30 Professionals Take On New CU Industry Roles

WEST

The $850 million, Bakersfield, Calif.-based Safe 1 Credit Union hired Tim Spencer as EVP of lending. Spencer brings more than 34 years of credit union industry experience, and most recently served as vice president of consumer lending for the $2.4 billion Valley Strong Credit Union in Bakersfield since 2013. He has also been employed at 1st United Credit Union ($1.2 billion, Pleasanton, Calif.), PrimeWay Federal Credit Union ($652.9 million, Houston) and Firstmark Credit Union ($1.2 billion, San Antonio).

EAST

The $972.3 million, Allentown, Pa.-based First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union elected Ngozi Bell as board director. Bell is a partner in Trans-Sahara Investment Corporation and was a regional advocate appointee in President Obama’s administration for the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy, representing the mid-Atlantic states. Prior to her appointment, Bell was vice president of Birchmere Ventures in Pittsburg, Pa. Prior to that, she was a director at LSI Corp and held senior management and technical roles in Agere System, Lucent Technologies, AT&T Microelectronics and R.W. Beck. She has more than 23 years of experience ranging from core technology development and support, marketing, corporate and business development, and mergers and acquisitions roles. Bell is an adjunct professor of physics, business law and management, a public speaker featured on Voice of America as an expert on Africa-U.S. matters, a TedXLehigh-River speaker and on the board of Med Aditus. Bell has served on First Commonwealth’s associate board since July 2020 and has been a member since 1993.

The $1.7 billion, Lowell, Mass.-based Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union hired two employees and promoted two others.

Grant Alois was hired as vice president – technology operations. Alois joins from Northeast Delta Dental, where he was director of information systems. He has an extensive background in network and technical services, and holds certifications under Amazon Web Services (AWS), CompTIA and ITIL v3.

Philip Manuel was hired as vice president – loan servicing. Manuel joins with more than 20 years of experience at financial institutions. Most recently, he held the title of vice president of loan servicing, collections and post-closing manager at Cambridge Savings Bank. His expertise lies in residential, commercial and home equity operating procedures as well as accounting and finance. Manual holds multiple degrees, certifications and licenses including an MBA in finance from Bentley College, Certificate in Management Information Systems from the New England Banking Institute, a master’s in English language and literature from the University of Calicut, South India, and licenses in Life and Health Insurance, NASD Series 6, 7, 63 and 65.

George Villaras was promoted to vice president – compliance. Villaras has been with the credit union for 30 years, most recently as assistant vice president – financial risk management. During his time at Jeanne D’Arc, he has also served in mortgage processing, operations and as CRA officer. He currently serves as chairman of the board for the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce.

Meike Doyle was promoted to assistant treasurer – financial risk management. Doyle joined the credit union in 2007 as a loan servicing representative and title clerk. She joined Jeanne D’Arc’s financial risk management team in 2013 and was promoted to supervisor in 2017. She holds a Bank Secrecy Act Compliance Specialist Certification.

The $3.8 billion Jovia Financial Credit Union in Westbury, N.Y., hired two new executives.

Karen Smith, CFA was hired as CFO. Prior to joining Jovia, Smith worked at the $4.1 billion Municipal Credit Union in New York, N.Y., as CFO. She has also held executive financial positions at three other credit unions during her career, as well as several banks and fintech companies, including owning her own business in the financial services industry. Smith holds an MBA from Stanford University and a certification as a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Robert M. Zotti was hired as chief strategy officer. Zotti brings over 20 years of strategic planning, business development and finance experience at various companies, where he drove and executed strategic initiatives. Before joining Jovia, he was most recently with Popular Bank in New York City, where he served as director of finance and strategy. He also held the positions of vice president of strategy and vice president of financial planning and analysis at JPMorgan & Co. Inc. in New York City, and was CFO and a founding member of Care Management International. In addition, he held executive level positions with organizations including Solares, Inc., Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. and Nabisco Foods, Inc.

The $642 million GFA Federal Credit Union in Gardner, Mass., promoted Rebecca Caranci to vice president/member resource services. Caranci has over 15 years of experience in the banking industry and has been with GFA for over four years. Beginning her tenure as branch manager of GFA’s Ashburnham, Mass., location, she quickly took on the responsibility of overseeing the entirety of the Keene, N.H.-based Cheshire County Federal Credit Union’s operations and compliance. Caranci managed the Keene team through a transition with GFA, playing a critical role in GFA’s ability to merge with CCFCU in 2019. Once the transition was complete, she led GFA’s Pearson Blvd. branch in Gardner, and was then promoted to assistant vice president/branch manager.

