10 CUs Announce Hires, Promotions & Board Appointments

WEST

The $2.3 billion Vantage West Credit Union in Tucson, Ariz., welcomed Mark Papoccia as vice president, business banking. In his new role, Papoccia is responsible for oversight of the credit union’s business banking division, which includes managing the commercial real estate and business banking needs of current and potential business members, and providing leadership for the business banking team. Papoccia brings more than 32 years in the financial services arena and previously served as head of strategy and segmentation – commercial banking for BMO Harris Bank.

The $1.7 billion, Downey, Calif.-based Financial Partners Credit Union announced Cambria Briggs has joined its executive management team as SVP of human resources and employee development. In her new role, she will develop strategies in support of continued learning and a high-performance culture. Briggs joins Financial Partners most recently from Bank of America, where she held senior positions in human resources. As SVP of learning and leadership development at Bank of America for the institution’s 3,000 Private Bank employees, she led succession planning and supported the design and delivery of learning solutions for client-facing employees.

The $22.59 billion, Santa Ana, Calif.-based SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union appointed a new board member and two new associate directors.

Douglas Sato was selected to fill a board vacancy when board member Adam O’Connor resigned from the board after more than 25 years as a volunteer director to focus on his new position as interim vice chancellor at Rancho Santiago Community College District. Sato brings a strong financial background, having been an auditor for Coopers & Lybrand, an operations control manager at Los Rios Community College District, the owner of a CPA firm and a SchoolsFirst associate director, a volunteer position he accepted after having served five years as a board member at Schools Financial Credit Union ($2.15 billion, Sacramento). He has been a SchoolsFirst member for 38 years.

Nina Boyd was appointed as an associate director. She is currently the associate superintendent of governance, leadership and community partnerships and the liaison to California’s Orange County Board of Education. She has served the education community for 39 years, beginning in accounting and purchasing at Santa Ana Unified School District, and later joining the Orange County Department of Education as an administrator, purchasing contracts and operations; executive director of facilities and operations; and assistant superintendent of human resources and support services. Boyd has served the California Association School Business Officials (CASBO) in leadership positions both on the local board and at the state level. She has been a SchoolsFirst member for 37 years and volunteered on several committees since 2014, including Finance committee, SchoolsFirst Insurance Services Board and OC/LA Advisory Board.

Richard De Nava was appointed as an associate director. He is currently serving as the assistant superintendent of business services at California’s San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, and previously served as the assistant superintendent of business services at the state’s San Jacinto Unified School District. De Nava has worked in education since 2003, and prior to that served as an officer in the U.S. Army. He is an active member of CASBO and is its president-elect. He has been a SchoolsFirst member for six years and volunteered on several committees since 2014, including the Finance committee, Investment Advisory committee and Inland Empire Advisory Board, where he is currently the vice chair.

The $2.59 billion Elevations Credit Union in Boulder, Colo., hired Jennifer Ramirez as chief experience officer. Ramirez will lead Elevations’ digital initiatives, product development, and marketing and community affairs teams. She brings 25 years of business leadership experience, as well as expertise as a board member for multiple private and nonprofit organizations, in addition to recently serving as co-chair for the Denver Metro Chamber’s Colorado Investment Services Coalition. Ramirez most recently served as SVP of global client experience transformation at Janus Henderson Investors, and has also served at Western Union and First Data Corporation.

EAST

The $221.8 million NET Credit Union in Scranton, Penn., promoted two employees.

Mileise Allegrucci was promoted to vice president of member experience. Allegrucci, who joined NET five years ago, will oversee marketing and business development as well as branch operations.

Marc Michalowski was promoted to vice president of information systems and technology. He has an experienced background in IT, and will manage NET’s IT and back-office departments.

The $734 million, Chesapeake, Va.-based ABNB Federal Credit Union promoted four employees.

Amelia Lewis was promoted to relationship manager at ABNB’s Sewell’s Point branch. She has served as a branch supervisor in the credit union’s Naval Station Norfolk and JEB Little Creek Base locations since 2017. In Lewis’ new role, she will direct the operations of the Sewell’s Point branch, foster relationships between staff and members of the community, and ensure members’ needs are met.

