Employees Advance Their Careers at 12 Credit Unions

WEST

The $7.5 billion Redwood Credit Union in Santa Rosa, Calif., hired Jeff Street as vice president of product and service innovation. In his new role, Street will lead product and service research, strategy and development to ensure RCU products and services are of the highest quality and further enhance the member experience. He brings more than 17 years of financial services experience in the San Francisco Bay area, formerly working at Wells Fargo in enterprise marketing, retail retirement and most recently with Wells Fargo Advisors, where he led digital product development and management for the online brokerage platform. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.

The $180 million Santa Cruz Community Credit Union in Santa Cruz, Calif., announced two new hires.

Michael Martinez was hired as community outreach marketing manager. In his new role, Martinez is responsible for developing community outreach programs focused on the underserved and unbanked in the region’s Watsonville and Pajaro Valley. He brings over seven years of experience in the financial industry.

Alicia Green was hired as community engagement and learning manager. In her new position, Green will play a vital role in building the credit union’s community financial literacy program, focusing specifically on helping members save and borrow money effectively. Additionally, she will implement internal training programs to enhance SCCCU staff knowledge and provide exceptional financial guidance to members no matter what questions they may have. Green has over 15 years of experience in marketing, communications and training.

EAST

Lighthouse Biz Solutions, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GFA Federal Credit Union ($662 million, Gardner, Mass.) serving the legal cannabis industry, appointed Melissa Maranda EVP/COO effective April 11. Maranda has over 20 years of experience in the financial services/business sector and holds a Juris Doctor degree. She most recently served as SVP of wealth management and trust services for GFA.

Alison DeTuncq, president/CEO for the $1.4 billion University of Virginia Community Credit Union in Charlottesville, Va., was awarded the James P. Kirsch Lifetime Achievement Award, the Virginia credit union system’s highest honor, from the Virginia Credit Union League. DeTuncq plans to retire this year after 32 years of service to the credit union, including 23 years as president/CEO. Her professional accomplishments have included serving as a member of the League’s budget and dues committee, president of the League’s Central Virginia Chapter, member of the League’s Estonia Partnership Committee and member of the board of directors for VACORP Credit Union from April 2002 until its merger with Mid-Atlantic Corporate Federal Credit Union in 2012, when she was elected to Mid-Atlantic’s board of directors. In addition, she was the first chairman of the board of Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union ($6.2 billion, Greensboro, N.C.) following the merger of Mid-Atlantic and First Carolina corporate credit unions in 2016, and a member of the board of directors for the Piedmont Virginia Community College Foundation, Shenandoah National Park Trust, Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, Albemarle Housing Improvement Program and United Way – Thomas Jefferson Area.

The $5.3 billion, Portsmouth, N.H.-based Service Credit Union promoted Tye Jacobson to vice president of overseas operations. Jacobson, a U.S. Air Force veteran, most recently served as assistant vice president of member services and began his career at Service in 1996 after being stationed in Spangdahlem, Germany. He began as a member service representative and moved up the ranks to branch manager before taking on his most recent role seven years ago. In his new role, he will be responsible for the efficient and effective management of all overseas resources, departments and business operations. Service has 14 branches on U.S. military bases in Germany, in addition to an overseas headquarters housing departments including training and foreign exchange.

MIDWEST

The $1.4 billion, 7 17 Credit Union in Warren, Ohio announced five promotions.

Todd McCormick was promoted to manager of the credit union’s newest branch in downtown Warren. McCormick has over four years of credit union experience, and in his new position, he will oversee member service while maintaining daily operations of the branch.

Leslie Long was promoted to branch manager of the Hubbard, Ohio office and has been with 7 17 for seven years. In her new position, she will oversee member service while maintaining daily operations of the branch.

Carla Devorich was named Air Base branch and float department manager. Devorich has been with 7 17 for 17 years. In her new position, she will oversee the float department, as well as manage member service and maintain daily operations of the branch.

Sara Joseph was promoted to fraud department assistant manager. Joseph has been with 7 17 for three years. In her new position, she will assist the department manager in developing fraud and risk management programs to help detect and deter fraud, and reduce the risk of loss to the credit union and its members.

