8 Credit Unions From Coast to Coast Announce Employee Moves

WEST

The Investment Services team at Bay Federal Credit Union ($1.3 billion, Capitola, Calif.) added Bennett Bilgere as its new LPL investment advisor representative. Bilgere joined Bay Federal in 2014. According to the credit union, he chose to become an investment advisor representative because it allowed him to combine his interest in financial markets with his passion for helping people. After seeing the effect of the 2008 recession on his parents’ retirement plans, he learned the real value in financial planning, Bay Federal said. LPL Financial offers insurance and investment services to approximately 800 banks and credit unions nationwide.

EAST

The $741.4 million, Harrisburg, Pa.-based Belco Community Credit Union hired Scott Sterling as vice president of marketing. Sterling brings more than 20 years of marketing experience to the role, which is responsible for the development, implementation, measurement and maintenance of the credit union’s strategic marketing, communications, business development and community relations plans. Sterling has led marketing teams for several Pennsylvania financial institutions, including community banks, a large commercial mortgage lender and one of the top three national banks. He most recently founded and served as principal of his own marketing consulting firm.

The $19.3 million, Keene, N.H.-based Cheshire County Federal Credit Union, a division of the $600 million, Gardner, Mass.-based GFA Federal Credit Union, hired Shannon Bartolomucci as assistant vice president/branch manager of its Keene location. Bartolomucci brings over 20 years of experience in the banking industry. As part of the management team, she will play a key role in the day-to-day operations of the Keene location, helping to engage with members and the community by becoming a trusted, familiar face providing financial assistance and member service.

MIDWEST

The $3.3 billion, Eau Claire, Wis.-based Royal Credit Union hired Hossam Selim as branch manager of its Hudson, Wis., branch. Selim’s new role will include maintaining highly engaged team members to ensure superior levels of service to members while staying engaged in the Hudson community to live and promote Royal’s core values. Selim has been in banking for a total of nine years, the last seven as a branch manager. He started as a teller at TCF Bank after high school, working his way up to branch manager, and was also a branch manager at Bank of America in Minnesota as well as at Beal Bank in Edina, Minn.

Tamara McGovern joined the leadership team of the $657 million, Midland, Mich.-based Members First Credit Union as vice president of finance. McGovern officially joined the Members First team in June 2020, transitioning into the vice president role upon the retirement of Chuck Otto on Dec. 31. She brings 25 years of experience in the finance and banking industry. Previously, she owned an investment advisory company, Briza Capital Advisors, and served as principal of Shay Financial Services, Inc., where she focused on asset/liability management and balance sheet strategy. McGovern has been involved with Members First and other credit unions her entire career, serving as a consultant helping to make decisions to ensure stability in the companies’ financials. She is also a partner of Omni Tech International, Ltd., a 36-year-old business in Midland.

SOUTH

The $1.85 billion, Daleville, Ala.-based All In Credit Union added 17-year real estate industry veteran Shelley Smith to its board of directors. Smith began her professional career working for Pelican Real Estate and Development in Northwest Florida, leading its rebranding campaign in 2008 and serving as a member of the board of directors. After Century 21 purchased Pelican Real Estate, she managed a smooth transition for agents, earning the Centurion and Master’s Award for her leadership performance and contributions to the company.

The $798 million, Tuscaloosa, Ala.-based AlabamaONE Credit Union announced four employee moves.

Audrey O’Neal, a member of AlabamaONE’s leadership team, was named chief people officer. O’Neal joined AlabamaONE in 2018 from the University of Alabama’s human resources area to lead human resources for the credit union. She will continue to lead human resources, and will now also oversee all of the AlabamaONE team’s internal development and team engagement.

Martin Houston, also a member of the leadership team, was named senior director of membership growth. Houston joined AlabamaONE in 2016 to establish and lead the credit union’s newly-formed insurance agency, AlabamaONE Agency. He previously operated his own insurance agency, was initially on AlabamaONE’s newly-constituted board of directors and began to oversee all of the credit union’s financial wellness activities last year. Houston will continue to oversee all of AlabamaONE’s insurance activities as it expands its operations with the purchase of the First Bank of Linden; oversee all financial wellness seminars, training and conferences; and provide guidance for all external business development activities for AlabamaONE.

Jacquie Johnson was named the leader of all outreach efforts. Johnson joined AlabamaONE in early 2019 and quickly established the credit union as a leader in providing financial education to its members, local non-profits, churches and community groups. She leads the AlabamaONE Foundation efforts and will now lead all of AlabamaONE’s community outreach activities.

Brittany Floyd was named senior director of business development. Floyd has held several key roles within AlabamaONE, most recently leading its strategic business development efforts. In addition to serving as the primary contact for businesses that are a part of the AlabamaONE family, she is responsible for identifying new potential businesses throughout the state to join the credit union. She will also oversee the business development work within the 23 Alabama Rural Electric Cooperatives.

The $3.2 billion, Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Truliant Federal Credit Union promoted Sherri Thomas to chief administrative officer. Thomas was previously chief human resources and organizational development officer. In her new role, Thomas will be responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of Truliant’s diversity, inclusion and equity program. She will continue to have responsibility for all human resource areas, recruiting, training, organizational development, community engagement, government affairs and Truliant at Work, the credit union’s B2B workplace benefits program. Thomas joined Truliant in 2010 as regional director of its central region of member financial centers. In 2013, she became vice president of member experience for Truliant’s member contact center and member channel support. In 2017, she was named SVP of human resources and organizational development, leading efforts that increased the credit union’s minimum hourly wage to $15. She is a Triad Business Journal 2019 Outstanding Women in Business winner and a member of the Greensboro, N.C., Chamber of Commerce board of directors. She also serves as a member of the Bryan School Board of Advisors at her alma mater, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Elon University’s Black Life Advisory Council.

VENDORS

Filene Research Institute in Madison, Wis., hired Robin Brulé as fellow of philanthropic partnerships to help Filene elevate its philanthropic partnerships and promote economic opportunity and well-being. Brulé most recently served as a fellow at the Center for Community Investment at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and as an Annie E. Casey Foundation Children and Family Fellow. Prior to that, she served as chief community engagement officer for Nusenda Federal Credit Union ($3 billion, Albuquerque, N.M.), where she led efforts to deepen the credit union’s commitment to serving the underserved through innovation and cooperative leadership, eventually becoming the recipient of the 2019 Herb Wegner Memorial Outstanding Organization Award. Brulé has held positions as chief strategist for the New Mexico Center for Philanthropic Partnerships, executive director of the Central New Mexico Community College Foundation and director of development for the University of New Mexico Children’s Hospital during her more than 25 years of community leadership.

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