Terri Nelson was promoted to change manager in ABNB’s IT department. Nelson has been with ABNB since 2015, most recently serving as a project manager. She has worked in the banking industry for 39 years. In her new role, Nelson will assist in the creation of the Change Management Program for ABNB. Her responsibilities will include management of the testing process, communication, and collaboration with executive management and the entire credit union for the changes implemented.

Susan Newman was promoted to investment representative at ABNB Financial, the credit union’s investment services area of business. She has been with ABNB Financial since 2012, most recently serving as financial services specialist. She will educate members about the products and services available to them in their differing financial situations, from college savings to life insurance, retirement solutions and wealth accumulation.

Chrissy Thomas was promoted to enterprise solutions manager in ABNB’s IT department.

She has been working in the credit union industry since 2003, and has been with ABNB as a DataSafe support specialist since 2015.

MIDWEST

Cobalt Credit Union ($1 billion, Papillion, Neb.) promoted one professional and hired another to its senior leadership team.

Rod Latham was promoted to chief lending officer. In his new role, Latham will manage all aspects of lending for the credit union, including commercial, consumer, real estate, indirect and loan solutions. He has been with Cobalt for 14 years, working first as an indirect underwriter, followed by vice president of indirect lending and loan solutions. Prior to joining Cobalt, Latham spent 15 years working in the automotive financing industry.

Andrew Schmillen was hired as CFO. Schmillen brings over 30 years of experience in the banking industry to Cobalt. In his new role, he will leverage opportunities for growth through financial planning, analysis and risk management, in addition to leading the credit union’s finance team. He joins Cobalt from ACCESS Bank, where he was EVP and CFO. Before that, he served as CFO/treasurer at American National Bank, and prior to that served as vice president/assistant treasurer at First National of Nebraska. Schmillen holds the following certifications and designations: CFA, CPA and CGMA.

Teachers Credit Union ($3.88 billion, South Bend, Ind.) hired Jacquelyn Burns Rucker as its first director of diversity, equity and inclusion. In this role, Rucker will collaborate with TCU leadership to develop a comprehensive strategy for developing and retaining a diverse workforce, serving members equitably and creating a training program that can promote a more inclusive environment. She will also enhance the credit union’s cultural competence initiatives to extend its impact in the communities it serves. For the past two decades, Rucker has served as president of J.B. Rucker & Associates, specializing in strategic consulting in the areas of diversity and leadership development. She formerly served as associate director of community relations at the University of Notre Dame, overseeing its Center for Arts & Culture in downtown South Bend. Rucker has also worked as a diversity manager and management development specialist with Beacon Health System. She is currently president of the Indiana Association of Blacks in Higher Education, and board member and past president of South Bend’s Salvation Army Kroc Center.

SOUTH

Ginia Chapline was promoted from SVP of talent to COO at the $1.5 billion, Arlington, Texas-based Texas Trust Credit Union. Chapline was appointed to the role following the retirement of Pamela Stephens. In the 12 years Chapline has been at Texas Trust, she has helped lead the credit union through three acquisitions, which have grown it to one of the largest in North Texas. She was named HR Professional of the Year in 2016 by the Cornerstone Credit Union League, serves on the board of the Fort Worth Chapter of Credit Unions, is a committee member of the Children’s Miracle Network and is an active volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House. As COO, Chapline will lead card solutions, fraud, security and facilities; human resources and talent; and work closely with Texas Trust’s board of directors.

Security Service Federal Credit Union ($10 billion, San Antonio, Texas) promoted its first two female EVPs in the history of the credit union.

Cindy Moran was promoted to EVP, chief human resources officer. Moran has led the credit union’s human resources team during the COVID crisis, including monitoring a remote workforce and ensuring best practices for those returning to work. She oversaw the implementation of a digital/online hiring process, allowing the credit union to continue recruiting and employment efforts during the pandemic. Moran has served the credit union for 28 years. Prior to leading human resources, she served in a variety of member service leadership roles.

Cheri McGill was promoted to EVP, chief risk officer. McGill has been part of the Security Service team for six years, leading the creation and implementation of an enterprise risk management program. She has more than 20 years of legal expertise and earned her J.D. from South Texas College of Law.

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