12 Credit Unions Appoint Employees to New Positions

WEST

The $1.4 billion Bay Federal Credit Union in Capitola, Calif., welcomed back Brooke Morley, who is re-joining the credit union as vice president of asset management. In her new role, Morley will work closely with the consumer and mortgage lending teams to support the credit union’s lending programs, and also provide guidance and strategy for its automation and efficiency objectives. Morley previously worked for Bay Federal from 2008-2014, when she served as assistant vice president of lending. In summer 2020, she began working with Bay Federal again as a consultant to support its lending initiatives that arose during the coronavirus pandemic. Now, she’s re-joining the credit union full-time.

The $2 billion, Honolulu-based Hawaii State Federal Credit Union hired two new financial advisors to Hawaii State Investment Services, a division of the credit union that provides investment, retirement and financial planning services through CUSO Financial Services, L.P.  Michael G. Horton, CRPS and Daniel M. Krase will provide financial advice on investment and insurance strategies for members interested in retirement planning, wealth building, asset transfer to future generations and more.

Horton, who will service the Kaneohe and Salt Lake branches as a senior financial advisor, has nearly 20 years of financial planning experience, specializing in retirement planning, life insurance, long-term care and portfolio management. Prior to joining Hawaii State FCU, Horton was part of the investments team at First Hawaiian Bank, where he helped clients with financial planning needs for 18 years. Horton holds his Series 7, 65 and 66 securities registrations as well as life and health insurance licenses.

Krase, who will service the Alii and Kaimuki branches as a financial advisor, joins Hawaii State FCU with more than 17 years of experience in the financial service industry. He was most recently at J.P Morgan Chase, where he spent 10 years working closely with attorneys on financial management for clients dealing with trusts, estates and family dissolution. Krase began his career at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange as a trader in the equity market before making his transition to financial planning. He holds his Series 7 and 66 securities licenses, as well as Hawaii life insurance license.

EAST

The $1 million, Washington, D.C.-based Department of Labor Federal Credit Union hired Hina Khalid as CFO. In her new role, she will be in charge of coordination of all financial audits, and will lead the accounting and finance staff. She previously served as assistant director of financial affairs for Purdue University and strategic project manager for Tipmont REMC in the Lafayette, Ind., area.

The $1.2 billion, Charlottesville, Va.-based UVA Community Credit Union hired Joe Raichel as chief lending officer. In his new role, he will support the credit union’s strategic direction of consumer, indirect and real estate lending, as well as business lending and services. Raichel brings over 23 years of financial services industry experience in consumer and commercial lending/banking, and has previously led teams, as large as 35 members, of commercial bankers providing credit, deposit, treasury and other business services to businesses across Virginia. He currently serves on the PVCC Foundation Board as vice chair and sits on the Governance and Capital Campaign Committees. He also serves the Greater Charlottesville Habitat for Humanity on the Capital Campaign Committee.

The $2.3 billion Chartway Federal Credit Union in Virginia Beach, Va., promoted two employees.

Rob Keatts was promoted to chief strategy and information officer. Keatts joined Chartway in 2016 as chief information officer, setting the strategic direction for information technology functions, including digital banking and services, network operations, desktop applications, information security and technology platforms. He also led Chartway’s project management and business intelligence functions. In his new role, Keatts will continue to lead these areas of business while also partnering with Chartway’s board and senior leadership team to support the organization’s strategic planning efforts. Previously, Keatts worked at the $2.9 billion Grow Financial Federal Credit Union in Tampa, Fla., as vice president of information technology, and has also held strategic leadership positions at Mary Washington Healthcare, Bon Secours and Capital One.

Elizabeth Short was promoted to SVP of marketing. Short joined Chartway in 2019 with more than 20 years of experience driving business results in areas including brand development, traditional and digital advertising, PR and crisis communications. In her new role, Short will join Chartway’s corporate planning team, serving as a key contributor for corporate and strategic planning. Before joining Chartway, she worked as vice president of digital marketing for Meridian Group, and has worked for companies including Launch Interactive, Homes.com, The Washington Post, Newsweek Interactive and the Martin Agency.

