New Executives & Board Members Named at 4 Credit Unions, ACUMA

EAST

The $2.9 billion Empower Federal Credit Union in Syracuse, N.Y., hired Ebony King as diversity, equity and inclusion officer. In her new role, King will be responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of the credit union’s DEI strategy. She will also identify and champion DEI priorities for the organization and work to translate them into practical and actionable solutions. Internally, she will partner with Empower’s leadership team to support a culture that promotes staff engagement and commitment to enhance the employee experience. In addition, she will implement a DEI knowledge-building strategy to educate and raise awareness to leadership, staff and partners. King brings over 16 years of experience in the field of DEI, most recently serving as the diversity and inclusion specialist for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Syracuse University. Her prior positions have included director of multicultural engagement and senior director of diversity and inclusion for Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. King earned a master’s degree in higher education administration from Syracuse University and a diversity and inclusion certificate from Cornell University.

The $1.5 billion, Pittsfield, Mass.-based Greylock Federal Credit Union hired Amit Behal as SVP/chief information officer. In his new role, he will direct the technology team with a focus on cybersecurity, data and analytics to enhance the member experience. Behal received a master’s degree in computer applications from Devi Ahilva University in India. Prior to joining Greylock, he managed global cloud operations for Granicus and spent eight years at American Express delivering on its digital transformation efforts.

SOUTH

The $2.1 billion Allegacy Federal Credit Union in Winston-Salem, N.C., hired Raj Madan as chief marketing officer. In his new role, he will focus on strategic marketing, advertising, communications, public relations, business development, membership, and community and financial well-being plans for the credit union. Madan most recently served as chief marketing and business development officer at Blue Federal Credit Union ($1.7 billion, Cheyenne, Wyo.). After earning his MBA from Angelo State University in Texas, he began a career in sales, marketing and building brands at top financial institutions such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citigroup and First National Bank of Omaha. He also founded Madan Consulting Group, working with industry leading CEOs and chief marketing officers in financial services and non-banks to create strategic frameworks for traditional and digital marketing activities.

The $5.9 billion, Oklahoma City, Okla.-based Tinker Federal Credit Union hired Keili McEwen as vice president of governmental affairs. In her new role, McEwen will oversee TFCU’s outreach efforts to local, state and federal elected officials, as well as government agencies with regulatory oversight of credit union operations. She will also advocate on behalf of legislation that will have a positive impact. Prior to joining TFCU, McEwen served on the executive team at Hunger Free Oklahoma and was the chief of strategic engagement and communications director for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, where she led the agency’s external engagement work. McEwen’s background also includes roles in the offices of Governor Mary Fallin, Governor Mike Huckabee and CMA Strategies, as well as multiple non-profit leadership roles. She holds a master’s degree in non-profit leadership from Oklahoma City University.

TRADES

The American Credit Union Mortgage Association (ACUMA) announced changes to its board of directors at its annual business meeting on Sept. 20, held during the association’s 26th Annual Meeting at the Cosmopolitan Resort in Las Vegas, Nev.

Barry Stricklin, SVP for the $4.3 billion Tower Federal Credit Union in Laurel, Md., was elected chair of the board. Stricklin will step in for prior Chair Tim Mislansky, who resigned from his role and the board due to an increased workload as the new president/CEO of the $7.1 billion Wright-Patt Credit Union in Beavercreek, Ohio.

Stricklin previously served as chair of the ACUMA board from 2019 to 2021 and will complete the final year of Mislansky’s term. In addition to serving several years on ACUMA’s board, Stricklin has served on various boards of directors, including for CUNA Mutual Group, CURealty and the Fannie Mae Credit Union Advisory Council. He also is the current chair of the Potomac Credit Union Real Estate Network.

Julie Bowering, vice president and director of mortgage lending at the $2 billion Elements Financial Federal Credit Union in Indianapolis, Ind., was named a new board member. At Elements Financial, she has developed a community-based mortgage loan originator program, established secondary market functions, brought on more investors, and maximized all pricing and locking functions.

Vince Salinas, vice president of home loans for the $8 billion Patelco Credit Union in Dublin, Calif., was also named a new board member. Salinas has 30 years of financial services experience and also served as board chair for Habitat for Humanity East Bay/Silicon Valley in California’s Bay Area. He is a former member of the City of San Ramon (Calif.) Housing Advisory Committee.

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