Credit Union Executives Climb the Career Ladder

WEST

Edwina Suzuki, vice president of administration and human resources for the $331 million, Honolulu-based Hawaii Central Federal Credit Union, received the U.S. Small Business Administration’s District Director’s Award. Suziki was recognized for her role in helping small businesses attain the Payment Protection Program (PPP) loan. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she reached out to Hawaii Central members with business accounts and other small business owners to educate them on the PPP being offered by the federal government and helped these small businesses through the application process.

EAST

Ron Belle, president/CEO for AmeriCU Credit Union ($2.5 billion, Rome, N.Y.), was appointed to the executive committee of Mohawk Valley EDGE (Economic Development Growth Enterprises Corporation), a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to strengthening and growing the economy of New York State’s Mohawk Valley. Belle currently serves on Mohawk Valley EDGE’s board of directors after having been elected for a three-year term in early 2021. He became president/CEO of AmeriCU in May 2020 and previously held the position of chief experience officer for AmeriCU. In addition to his work with Mohawk Valley EDGE, he volunteers and holds leadership positions on several boards of directors, including the American Heart Association’s Syracuse Heart Walk, Onondaga Community College Foundation, CenterState CEO’s Investment Committee and Griffiss Park Landowners Association.

Alltrust Credit Union ($299 million, Fairhaven, Mass.) promoted Shannon Karageorgos to compliance officer. Karageorgos joined Alltrust as compliance coordinator in July 2021 with over 23 years of banking experience. Before joining Alltrust, she served as interim compliance and BSA officer at Independence Bank in East Greenwich, R.I. Her previous roles in the banking industry have also included branch operations manager, vice president retail operations manager and compliance officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for the credit union’s overall compliance program including BSA, savings, loans and operations with applicable rules, regulations and statutory requirements. She will also develop and implement a compliance program and perform primary functions while being conscious of streamlining efforts, cost effectiveness, safety and soundness, and proper maintenance of the internal control structures.

The $868 million Connex Credit Union in North Haven, Conn., hired David Birkins as CFO. In his new role, Birkins will be responsible for managing the accounting and finance, indirect lending, compliance and collections departments. He brings significant executive experience in the financial services sector, having most recently served as COO and CFO for Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank. Previously, Birkins served as EVP and COO at Claremont Savings Bank and before that as EVP and CFO at Union Savings Bank.

MIDWEST

CEFCU ($7.7 billion, Peoria, Ill.) announced four promotions.

Alycia Hightower was promoted to chief people officer. Hightower has been with CEFCU for 29 years and previously served as vice president of human resources. In her new role, she oversees the HR, recruitment, payroll, employee benefits and HR information systems departments, plus their initiatives. She also provides executive-level leadership and guidance for member experience strategy, organizational training, employee development programs and CEFCU’s corporate diversity, equity and inclusion program. Hightower is a board member with the Tri-County Urban League in Peoria and holds the designations of SHRM Certified Professional and Professional in Human Resources.

Tammie Fletcher was promoted to assistant vice president of people operations. Fletcher has been with CEFCU for 33 years and previously served as the benefits administration manager. In her new role, she works closely with the chief people officer to provide direction to the HR and employee benefits departments to recruit, hire and retain qualified individuals. She also works closely with the strategic planning team to provide executive-level leadership and guidance. Fletcher is a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist and Certified Payroll Professional through the American Payroll Association.

Jeff Ambrose was promoted to assistant vice president of business services – Southern Illinois region. Ambrose joined CEFCU in 2006 and was previously the Iles Member Center (Springfield, Ill.) manager/senior business loan officer. In his new role, he manages and grows the Southern Illinois Region commercial portfolio, working closely with the senior management team on strategies to increase membership and market share in order to generate awareness in the new market. Ambrose is a board member with the Springfield Old Capitol Art fair.

Jessica Churchill was promoted to Iles Member Center manager.

The $736 million Members First Credit Union in Midland, Mich., announced three promotions.

Amy Garver was promoted from vice president of operations to COO. In her new role, Garver will focus on elevating the member experience, ensuring Members First processes are optimized by empowering teams to fulfill their purpose of serving members and communities through all channels. She has been with Members First since its merger with Central Michigan Community Federal Credit Union in 2012, and served as assistant vice president of operations at CMCFCU prior to the merger.

Tamara McGovern was promoted from vice president of finance to CFO. In her new role, McGovern will lead the financial affairs of the credit union to ensure outstanding performance, growth, safety and soundness for the organization and members. She joined Members First in 2020 and brings over 25 years of experience in the finance and banking industry.

Marcie Long was promoted from director of strategic development to chief strategy officer. In her new role, Long will focus on cultivating a community that attracts engaged employees who proudly commit to the culture, and ensuring Members First’s strategy, brand and culture align and personify its core values to be trustworthy, caring and enthusiastic. She has over 15 years of credit union experience.

SOUTH

The $3.7 billion, Tullahoma, Tenn.-based Ascend Federal Credit Union promoted Renee Crosslin to vice president of talent development and culture. In her new role, Crosslin will be responsible for helping oversee the credit union’s leadership development, talent management, and culture and inclusion initiatives. She brings 22 years of training and financial services experience, and joined Ascend in 2008 as a sales and service trainer. In 2013, she was promoted to assistant vice president of training and development. Before that, Crosslin spent eight years in sales and service roles with financial services companies in the South. She holds an MBA in data analytics from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville.

The $2.4 billion, Dunedin, Fla.-based Achieva Credit Union promoted Susan Lacey to regional market president, giving her responsibility for an area that stretches along Florida’s west coast from Bradenton to Fort Myers and Estero. Lacey’s responsibilities in her new role expand her focus more to strategy and growth initiatives, with particular goals on increasing visibility of Achieva’s “Banking for Good” benefits and on refining how branches of the future will play a role in their local communities. Lacey first came to Achieva through its merger with Sarasota Coastal Credit Union in 2009 and was named regional market vice president in 2012, where she was responsible for overseeing branches in Florida’s Sarasota and Manatee counties to ensure successful operations and growth.

The $938 million, Tuscaloosa, Ala.-based Alabama ONE Credit Union hired Bradley Cox as one of four business development officers stationed throughout Alabama. In his new role, Cox will work with community members and business partners to expand Alabama ONE’s presence across the state, as well as serve members by providing them with financial services offered by the institution. He currently serves as the pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Alabama’s Fayette County and previously served as the agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Fayette County High School. Cox has also been employed by the Alabama Farmers Federation as an area director. He holds a graduate degree in agricultural education from Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., and a Certificate of Instructional Leadership from the University of West Alabama. He is also the District One commissioner for the Fayette County Commission, and serves on several local boards including the Fayette County Farmers Federation and Fayette County Cattlemen’s Association.

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