The $293 million, Fairhaven, Mass.-based Southern Mass Credit Union hired Loren J. Sarno as a commercial lending officer. Sarno has several years of commercial lending and small business relationship experience. Her most recent role was as small business relationship manager with Santander Bank.

The $800 million, Pottstown, Pa.-based Diamond Credit Union hired Jennifer McKee as vice president, COO. McKee has over 25 years of experience in the areas of credit card growth, risk mitigation and fraud. In her new role, she will lead Diamond’s operational departments to ensure the highest level of member service, and be responsible for the overall management of support services, risk management and facilities. Most recently, McKee was employed as director of operations, authorizations and fraud for Genesis Financial Solutions in Akron, Ohio. Prior to Genesis, she was with Signet Jewelers, Inc., where for her last three years, she served as vice president, in-house credit authorizations and fraud. McKee earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Akron School of Law and was admitted to the Ohio Bar.

MIDWEST

The $1 billion, Toledo, Ohio-based Directions Credit Union hired Brian Epstein as chief experience officer. In his new role, he will work closely with members of leadership and be responsible for the development and execution of strategic initiatives to achieve service excellence goals.

The $3.1 billion, Muskego, Wis.-based Corporate Central Credit Union hired Khachutar Arutyunyan as a software engineer. In this role, Arutyunyan will create, code, test, debug, maintain and troubleshoot complex applications to meet business requirements, and design and develop business intelligence systems and database systems. He will also design and maintain front-end user interfaces and provide support to end users to identify complex problems and recommend appropriate resolutions. Arutyunyan brings over five years of IT experience in software engineering. He started his career as a game developer and switched to front-end software engineering, working in start-ups.

The $2.1 billion Together Credit Union in St. Louis, Mo., hired Pier Yvette Alsup as its first chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer. In her new role, Alsup will lead the credit union’s commitment to an equitable, inclusive work environment where diversity is celebrated, valued and enriches personal and organizational growth. She will design initiatives to identify inequities within the organization, implement policies that overcome barriers to success, foster an inclusive and engaging culture, and develop diverse recruiting and hiring practices. Additionally, Alsup will sponsor the credit union’s Employee Resource Groups and lead the credit union’s Diversity & Inclusion Council as its founding member. Alsup joined Together, formerly Anheuser-Busch Employees’ Credit Union, in 1990 as SVP of marketing and communications, where she led strategic marketing initiatives until 2015. She then served as the credit union’s chief community engagement and social responsibility officer from 2015-2020, when she established the Together Foundation, which she continues to direct in her new role.

The $5.12 billion Veridian Credit Union in Waterloo, Iowa promoted Shawna Matz to the position of chief people officer. Matz has worked at Veridian for 24 years and was previously the vice president of talent development. She serves on the board of directors for Community United Child Care Centers and Preschool based in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

SOUTH

The $7.6 million, El Paso, Texas-based El Paso Area Teachers Federal Credit Union hired Charles Trimbath as the vice president of information technology. In his new role, he will be responsible for directing and controlling the electronic functions of the credit union. He will also be in charge of future technological innovations and mitigation strategies. Trimbath most recently served in a network support role for the El Paso Center for Children for 12 years, according to his LinkedIn page.

Oklahoma’s Credit Union ($650 million, Oklahoma City) President/CEO Mark Kelly announced his plans to retire in April 2021. Kelly’s tenure spans more than four decades, having first served as an assistant manager before moving into the role of president/CEO in 1981. Under his leadership, the credit union grew from $12 million in assets and 6,400 members in 1981 to more than $650 million in assets and over 47,000 members. He also served on the board of directors for Credit Union Shared Branching for the last 26 years and is a founding member of the ATM Zone and First Rate Autos. His experience includes serving on the board of directors for the Oklahoma Credit Union League, Oklahoma State Credit Union and OCUPAC. He was also appointed to the Oklahoma Consumer Credit Commission and the Cornerstone Oklahoma Government Affairs subcommittee. As an advocate and volunteer for Credit Unions for Kids, he helped raise millions in funds for children in need. In addition, he was named the 2014 Cornerstone Credit Union League Professional of the Year.

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