Kait Hertzer was promoted to assistant manager of the Larchmont branch in Warren, Ohio. Hertzer has been with 7 17 for five years. In her new position, she will assist the branch manager to oversee member service while maintaining daily operations of the branch.

The $1.8 billion, Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Consumers Credit Union hired Rob Gruesbeck as a mortgage loan officer for its newest market in Lansing, Mich. In his new role, Gruesbeck will assist prospective homebuyers and current homeowners across the Lansing market with navigating loan options to help make their homeownership dream a reality. With nine years of experience in the mortgage industry, Gruesbeck has helped countless individuals and families by initiating home loans throughout Michigan and across the U.S.

The $3.6 billion Corporate Central Credit Union in Muskego, Wis., hired Chrissy Zick as a member services representative. In her new role, Zick will be responsible for providing superior member service and assisting members with questions related to products and services. Additionally, she will serve as a liaison between members and staff to facilitate proactive relationship development. Zick has worked in customer service for over 18 years and has over nine years of experience in the credit union industry.

The $4.4 billion, Wausau, Wis.-based Connexus Credit Union hired Pamela Tratnik to the business technology leadership team as vice president of infrastructure and operations. In her new role, Tratnik will lead the IT department’s strategic and operational planning by fostering innovation, prioritizing IT initiatives and coordinating the evaluation, deployment and management of current and future IT systems across the organization. She brings over 25 years of leadership experience in the banking, medical and manufacturing industries, and most recently served as a business technology management consultant. She holds an executive master’s degree in business administration and management.

SOUTH

James Poplin, president/CEO for the $2.3 billion, Austin, Texas-based Austin Telco Credit Union, announced his retirement. Poplin has served the credit union for nearly 40 years. Austin Telco has hired D. Hilton Associates to begin a nationwide search to find his replacement.

The $4.7 billion Coastal Credit Union in Raleigh, N.C., announced one new hire and one promotion.

Charlene Foley was hired to the newly-created role of vice president, brand and member experience. She will be responsible for planning and executing strategies for achieving excellence in member experience, as well as promoting a culture of member-centric excellence across all member touchpoints, including Coastal’s branches, contact centers, and remote and digital delivery channels. Foley brings more than 25 years of experience that includes customer experience management, omnichannel engagement, marketing strategy, analytics, product management, communications and strategic planning. She served as vice president, exceptional experience at Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina and was most recently chief customer officer for Hearful Technologies, Inc. Foley holds a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has served on the Appalachian State University Foundation board of directors, Leadership North Carolina executive board and the Durham Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

MaryAnne Gangoy was promoted to chief member advisory officer. In her new role, she will oversee Coastal’s advisory and sales functions, including physical and digital branches. She will also lead the credit union’s efforts in growing consumer lending, deposits and new membership; build corporate partnerships with local employers; and continue to oversee Coastal’s Wealth Management, Member Assistance Program and Financial Well-being departments. Gangoy joined Coastal in 2012, serving as a market manager for the credit union’s Durham, N.C., branches, vice president of retail sales and service and most recently vice president, wealth management. Her 27 years in financial services also includes leadership roles at large regional and national banks.

The $619 million, Baton Rouge, La.-based Pelican State Credit Union promoted Melissa Ott to EVP/CFO. In her new role, Ott will serve as second-in-command to the president/CEO. She began her career at Pelican over 20 years ago while studying accounting at Louisiana State University in 2000, and has been recognized by the Livingston Parish Chamber in Denham Springs, La., with a Women’s Leadership Award and CUNA as a Rock Star.

The $5.9 billion, Oklahoma City, Okla.-based Tinker Federal Credit Union announced two promotions.

Edgar Medina was promoted to vice president and director of lending. In his new role, Medina will create new products, ensure continued access to accounts and services, and seek the best lending opportunities for TFCU members. He most recently served as assistant vice president and branch manager of TFCU’s Capitol Hill branch for five years. Medina holds a master’s degree in administrative leadership from the University of Oklahoma and is a Certified Credit Union Executive from the CUNA Management School based out of the University of Wisconsin’s School of Business.

Chad Woolard was promoted to vice president and manager of indirect lending. He most recently served as a dealer liaison for TFCU for 11 years.

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