CUs Announce Hires, Promotions & Organizational Realignments

WEST

The $1 billion, Bremerton, Wash.-based Kitsap Credit Union hired Andrea Lucky as vice president of human resources. In her new role, she will be responsible for implementing human resources policies and programs for the organization. She will also be in charge of recruitment, onboarding and employee services. She brings over 25 years of human resources experience.

EAST

The $919 million, Allentown, Pa.-based First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union hired a new employee and promoted another.

James Gagliano was hired as chief experience officer and will lead First Commonwealth’s Member Experience organization, Investment Services CUSO, Corporate Social Responsibility and WE Thrive Foundation. In his new role, Gagliano will also provide strategic direction and leadership for its 11 financial centers, contact center, investment services, corporate social responsibility and employer partner development, and serve as executive director of its foundation. Gagliano brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience, having started his career as a financial advisor and transitioning to the banking industry in 1999. He served as CRA officer for many years at a bank and currently serves as the finance chair for Pennsylvania’s West Chester Salvation Army.

Karla Trumbauer was promoted to chief information and technology officer and will lead First Commonwealth’s Information & Technology organization. In her new role, she will provide strategic direction and leadership for information and technology strategy, enterprise project and portfolio management, business applications, product management, foundational technology services, data/analytics and facilities. Trumbauer joined First Commonwealth in early 2018 as vice president of information technology and holds more than 20 years of experience in technology, information and project management.

The $7.5 billion PSECU in Harrisburg, Pa., appointed six employees to new positions within its executive leadership team as part of an organizational realignment.

Carol Noblit, former vice president of finance, was named CFO. She will be responsible for leading the credit union’s future-oriented financial strategy by proactively identifying opportunities, providing critical information and solutions, championing financial analysis for fiscally sound strategic and operating decisions, and expanding focus on strategic procurement.

Sandra Holzgen, former vice president of human resources, was named chief human resource officer. She will be responsible for fostering an exceptional employee experience by serving as a trusted partner and advisor for the enterprise. Holzgen and her team will introduce a strategic HR business partner approach to ensure talent optimization throughout the enterprise.

Barb Bowker, former vice president of marketing and membership development, was named chief member experience officer. She will be responsible for creating a cohesive, differentiated and personalized member experience by applying PSECU’s digital-first model, and utilizing member data and feedback to cultivate a combined culture of sales and exceptional member service.

Francis Pudner, former general counsel and vice president of legal services, was named chief risk officer. Pudner will assume oversight of internal audit, enterprise risk management, corporate governance, legal services and BSA/AML.

Bill Zysk, former chief credit officer, credit services, was named chief revenue growth and lending officer. His team will continue to concentrate on organic loan growth and loss prevention while also placing additional focus on identifying and developing new and innovative revenue and profitability opportunities.

Rick Long, former vice president of information technology services, was named chief information officer. He will continue to provide solutions, support, research and the highly reliable, secure, underlying systems necessary for PSECU to produce a frictionless member experience.

MIDWEST

The $7 billion CEFCU in Peoria, Ill., announced four promotions.

Mark Hoffmire was promoted to COO effective May 1. Hoffmire has been an employee of CEFCU for 40 years and currently serves as SVP of lending. In his new role, he will direct the credit union’s lending, marketing and California initiatives. Hoffmire is a past board member of the Greater Peoria YMCA and currently serves on the board of Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois.

20-year CEFCU employee Doug Hanley was promoted to SVP of lending from his current position of vice president of business services. In his new role, he will oversee all aspects of lending at the credit union including mortgages, consumer loans and business services, as well as collections, business deposits/treasury services and business development. Hanley is currently on the board of the Center for Prevention of Abuse in Peoria.

Paul Donahoe was promoted to vice president of business services from his current role of business services credit operations manager. Donahoe joined CEFCU in 2010 and has served in diverse lending roles. He also serves as director for FamilyCore in Peoria.

Brandon Carlson was promoted to business services credit operation manager. Carlson has been with CEFCU for 13 years and has served as a member service representative, business credit analyst, business loan relationship coordinator and assistant business credit operation manager, according to his LinkedIn page.

The $3.46 billion, Eau Claire, Wis.-based Royal Credit Union promoted two employees and hired another.

Timm Sandstrom was promoted to vice president of business lending and regional manager in the Chippewa Valley, a role newly-created to enhance the business lending department that has shown immense growth over the past few years. Sandstrom will lead a team of business loan officers in the Chippewa Valley and surrounding markets. He started with Royal in December 2011 as vice president – business lending officer. Sandstrom currently serves on the Dove Healthcare Foundation and Momentum West boards, both in Eau Claire. Prior to working at Royal, he served as board chair for a local Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Program in Southern Wisconsin.

Joe Wathke was promoted to accounting manager. In his new role, he will be responsible for leading the accounting staff and assisting the vice president of finance in maintaining procedures that result in accurate financial records, operational efficiency and financial reporting. Wathke has been with Royal since May 2002 as a high school Co-Op Student, and worked in a variety of roles before joining the accounting team in 2011. He currently serves as treasurer for the Altoona Area Foundation and the Altoona Lions Club in Altoona, Wis.

Anthony Cole was hired as branch manager of Royal’s River Falls branch. Cole’s responsibilities will include managing day-to-day operations of the branch for maximum efficiency, while simultaneously cultivating and maintaining member and business relations, as well as overseeing team member development. Cole has been in the banking industry since August 2017 when he started at TCF Bank and worked his way up to assistant banking center manager. While at TCF, he was responsible for maintaining smooth operation of the teller line and account opening offices.

SOUTH

The $1.6 billion, Frankfort, Ky.-based Commonwealth Credit Union hired Taylor Kearney as director of corporate project management. In his new position, he will oversee and lead projects through the planning, execution and completion phases. He will also manage budgets and resources, and drive execution throughout its life cycle. Kearney most recently served at the $1.2 billion, Berrien Springs, Mich.-based Honor Credit Union as a project manager and senior project manager.

The $7.6 million, El Paso, Texas-based El Paso Area Teachers Federal Credit Union hired Kiana Wright as vice president of consumer lending. In her new role, she will be in charge of planning, organizing and coordinate the activities of employees engaged in consumer lending. She brings over 20 years of credit union and community lending experience, and most recently served as vice president of consumer lending at the $2 billion Community First Credit Union in Jacksonville, Fla.

CUSOS

CO-OP Financial Services appointed two credit union CEOs, Bob Falk and Greg Mitchell, to its board of directors, where they will oversee the CUSO’s transition from a reseller to an ecosystem provider of payments technology and solutions uniquely designed for credit unions.

Falk joined the West Lafayette, Ind.-based Purdue Federal Credit Union in 2008, becoming the fifth president/CEO of the credit union. During his tenure, Purdue hit a milestone in 2016 by reaching $1 billion in assets – the credit union now has $1.4 billion in assets. Prior to joining Purdue, Falk held leadership positions with Elevations Credit Union ($2.8 billion, Boulder, Colo.) and CUNA Mutual Group.

Greg Mitchell joined First Tech Federal Credit Union ($14.4 billion, San Jose, Calif.) in 2012. Mitchell has held president/CEO positions with financial institutions since 2001, previously serving in that capacity for Pacific Trust Bank and First PacTrust Bancorp, and California National Bank. In 1995, he founded the West Coast office of Hovde Financial, an investment banking, asset management and private equity firm.

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