9 Credit Unions, 2 CUSOs Reveal New Hires & Promotions

EAST

The $305 million, Fairhaven, Mass.-based Alltrust Credit Union hired Sherice Riel as a mortgage loan originator. Riel has over nine years of retail banking and lending experience, and most recently served as a mortgage loan originator at Milford Federal Bank. She is also a co-organizer of the Women Strong event in Rhode Island, which donates all funds to Gloria Gemma, a Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.

MIDWEST

The $3.7 billion Royal Credit Union in Eau Claire, Wis., hired one new employee and promoted two others.

Gretchen Hudacek was hired as vice president, business loan officer. In her new role, Hudacek’s responsibilities include developing business relationships and delivering financial expertise with client-centric solutions to business members. She previously worked as a credit analyst, commercial loan officer and market president, and holds a master’s degree in finance from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn. Hudacek is also an active member in her community, serving on boards for Eau Claire United Soccer and Western Dairyland’s Women’s Business Conference, along with being a committee member for the Eau Claire Community Foundation and Women’s Giving Circle.

Adam Kastendieck was promoted to infrastructure manager. In his new role, Kastendieck’s responsibilities include leading the IT team responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining Royal’s infrastructure systems and services to consistently provide excellent service to Royal members. He joined Royal in April 2017 as an infrastructure engineer and was promoted to the role of senior infrastructure engineer in December 2017. Kastendieck is currently enrolled in Royal’s Exploring Leadership program and serves on the Summit planning committee.

Tim Sass was promoted to business banking officer. In his new role, Sass’s responsibilities include building relationships with new and existing business members by identifying and serving their financial needs with appropriate products and services. He is assuming the role following the retirement of 17-year Royal team member and former vice president – business loan officer Bob Todd. Sass joined Royal as branch manager of the New Richmond, Wis., office in 2018. He served as the St. Croix Valley liaison for Royal Young Professionals, is the current vice president of the board of directors for Wisconsin’s Willow River and Kinnickinnic State Parks, and is a special consultant for the Riverwood Nature Center in Star Prairie, Wis.

The $1.4 billion, Bloomington, Ind.-based IU Credit Union announced one new hire and two promotions.

Josh Hall was hired as branch manager of the Winslow Branch in Bloomington. Hall comes to IUCU with 25 years of previous banking experience. He most recently served as branch manager for Fifth Third Bank, where he was employed for 19 years. He also previously held the position of loan officer/personal banker at First Financial Bank in Terre Haute, Ind., and manager of CitiFinancial, now known as One Main Financial.

Cameron Tullis was promoted to vice president, risk management. Tullis has worked for IUCU since 2005 and served in several leadership positions, including branch supervisor, assistant branch manager, and most recently, operational risk manager.

Kurt Jourdan was promoted to mortgage origination manager. Jourdan has worked for IUCU since 2008, when he was hired as a teller.

During his time at IUCU, he has served in several leadership positions, including branch supervisor, assistant branch manager, and most recently, Winslow Branch Manager. Jourdan currently serves as treasurer of the board for the Leadership Bloomington Monroe County Alumni Association, and recently joined the board of the Monroe County History Center in Bloomington.

The $5.4 billion Veridian Credit Union in Waterloo, Iowa hired Michelle York as a mortgage loan officer. York previously served as a senior mortgage loan officer at HomeServices Lending, LLC.

The $882 million, Odon, Ind.-based Crane Credit Union promoted Nichole Garner to investment services coordinator. In her new role, she will be responsible for providing support to Crane Investment Services, and working closely with Financial Advisor Casey Madsen and the credit union’s marketing department to promote investment services. Garner has been with Crane for seven years and most recently served as a member service representative at the Franklin, Ind., branch.

SOUTH

South Carolina Federal Insurance Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the $2.3 billion, North Charleston, S.C.-based South Carolina Federal Credit Union, hired Amanda Mead as a senior insurance advisor. In her new role, Mead will work with clients to ensure they have the right insurance solutions to fit their family’s lifestyle and needs, evaluating coverage and providing recommendations for vehicle, property and business insurance. Prior to joining Insurance Solutions, she was a Licensed Property & Casualty Agent with an agency in Greenville, S.C.

Tinker Federal Credit Union ($5.5 billion, Oklahoma City, Okla.) hired Laura Burdick as assistant vice president and branch manager of its Enid, Okla., and Vance Air Force Base, Okla., branches. In her new role, Burdick will direct the operational and personnel activities of her branches by using her management experience and expertise to develop her team to their highest potential. She comes to TFCU following an extensive career in banking and finance, and most recently served as the branch manager/assistant vice president at Bank of the West’s Enid branch.

The $13.9 million, Waco, Texas-based 1st University Credit Union hired Kevin Hood as an EVP overseeing the information systems and compliance departments. Hood began his credit union career at 1st University as information technology coordinator before joining the Cornerstone Credit Union League’s information systems team in 2003. He most recently served at Cornerstone Resources in Plano, Texas, where he was a senior IT consultant since 2006. Hood is a Certified Information Systems Auditor, and holds MCP and MCSA certifications.

The $656 million, Baton Rouge, La.-based EFCU Financial Credit Union promoted Murlonda Webb to the newly-created position of vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion effective July 5, reflecting her expanded role as chairperson of the credit union’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. In her new role, Webb will lead the efforts to grow a diverse and inclusive workplace via talent acquisition, retention and outreach to talent in underrepresented communities. She will also review all policies, procedures and marketing efforts to ensure equitable strategies are achieved and the credit union’s culture of inclusion is enhanced. Webb completed the Diversity and Inclusion certificate program with Cornell University in June 2021 and has been with EFCU Financial for nine years.

CUSOS

Michigan Business Connection in Ann Arbor, Mich., announced two promotions.

Bridget Lobzun was promoted to senior loan servicing administrator. Lobzun joined MBC in 2015 and previously served as a senior loan servicer. In her new role, she will oversee the daily servicing of department activities and the development of loan servicers.

Brandy Telfer was promoted to director of credit union growth and development. Telfer joined MBC in 2011, and previously served as an application manager and senior business lending manager. In her new role, she will oversee the training and development of partner credit unions, manage lending personnel responsible for processing credit union-generated loan referrals and ensure overall satisfaction of credit union subscribers.

Employee benefit solutions CUSO InterLutions, LLC hired Ken Meyer as an employee benefits executive. In his new role, Meyer will proactively develop and solidify relationships with new and existing credit union clients to expand the CUSO’s health care program. He will also seek out collaborative opportunities with progressive credit unions and industry-leading partners to continue the growth of the exclusive insurance captive that InterLutions and its founding credit union members launched in 2015. Meyer’s career has focused on consulting and/or advisory roles, starting in direct sales of life insurance and mutual funds for Prudential. From there he entered the employee benefits space, serving as part-owner in Paradigm MGU and then running his own employee benefits consulting company for nine years.

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