MIDWEST

The $1.1 billion, Papillion, Neb.-based Cobalt Credit Union announced three new hires.

Cody Wragge was hired as a senior commercial lender. Wragge has been in banking for more than eight years, which includes previous service at Cobalt as a commercial lender and commercial credit analyst. Most recently, he served as vice president of commercial lending at an Omaha, Neb.-area community bank. In his new role, Wragge will develop and maintain the credit union’s commercial loan portfolio.

Ana Deabreu was hired as a mortgage loan officer. Deabreu has been in banking for more than seven years, specializing in lending and personal banking. Previously, she worked in direct and indirect lending functions at another area financial institution. In her new role, Deabreu will serve the mortgage financing needs of members and potential members.

Jideofor “Frank” Ezeuzoh was hired as a commercial lender. Ezeuzoh has worked for more than six years in sales and has previous experience in customer banking. Prior to coming to Cobalt, he worked as a regional recruiter for a local insurance company.

The $2.9 billion Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union in Clinton Township, Mich., appointed Christina Ayar and Denise Brooks-Williams to its board of directors.

Ayar brings 13 years of experience in leading fund development and annual giving initiatives at educational institutions, including the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. As the director of the Macomb Community College Foundation and chief fundraiser, she oversees all MCC Foundation restricted and endowed scholarship program funds, events and communications, the board of directors and the board of community directors.

Brooks-Williams brings more than 25 years of health care leadership experience, including operations, finance, business development, marketing and program implementation. As SVP, CEO, of Henry Ford Health System, North Market, she oversees the system’s $1.1 billion operation located in southeastern Michigan’s six northern counties, including 5,000 employees and physicians. She is responsible for growth, market performance, service expansion and consumer experience.

The $1.6 billion, St. Paul, Minn.-based Hiway Credit Union appointed Jeff Schwalen board chair. Schwalen takes over for Patrick McGuiness, whose three-year term as chair expired. McGuiness, who joined the Hiway board of directors in April 2011, will continue as a board member. Schwalen served as Hiway’s CEO for 10 years, retiring in 2013, and was appointed to the Hiway board in January 2014.

The $3.5 billion, Muskego, Wis.-based Corporate Central Credit Union hired Lynda Vice as an ALM and investment analyst. In her new role, Vice will perform balance sheet analysis for current and potential members, help manage investment accounting programs, and provide support and consulting to member credit unions on the ALM programs. Additionally, Vice will provide economic, market and sector analysis; support sales of investment and loan products; aid member security safekeeping and assist with monthly reporting for the board and Asset Liability Committee (ALCO). She spent the last 10 years of her career working as a controller at a community bank in Alaska.

SOUTH

The $6.3 billion, Melbourne, Fla.-based Space Coast Credit Union announced 11 role changes and promotions.

Alan Lewis was named chief information officer and EVP. He was previously SCCU’s COO, a position he held since 2017. In his new role, Lewis will provide strategic direction and leadership for SCCU’s information and technology strategy, enterprise project and portfolio management, business applications, operational services and facilities. Lewis joined SCCU in November 2012 as vice president of information services, bringing with him over 20 years of management experience in the financial services industry.

Hilary Eisbrenner, CPA, was promoted from SVP to EVP, CFO. She joined SCCU in 2016 as vice president of accounting and finance, and was promoted in 2017 to SVP and CFO with expanded responsibilities for collections. In her new role, Eisbrenner will assume oversight for the credit union’s compliance and risk management disciplines. She is a 30-year veteran of the credit union industry, and currently serves on the board of the $6.1 billion, Columbus, Ohio-based Corporate One Federal Credit Union and as chairperson of its enterprise risk management committee.

Greg DeRoy was promoted from vice president of member services and e-banking to SVP of member services and e-banking. Starting his SCCU career in July 2004 as branch team leader of the Palm Bay, Fla., Walmart in-store branch, DeRoy has held several positions including branch manager, member service center manager, director of member service centers, and director of member services and e-banking. DeRoy joined SCCU’s executive management team in 2016 when he was promoted to vice president.

Linda Hart was promoted from vice president of human resources to SVP of human resources. She joined SCCU in 2015 with over 20 years of experience. In 2018, Hart’s training responsibilities expanded to include both retail training and leadership development.

Shane Hoyle was promoted from vice president, member experience to SVP of member experience. Hoyle joined SCCU in 2012 as branch manager of the credit union’s airport branch in Melbourne and was quickly promoted to retail director for Florida’s Brevard County. In 2017, Hoyle joined SCCU’s executive management team as vice president, retail services for Central Florida. In his new role, Hoyle will oversee member experience, business services and SCCU’s retail branch network of 62 branches along Florida’s east coast, from Flagler to Miami-Dade counties.

