New Executives Named at Whitefish CU, Columbia CU, Ascentra CU, Others

WEST

The $2.1 billion Whitefish Credit Union in Whitefish, Mont., announced four promotions and a new hire.

Jennifer Archer was promoted to SVP of loan operations. Archer most recently served as vice president of credit administration in support of the lending portfolio. She joined Whitefish in 2005 and held multiple roles in the credit union before overseeing loan operations. Archer serves on the board of directors for Women Who Wine, a local non-profit that highlights and raises money for other non-profits.

Cory Coopman was promoted to SVP of IT and project management. Coopman joined the credit union as vice president of IT in 2018 and brings over two decades of experience managing and enhancing information technology systems.

Matt Venturini was promoted to SVP of lending. Venturini joined Whitefish in 2011 as a credit analyst. Then, after spending six years with Glacier Bank, he rejoined the credit union as vice president, real estate loan manager before being promoted to his current role, in which he will oversee all aspects of Whitefish’s lending. Venturini is the board chair for Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley in Kalispell, Mont.

Josh Wilson was promoted to SVP of marketing. Wilson has been with Whitefish since 2017 and most recently served as vice president of marketing. He has over 16 years of experience in financial services and is an adjunct instructor at West Virginia University’s Data Marketing Communications & Digital Marketing Communications graduate programs. Wilson received his master’s degree from West Virginia University.

Cheryl Mintz was hired as SVP of human resources. She holds an MBA and Juris Doctor degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, La., with additional certifications in mediation and arbitration. Mintz is a licensed member of the Montana Bar Association and has extensive experience across multiple industries.

The $2.3 billion, Vancouver, Wash.-based Columbia Credit Union promoted Lindsey Salvestrin from the position of COO to EVP and COO. Salvestrin joined Columbia in 2000 as a financial services officer at the Cascade Park branch in Vancouver, and quickly advanced to operations supervisor and branch manager within a few years. From 2006 to 2016, she earned several promotions related to support, digital and member experience, including operations and project support specialist, vice president support services and vice president remote services. In 2011, she became Columbia’s corporate project manager before transitioning to an SVP and service delivery – project management role. In 2017, Salvestrin continued to expand her influence by overseeing the branch network and facilities departments in addition to her digital banking, digital cards and support services teams as SVP COO. She is a Certified Innovation Executive, completing courses at MIT Sloan and Stanford through the CUES Strategic Innovation Institutes.

EAST

The $799 million Leominster Credit Union elected its 2022-2023 board officers at its April meeting.

Richard A. Sheppard was appointed chairman of the board. Sheppard serves on the executive committee and has served on the board since 2006.

Michael J. Sauvageau was appointed vice chair. Sauvageau has been on the board since 2007 and serves on LCU’s executive, credit, investment and compensation committees.

Nancy L. Graves was appointed treasurer. Graves serves on the executive, audit and advisory committees, and has served on the LCU board of directors since 2004.

Guilio G. Greco, who most recently held the position of chair, was appointed assistant treasurer. Greco serves on LCU’s executive, audit and investment committees, and has served on the board since 1978.

Joseph V. Quintal was appointed clerk. Quintal serves on the executive, credit, compensation and advisory committees, and has served on the board since 2006.

MIDWEST

The $3.1 billion Corporate Central Credit Union in Muskego, Wis., hired Bryan Luitze as a senior software engineer. In his new role, Luitze will deliver business process improvements and automation by managing, analyzing, designing, developing and integrating efficient business intelligence and database systems. After owning his own business as a flooring contractor for 20 years, Luitze entered the Web Software Developer program at Gateway Technical College in Racine, Wis. Shortly before he graduated in 2018, he took a position with a start-up. For the past four years, he has worked for a couple of start-ups and a corporation on a large variety of front- and back-end development.

The $5.4 billion, Vernon Hills, Ill.-based BCU hired Kristi Mertens as managing director of BCU Wealth Advisors, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser firm owned by the credit union. In her new role, Mertens provides leadership and strategic direction to BCU Wealth Advisors, and is responsible for maintaining the strategy and vision of the wealth management and financial planning division of the credit union. She brings nearly 20 years of experience as a financial advisor and is a Certified Financial Planner.

The $530 million, Bettendorf, Iowa-based Ascentra Credit Union hired Beth Grabin as CFO. Grabin brings to the position 22 years of finance and accounting experience through positions held with organizations throughout Western Illinois and Eastern Iowa. She started her career in the financial services industry as a school-to-work intern in 2000, then grew into progressive roles over the years including risk management associate, controller, director of financial reporting, chief accounting officer and CFO. Grabin currently sits on the board of directors, leads a committee and serves as a mentor for Lead(h)er, an organization that fuels career and community engagement for women in the workforce. In addition, she is the current treasurer of the board of directors of Argrow’s House of Healing and Hope in Moline, Ill., and earned her Certified Public Accountant designation in 2011.

The $5.1 billion, Neenah, Wis.-based Community First Credit Union re-hired Jeff D. Garrett as program manager and registered financial advisor for Community First Financial Advisors (CFFA), the credit union’s investment and wealth management services arm. In his new role, Garrett will serve members while also serving as the program manager, in which he will oversee the CFFA team of six financial advisors who provide comprehensive financial planning, IRA solutions, 401(k) rollover options and retirement income planning to member-owners of Community First. Garrett brings over 20 years of investment and client management experience. He spent the earlier part of his career working for the National Park Service, and since July 1999, has served as a financial advisor, including spending four years building and managing a $58 million book of business as an advisor with Community First from 2008 to 2012. For the past 10 years, he has been the program manager/financial advisor for Prospera Credit Union ($364 million, Appleton, Wis.).

SOUTH

The $5.9 billion, Oklahoma City, Okla.-based Tinker Federal Credit Union hired Steven Scarver as vice president, manager of data analytics and intelligence. In his new role, Scarver leads a team of analysts, specialists and data scientists in the design and implementation of enterprise-wide data analytics strategies. These strategies provide insights that enable the TFCU team to deliver high-quality accounts and services for members’ individual financial needs. Scarver joins TFCU with nine years of data analysis experience. Before working in data analytics, he served in the United States Marine Corps for six years on active duty before transitioning to the Marine Corps Reserves for an additional six years. He earned a graduate certification in systems analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School.

The $2 billion MAX Credit Union in Montgomery, Ala., hired Mike Hart as EVP and COO. Hart brings over 34 years of financial institution experience to his new role, and is currently an active board member of the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, River Region United Way and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival Finance Committee.

CUSOS

Life. Money. You., LLC (LMY), a CUSO of the $5.4 billion, Vernon Hills, Ill.-based BCU, hired Bjorn Larson as executive director. In his new role, Larson provides leadership and strategic direction to LMY – a financial well-being program, providing a growing audience of BCU employees, members, company partners and beyond with tools and resources to improve their financial health. Larson is also responsible for LMY board management, financial and legal operations, and marketing and sales of LMY products and services. He brings over a decade of experience in the personal finance and financial wellness industries, is an Accredited Financial Counselor and holds an MBA from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.

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