6 Credit Unions Hire, Promote & Recognize Employees

WEST

The $9.3 billion OnPoint Community Credit Union in Portland, Ore., hired Karen Salman as vice president of operations. Salman comes to OnPoint after 15 years at Unitus Community Credit Union ($1.7 billion, Portland), where she most recently served as associate vice president of deposit administration. In her new role, Salman will provide strategic operations leadership and oversee all deposit operations and support functions, including ATMs, electronic payments, check services, records retention, account/branch support, IRA/HSA/tax reporting, escheatment and business account services. She brings national experience leading core conversions and deep branch and operations experience, with a 15-year tenure at Bank of America and two years at Sterling Savings Bank. She has also served as co-leader of the Global Women’s Leadership Network’s Portland-Vancouver Sister Society since 2017, and mentored Portland’s Rose Festival Princesses since 2015, working directly with Parkrose High School students.

EAST

The $1.8 billion, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.-based Hanscom Federal Credit Union announced an expanded role and two promotions.

Jim Potter, Hanscom’s COO, took on the responsibility for the credit union’s enhanced project management office and Six Sigma process improvement program. Potter has been the COO of the credit union since 2002, is a member of the Association of Credit Union Senior Officers and was named a “Credit Union Rising Star” in 2016 by the Cooperative Credit Union Association. He holds an MBA in business management from Babson College in Babson Park, Mass.

Dan Ziniti was promoted to Hanscom’s executive team as chief strategy officer. Ziniti joined Hanscom in 2018 as SVP/member experience director. In his new role, he will oversee the credit union’s strategic roadmap, including new lines of business, product management and development of purpose-driven data strategy. An initial area of focus for Ziniti will be developing and launching a differentiated financial wellness program in service of Hanscom’s mission to be its members’ trusted advisor throughout their financial lives. He holds a master’s degree in management from Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass.

Lenai Camacho was promoted to Hanscom’s executive team as chief risk officer. Camacho joined Hanscom in 2012 as compliance manager. She was promoted to assistant vice president of compliance in 2016 and two years later to vice president, risk. In 2021, she was promoted to SVP, risk, and throughout her tenure at Hanscom, has served as an advisor to the credit union’s supervisory committee and executive team. In 2018, she was chosen as a “Credit Union Rising Star” by the Cooperative Credit Union Association. Prior to joining Hanscom, Lenai had roles of increasing responsibility in risk and compliance for Santander and UBS.

The $607 million, Martinsville, Va.-based ValleyStar Credit Union announced two promotions.

Jordan Weatherholtz was promoted to vice president of data and analytics. In his new role, he will help bring process efficiency to ValleyStar operations, and build a culture and organizational strategy that is data-driven. Weatherholtz joined ValleyStar in 2020, and in that time has led multiple initiatives including setting up an organizational data warehouse, cleansing internal data to ensure accuracy, and implementing daily reporting for the 2022 corporate scorecard. Before joining ValleyStar, he was on the management team at DuPont Community Credit Union ($1.7 billion, Waynesboro, Va.), where he led a risk management division that identified, mitigated and prevented fraudulent transactions. Weatherholtz holds a Certified Fraud Examiner Certification and is an Emerging Professional Network board member.

Greta Kidd was promoted to executive director of the ValleyStar RISE Foundation. In her new role, she will collaborate with communities to identify challenges and opportunities for the advancement of economic resilience. Prior to working for the RISE Foundation, Kidd served as vice president of member experience for ValleyStar. Before joining ValleyStar, she led a financial education initiative for members and communities at Entrust Financial Credit Union ($77 million, Richmond, Va.). She also worked for Boaz & Ruth, a nonprofit that supports incarcerated individuals returning home with skills for success. Kidd holds an MBA from Averett University in Danville, Va., a Credit Union Certified Marketing Executive Certification from CUNA and a Fund Development Certification from the University of Richmond.

The $4.3 billion Northwest Federal Credit Union in Herndon, Va., announced one new hire and three promotions.

Sam Collins was hired as foundation executive director. He brings 35 years of experience serving the community, beginning with his service to the Boston Public School system, where he founded one of the nation’s first service learning and experiential education programs.

Ed Hollingsworth was promoted to SVP of risk, audit and program management. In his new role, he will expand his responsibilities to oversee key risk management, assurance and strategic initiatives under one independent umbrella. Hollingsworth joined Northwest in 2014 as the leader of the internal audit program and most recently held the title of vice president of internal audit. He has 35 years of experience with various financial services companies.

Joelle Hahn was promoted to vice president of marketing and creative director. She joined Northwest as a marketing specialist in 2005 and subsequently climbed the ranks at to more senior marketing roles. She previously worked for NAFCU.

Amy Falkler was promoted to vice president of internal audit. She will serve under Hollingsworth, taking on the responsibilities he previously held. Falkler was first hired by Northwest in 2016 as a senior audit manager and was later promoted to assistant vice president of internal audit, where she managed operational audits.

Raymond Goulart, vice president, residential lending officer for the $315 million, Fairhaven, Mass.-based Alltrust Credit Union, was named one of the Top Loan Originators in the Southcoast, Cape and the Islands in 2021 by The Warren Group, publisher of Banker & Tradesman. Ray Goulart ranked second for loan volume in the South Coast, Cape and Islands and fourth for number of loans in the South Coast, Cape and Islands.

MIDWEST

Pete Gates, president/CEO of the $3.1 billion Michigan Schools and Government Credit Union in Clinton Township, Mich., announced he will retire at the end of 2022. Gates has served as president/CEO of the credit union since 1998, during which time he led its growth to $3 billion in assets and over 135,000 members. MSGCU has contracted D. Hilton Associates to conduct a nationwide search to find the next president/CEO.

Lone Callahan, vice president of member experience for the $337 million, Wentzville, Mo.-based Alltru Credit Union, was recognized by Connections to Success at the 11th annual Tribute to Success Luncheon on May 18, which honors extraordinary individuals from the greater St. Louis region for their lifetime achievements. Since joining Alltru in 2016 as vice president of member experience, Callahan has provided leadership for retail and eService, overseeing a wide range of high impact departments, from the frontline retail branches to online banking services, card services and the call center. She has also focused on financial literacy for members in the community by ensuring staff has the knowledge and expertise to assist members while offering accessible financial tools to everyone, and has volunteered for non-profits such as KidSmart, College Kids, Junior Achievement, Beyond Housing, Connections to Success, Diaper Bank, Several Book Fairs and Mercy Children’s Hospital.

CUSOS

Harold Roundtree, president/CEO of the $674 million UNCLE Credit Union of Livermore, Calif., joined the board of directors of Co-op Solutions in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., following its annual meeting of shareholders on May 3. Elected to a first term on the Co-op board, Roundtree has served as UNCLE’s president/CEO since joining the credit union in 2011. Prior to that, he was SVP at Technology Credit Union ($4.1 billion, San Jose, Calif.), working there from 1994 to 2011. His career in financial services has also included work with World Savings and First Interstate Bank.

In addition, four other credit union leaders were re-elected to their posts on Co-op’s 11-member board: Jackie Buchanan, president/CEO of Genisys Credit Union ($4.1 billion, Auburn Hills, Mich.); Theresa Mann, vice president/chief risk officer for NASA Federal Credit Union ($3.7 billion, Upper Marlboro, Md.); Todd Marksberry, president/CEO of Canvas Credit Union ($3.8 billion, Lone Tree, Colo.) and Greg Mitchell, president/CEO of First Tech Federal Credit Union ($15 billion, San Jose).

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