawn Media and a content designer at IEEE GlobalSpec in Albany.

MIDWEST

The $2.6 billion Corporate Central Credit Union in Muskego, Wis., hired Kevin Mackenzie as a senior software engineer. Mackenzie will deliver business process improvements and automation by managing, analyzing, designing, developing and integrating efficient business intelligence and database systems. Mackenzie brings more than 30 years and of experience across many industries in software design and development including desktop, web applications, server applications and embedded software in devices ranging from cable TV converters to a giant semiconductor mask printing machine.

The $2.9 billion First Community Credit Union in Chesterfield, Mo., hired Tom Thornton as vice president of investment services. Thornton brings extensive knowledge and more than 20 years of experience as a high-performing retail financial consultant and regional sales manager. Most recently, he was the investments and insurance director for Heartland Financial USA in Dubuque, Iowa.

SOUTH

The $1.1 billion SAFE Federal Credit Union in Sumter, S.C., named Michael Baker president/CEO. Baker will succeed Darrell Merkel, who has served as president/CEO since March 2017. In December 2019, Merkel announced his plans to retire from SAFE during the summer of 2020 after 32 years of service. Baker brings almost 20 years of credit union experience to the position and currently serves as SAFE’s EVP/COO. To aid in the transition, Merkel will serve as EVP/COO on an interim basis until the role can be filled permanently.

The $1.2 billion Y-12 Federal Credit Union in Oak Ridge, Tenn., hired two employees. Sherri Henderson was hired as branch manager for the Sevierville Branch. Henderson brings 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, including experience in management, lending and compliance.

Brandon Poore was hired as consumer lending consultant manager, bringing 18 years of financial services experience to the position.

Poore has a bachelor’s degree and MBA from Tusculum College.

Please send your People news items to Natasha Chilingerian at nchilingerian@cutimes.com.