11 Credit Unions Welcome Talent Into New Roles

WEST

The $2 billion, Hollywood, Calif.-based First Entertainment Credit Union hired Shannon Leitch as vice president of commercial lending. Before joining First Entertainment, Leitch served in a variety of commercial banking and private lending group roles, including REM Capital Group, where she was the co-owner and operator of the private, commercial real estate lending firm startup, managing business development, creating loan policy and implementing national marketing campaigns.

Redwood Credit Union ($7.1 billion, Santa Rosa, Calif.) promoted Lonica Furniss to marketing manager. In her new role, Furniss oversees the staff and daily operations of the credit union’s marketing department, including brand and product promotions, advertising, online and other marketing efforts for the North Bay and San Francisco counties RCU serves. She joined RCU in 2011 as a teller in Rohnert Park, Calif., and has since served as marketing and community coordinator, marketing specialist and most recently assistant marketing manager. Furniss works in both RCU’s Napa, Calif., and Santa Rosa administrative offices.

EAST

The $4.7 billion SECU in Linthicum, Md., announced two new hires.

Janelle Burgoyne was hired as SVP, chief risk officer. Burgoyne brings more than 15 years of experience in risk management, legal and compliance, and business strategy, and will be responsible for transforming SECU’s risk culture and overseeing enterprise risk management, fraud, physical security, vendor management, business continuity, legal, compliance, BSA and corporate insurance. Prior to joining SECU, Burgoyne held senior-level roles with USAA, Capital One and the global consulting firm Deloitte & Touche. She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Ind.

Mark Deitz was hired as managing director of mortgage. In the mortgage banking business for nearly two decades, Deitz will be responsible for retail and wholesale residential lending management and strategy, as well as the recruitment of mortgage professionals to SECU. Prior to joining SECU, Deitz was the regional sales leader for Academy Mortgage Corporation in the Mid-Atlantic. He also previously served as managing director of First Savings Mortgage Corporation, and SVP and area sales manager for EagleBank’s residential lending division. Deitz is a Certified Mortgage Banker and Certified Mortgage Advisor, and currently serves on the board of directors for the Mortgage Bankers Association of Metropolitan Washington and Montgomery County Police Foundation in Chevy Chase, Md.

The $1.7 billion Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union in Lowell, Mass., hired Jimmie Denwiddie Jr. as vice president of loan servicing. Denwiddie joins Jeanne D’Arc with over 15 years of loan servicing experience. He most recently served as VP – loan servicing and real estate closing at Lowell Five Bank. He holds an MBA in organizational leadership from New England College in Henniker, N.H., and serves on the board at his church, as a mentor to boys as a Royal Ranger Commander and as an active member of the recreational basketball board in his town.

The $2.2 billion Workers Credit Union in Littleton, Mass., promoted Michael Duffany to SVP of commercial lending. In his new role, he will oversee the business banking division. Duffany most recently served as Workers’ vice president of business relationship management, and previously led business banking divisions in Connecticut and in Central Massachusetts for Berkshire Bank.

The $926 million, Hunt Valley, Md.-based Point Breeze Credit Union hired Michael Fowler as commercial lending officer. In his new role, Fowler will serve as a key part of the lending team, specializing in business loans, advising members, and helping to evaluate and process the best loan packages for Point Breeze’s members throughout central Maryland. He has nearly a decade of experience in the lending and finance industry, with previous experience in commercial real estate brokerage, equipment financing and risk assessment. Most recently, Fowler served as assistant vice president for a large regional bank. Throughout his career, he has taken on roles of increasing responsibility at a number of banking, financial and commercial real estate companies.

The $6.4 billion Hudson Valley Credit Union in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., promoted Jessica Terwilliger to branch manager of the Hopewell Junction branch in Hopewell Junction, N.Y. She most recently served as branch manager for the Beacon branch in Beacon, N.Y., since 2020. She brings eight years of banking experience to her new role, having worked closely with individual and business members to help them achieve their financial goals. She began her career with HVCU in 2012 as a teller supervisor.

MIDWEST

Consumers Credit Union ($1.6 billion, Kalamazoo, Mich.) hired one new employee and promoted another.

Jesse Fraim was hired as manager of the Milham office in Portage, Mich. Fraim brings more than 16 years of experience in customer service and has spent the last eight years working with another financial institution in a variety of roles, most recently as a banking center manager. In his new role, he will supervise and guide all office employees toward their professional goals and continually reach for a high level of member service.

Nathan Dudash will join the investment services team as a financial advisor. As a CUSO Financial Services financial investment advisor, Dudash will assist members in building lasting financial plans to help them achieve their goals. He began his career with Consumers as a teller at the Centre Street office in Portage. From there, Dudash transitioned to a role as a member service representative and then worked as an intern with the investment services team.

Advia Credit Union ($2.6 billion, Parchment, Mich.) announced two new hires.

Daniel Ericks was hired as manager of commercial credit analysis. In his new role, Ericks will oversee all underwriting for commercial lending, as well as coach and develop the credit team. He will also analyze data and provide insights from the commercial credit department to help further strengthen Advia’s offerings and opportunities. Prior to joining Advia, Ericks spent more than seven years at Lake Michigan Credit Union ($10.6 billion, Grand Rapids, Mich.), where he most recently served as commercial credit and operations manager. He began his career as a credit analyst at West Michigan Credit Union ($219 million, Grand Rapids).

Eric Reynolds was hired as assistant manager of commercial credit analysis. In his new role, Reynolds will assist with team management and be responsible for underwriting larger and more complex commercial loan requests. He has nearly five years of experience in commercial loan underwriting and previously served as a credit analyst at Consumers Credit Union.

The $4.7 billion UW Credit Union in Madison, Wis., hired Ralph Buelling as chief information officer. In his new role, Buelling will lead the implementation of strategic information and data services, data analytics and e-commerce technology initiatives, representing the information technology and information systems departments on the organization’s executive management team. He most recently served as chief information officer and vice president of information technology at Dean Health Plan in Madison. Prior to that, he held positions with the Chicago-based Health Care Service Corporation as divisional vice president of business portfolio, executive director of strategy and planning, and executive director of enterprise architecture.

SOUTH

Ascend Federal Credit Union ($3.5 billion, Tullahoma, Tenn.) hired Colby Wilson as corporate communications lead. In his new role, Wilson is responsible for member communications, public relations, content creation and messaging for marketing and internal communications. Wilson brings more than 10 years of media relations leadership experience in Middle Tennessee. Prior to joining Ascend, he was the director of athletic communications at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville. Before that, he was an athletic communications assistant at Lipscomb University in Nashville. He holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Memphis.

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