Christopher Matthews was promoted to SVP of card services. Matthews joined SCCU in 1998 as branch manager of the Pembroke Pines, Fla., branch. Following a merger of SCCU and Eastern Financial Florida Credit Union, Matthews accepted the role of retail director for Florida’s Broward and Palm Beach Counties. In 2015, he was promoted to vice president of retail services for those counties, and to vice president of card services/business intelligence in 2016.

Gary Prager assumed the new role of vice president of lending from vice president, consumer sales. He joined SCCU in 2007 as an express sales associate, and advanced through the ranks as manager in 2011, director in 2013 and vice president in 2016. In his new role, Prager will drive the credit union’s strategy for consumer and mortgage loan products and pricing.

Kimberly Tyree assumed the new role of vice president of consumer sales from vice president of retail services – Central Florida. She joined SCCU in February 2007 as branch supervisor of the Ormond Beach, Fla., branch, was promoted to retail director for Florida’s Volusia County in 2012 and became vice president in 2019. In her new role, Tyree will be responsible for all mortgage sales, direct and indirect auto lending and loan processing, as well as the origination of all new memberships and deposit accounts.

Beverly Smith was promoted from assistant vice president, retail services – North Brevard County to vice president, retail services – Central Florida. She joined SCCU in 2006 as market development manager for Florida’s South Brevard and Indian River Counties. In July 2009, she was promoted to branch manager and then retail director in December 2012. In her new role, Smith will oversee the branches and membership within the credit union’s entire Central Florida market, including Brevard, Flagler, Indian River and Volusia counties. She holds over 25 years of financial services experience.

Daniel Bryant was promoted to assistant vice president, retail services – North Brevard. Bryant joined SCCU in 2007 as a member service specialist at SCCU’s Baytree branch in Melbourne. In 2010, Bryant became branch supervisor of the Vero Beach, Fla., branch, and in 2014, was promoted to branch manager of the Vero Beach and Miracle Mile (in Coral Gables, Fla.) branches. In 2018, he became retail market manager for Indian River County. In his new role, Bryant will oversee 11 branches in Northern Brevard County.

Andrea Gordon was promoted to assistant vice president, member service center. Starting her SCCU career in 2005 as a contact center associate, Gordon has held several positions during her 15 years with the credit union, including contact center associate II and member service center assistant manager. Most recently, Gordon served as SCCU’s member service center manager, a position she held since 2010. In her new role, Gordon will oversee strategies to improve service delivery, efficiency and productivity in SCCU’s member service center.

The $2.69 billion, Tampa, Fla.-based GTE Financial Federal Credit Union promoted Jeff Williams to vice president of CUSOs and investments. Williams has over 24 years of experience in banking and has been with GTE Financial for the past year and a half, serving as GTE Investment Group’s assistant vice president. He has held senior leadership roles within investment firms, private banking establishments and insurance companies throughout the Midwest and New England. In his new role, Williams will continue working with GTE Investment Group while also leading both the GTE Insurance and GTE Title teams.

CUSOS

The Trevose, Pa.-based business lending CUSO Member Business Financial Services hired Michael Himmel as a credit union relationship manager in the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. metro area. Himmel has worked in commercial lending since 2003 with a focus on developing diverse commercial lending portfolios, including multifamily, office, credit tenant, mixed use and owner-occupied financing options. He previously served as SVP of commercial lending at a credit union, in addition to his recent experience with a business lending CUSO. He holds an MBA in finance from the University of Baltimore and is a graduate of East Carolina University’s RMA Introduction to Commercial Lending and Advanced Commercial Lending.

VENDORS

Intelligent identity security company Sontiq hired Jeremy Haas as chief technology officer. In his new role, Haas will lead the company’s technology strategy and innovation office, and set the strategic direction and implementation of Sontiq’s technology initiatives, supporting a broad range of identity monitoring, restoration and response products. Haas spent 24 years at the CIA and U.S. Air Force supporting intelligence activities as a cybersecurity expert. While at the CIA’s Center for Cyber Intelligence within the Directorate of Digital Innovation, he led and participated in cyber operations, engineering and analysis activities in support of intelligence, counter intelligence and covert operations. Immediately prior to joining Sontiq, Haas was chief information security officer and chief technology officer at LookingGlass Cyber Solutions, a cyber threat intelligence company.

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