18 Credit Union Professionals Advance Into New Roles

WEST

The $5.5 billion, Richland, Wash.-based Gesa Credit Union announced three new hires.

David Jewell was hired as a home loan officer for Gesa’s Pullman, Wash., region. Jewell brings seven years of experience working in the financial services sector. In his new role, he will assist with mortgage loans for Gesa members across the Pullman, Moscow and Palouse, Wash., markets. Jewell began his career in the Marine Corps where he served for eight years. Since then, he has worked in branch banking, becoming the manager for the U.S. bank in Moscow and Colfax, Wash., and a community bank in Clarkston, Wash. In 2020, Jewell received the U.S. Bank Legends of Possible award.

Paul Long was hired as a Small Business Administration (SBA) lending manager and team leader. Long brings more than 25 years of banking experience, including 10 years in SBA lending. In his new role, Long will lead Gesa’s SBA lending team to service commercial real estate and business acquisition lending to businesses across the Pacific Northwest. He began his career as a teller at age 16, and since then has managed multiple bank branches. In 2017, Long received the Small Business Lending Emerging Leader award, and in 2020, he accepted the Coleman Publishing National SBA BDO award. He also created the region’s first annual business educational event called South Sound Business Summit.

Brooke Sexton was hired as a home loan officer for Gesa’s Coeur d’Alene, Idaho region. Sexton brings 10 years of experience working in the financial services industry. In her new role, she will originate mortgage loans for Gesa members across Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington. Sexton began her career at Heritage Home Loans in Spokane, Wash., as a processing assistant. Since then, she has worked in various roles at Eagle Home Mortgage, Idaho Independent Bank, Mountain West Bank, U.S. Bank and Home Trust Financial.

The $4.3 billion, Folsom, Calif.-based SAFE Credit Union promoted Tiffani Vargas to chief lending officer. Vargas joined SAFE in 2018 and previously served as SVP for real estate and consumer lending, a role in which she was responsible for leading the mortgage division, loan servicing, collections, personal lending, auto financing, college funding and insurance products. In her new role, she will combine those efforts as well as oversee SAFE’s commercial and small business lending, and account services departments. Prior to joining SAFE, Vargas’ lending career and leadership experience began in consumer finance, managing origination and personal, auto and equity loans, and credit cards services. She later managed sales and operations for two California mortgage companies over the span of nearly two decades. Vargas serves on the board of directors for First Tee of Greater Sacramento and earned an MBA from California State University, Sacramento.

EAST

The $35.8 billion, McLean, Va.-based PenFed Credit Union promoted Alicia Nealon to SVP and chief compliance officer. In her new role, Nealon is responsible for leading the design, implementation and monitoring of PenFed’s compliance and Bank Secrecy Act programs. She replaces Phyllis Mariam, who retired from the position after over 33 years of service. Nealon joined PenFed in 2018 and was previously at Navy Federal Credit Union ($156.5 billion, Vienna, Va.), where she advised on a wide range of regulatory matters, as well as NAFCU, where she led the association’s regulatory lobbying division. She also served as a law clerk for the NCUA.

MIDWEST

The $1.2 billion Cobalt Credit Union in Papillion, Neb., announced six new hires.

Jamie Neelon was hired as vice president of sales. Neelon brings more than 14 years of financial industry experience and more than five years of professional coaching experience. Most recently, she served as project manager and divisional performance lead at a local financial institution. In her role as a member of Cobalt’s leadership team, Neelon will oversee the development and training of member service employees. She holds an MBA from Bellevue University in Bellevue, Neb.

Jesse Wanning was hired as vice president of project management. Wanning brings more than 12 years of management experience, having most recently served as general manager of a large local company. In his new role as a member of Cobalt’s leadership team, Wanning will oversee the management and assessment of the credit union’s strategic projects and initiatives. He holds certifications for The Reid Technique of Interviewing and Interrogation, and Fred Pryor Project Management.

Chasmine McIntosh was hired as vice president of digital banking. McIntosh brings more than six years of financial and credit union experience, having most recently served as a performance consultant and coach for a local financial institution. In her new role as a member of Cobalt’s leadership team, McIntosh will oversee the management and implementation of the credit union’s strategic initiatives within digital channels. She holds an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, N.H.

Mark Wilkins was hired as CFO. Wilkins brings more than 12 years of financial and credit union experience, and more than 19 years of information technology and management experience. Most recently, Wilkins served as the CFO at a credit union in Utah. In his new role as a member of Cobalt’s senior leadership team, Wilkins will oversee the management and assessment of the credit union’s financial information and decisions. He holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Information Systems Auditor.

John Kelly was hired as director of consumer lending. Kelly brings more than 14 years of lending and credit union experience, having most recently served as president/CEO of a credit union in Nevada. In his new role as a member of Cobalt’s leadership team, Kelly will oversee the credit union’s consumer lending initiatives.

Mike Bradley was hired as vice president of indirect lending. Bradley brings more than 15 years of operations, sales and management experience in consumer credit organizations. Most recently, Bradley served as a regional center manager for the financial services arm of a multinational automotive manufacturing company. In his new role as a member of Cobalt’s leadership team, he will oversee the management and strategic initiatives of the credit union’s indirect automotive lending.

SOUTH

The $956 million, Tuscaloosa, Ala.-based Alabama ONE Credit Union announced two promotions.

Shelby Grantham was promoted to senior director of operations. Grantham previously served as the credit union’s controller, leading the daily operations of Alabama ONE’s accounting team while monitoring the credit union’s financials and reporting to the board of directors and membership. She joined Alabama ONE in 2015, bringing with her prior experience at larger financial institutions and in the manufacturing industry.

Matt Turner was promoted to Grantham’s previous role and will oversee accounting operations. Turner joined Alabama ONE in 2018 and has worked closely with the accounting team, while directing the credit union’s treasury and strategic analysis department. In his new role, Turner handles the regulatory and financial reporting, strategic planning and budgeting for the credit union. He also oversees the credit union’s card services department, ensuring member satisfaction with debit and credit card programs.

LEAGUES

The Indiana Credit Union League board elected executive officers and welcomed a new director at its reorganization meeting, held during the League’s annual meeting and convention, on Oct. 14.

Karen Madry, president/CEO for the $91 million, Marion, Ind.-based Afena Federal Credit Union, was elected chair.

Nina Baker, president/CEO for the $654 million, Fort Wayne, Ind.-based ProFed Credit Union, was elected vice chair.

Cari Palmer, president/CEO for the $44 million, Indianapolis-based Energy Plus Credit Union, was elected board secretary.

Amy Sink, president/CEO for the $1.5 billion, Elkhart, Ind.-based Interra Credit Union, was elected treasurer.

Brett Rinker, president/CEO for the $85 million, Muncie, Ind.-based Thrive Federal Credit Union, was elected to a three-year term on the board of directors.

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