American Eagle Financial CU Promotes 10 to AVP Positions

EAST

The $2.4 billion American Eagle Financial Credit Union in East Hartford, Conn., announced 10 promotions.

Louise S. Aliano was promoted to assistant vice president, marketing. Aliano has worked at American Eagle for the last 15 of her 26-year career in financial services, both in marketing and retail management. She previously served as the credit union’s brand creative director. She is a founding member of Colin’s Crew, a non-profit that fundraises for families affected by childhood cancer.

Mary Brennan was promoted to assistant vice president, project management office. Brennan has worked at American Eagle for the last 22 of her 38-year career in financial services. She earned an MBA with a concentration in project management from the University of Phoenix, and is a certified Project Management Professional with the Project Management Institute.

Teresa Fotta was promoted to assistant vice president, enterprise risk management. Fotta joined American Eagle’s risk management team in 2014 following an extensive career in internal auditing and accounting. She earned an MBA from the University of Connecticut and master’s of science in enterprise risk management from Boston University, and has various professional certifications in internal auditing, compliance and fraud, including CIA, CAFP, NCCO and CUERME. Fotta has served on the board of governors for the Southern New England Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors for the past 17 years, and just recently moved into an advisory council role after serving as the organization’s president. Fotta also serves on CUNA’s Risk and Compliance Council Member Resources Committee.

Scott Halstead was promoted to assistant vice president, talent and organizational development. Halstead has worked for American Eagle for the last 15 of his 19-year career in human resources, learning and development. He earned a master’s of science in college student personnel services from Miami University. He also has professional certifications in Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Organizational Development, is a Six Sigma Green Belt, and is an elected member of the Farmington (Conn.) Planning and Zoning Commission.

Nancy Lockrhyn was promoted to assistant vice president, finance. Lockrhyn has worked at American Eagle for the last 14 of her 34-year career in financial services, which has included roles in retail, lending, operations and finance. She earned an MBA in finance from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., and is certified in Six Sigma. Lockrhyn also serves on American Eagle’s Underserved Team and Pricing Committee.

Lisa Matheny was promoted to assistant vice president, member sales and service center. Matheny joined American Eagle in 2022 following a 30-year career leading teams in financial services, annuities, claims, customer experience and operations. She holds a Connecticut Real Estate License and serves on American Eagle’s Wellness Committee.

Bruce McCauley was promoted to assistant vice president, loan administration. McCauley has worked at American Eagle for the last 13 of his 26-year career in financial services, over which time he has gained extensive experience in quality assurance, loan servicing, product management, data analytics, forecasting and budgeting, among other financial proficiencies. He holds an Advanced Leadership Certification from Babson College in Babson Park, Mass., and serves on American Eagle’s Pricing Committee.

Lisa M. Rood was promoted to assistant vice president, branch administration. Rood has worked for American Eagle for the last two of her 20-year career in financial services, having previously served as regional manager for the credit union.

Cheri Smeriglio was promoted to assistant vice president, information security. Smeriglio has worked at American Eagle for the last nine of her 20-plus-year career in financial information security. She is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional, serves as chair of American Eagle’s Security Program Committee and is a contributing member of the credit union board’s cybersecurity committee.

Joanne Valentine-Cannata was promoted to assistant vice president, deposit and card services. Valentine-Cannata has worked for American Eagle for 14 years, having previously served as director, card services for the credit union. She is a graduate of CUNA Management School.

Kehrer Bielan Research & Consulting (KBR&C), a provider of research and consulting for the financial advice industry, selected Karen Benedict, SVP of Northwest Financial Advisors, for its annual Top Directors Awards list. Northwest Financial Advisors is a subsidiary of Northwest Federal Credit Union ($4.1 billion, Herndon, Va.) that offers credit union members and the general public a comprehensive range of wealth management services.

Benedict, who has led the firm for more than eight years, ranked fourth on the list that recognizes the five most successful investment services directors among the nation’s credit unions. KBR&C assessed the performance of 177 credit union investment programs to produce a list of directors who have risen above their peers. The company used 13 data-driven criteria and a weighted, average score that acknowledge the importance of revenue, assets, advisors and clients to the success of the financial institution’s investment services business. The winners were announced in an awards ceremony at the PROCU Conference, held Oct. 2-4 in Laguna Beach, Calif.

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