21 CU Industry Professionals Celebrate Career Growth

WEST

The $28.7 billion, Tukwila, Wash.-based BECU hired Rick Eiel as EVP and its first chief data and analytics officer. In his new role, Eiel is responsible for developing and enabling enterprise data, analytic and insight capabilities that will inform and accelerate the credit union’s business strategies, execution and performance. Eiel brings over 30 years of experience in the consumer financial service industry, including leadership roles at JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo. Most recently, he served as the head of product and analytics at Equifax. He earned his MBA, with concentrations in information systems and economics, from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business.

EAST

The $459 million University Credit Union in Orono, Maine promoted Cody Faloon to business services manager. In his new role, Faloon will travel the state of Maine serving UCU’s business members, from new businesses seeking startup capital to established businesses looking to expand, and providing tailored financial solutions for launching, running and growing their businesses. He began his career at UCU in 2007 as a part-time teller while in college before advancing to other roles within the credit union, including in consumer lending and human resources. Most recently, Faloon was a mortgage loan originator on the credit union’s real estate lending team.

The $2.1 billion, Edgewood, Md.-based APG Federal Credit Union announced three promotions.

Chuck Kelly was promoted to EVP. In his new role as the third EVP in APGFCU’s 85-year history, he will lead the areas of finance, lending, marketing and operations. Kelly joined the credit union in 2017 after nearly 15 years as a senior audit manager with CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP.

Joelle Hash was promoted to chief operations officer. In her new role, Hash will retain leadership of the member service and operations areas, as well as continue to focus on the member experience to ensure APGFCU provides quality service that exceeds its members’ expectations. Since joining the credit union as a teller over 30 years ago, Hash has progressed through various leadership positions. In February 2022, her responsibilities expanded to include card services, loan services and support services.

Amber Askew was promoted to CFO. Askew joined APGFCU in 2015 as vice president of accounting/controller, and was previously promoted to senior vice president for accounting and quality assurance. Prior to joining the credit union, she was an audit manager for CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP in Baltimore. In her new role, she will lead APGFCU’s accounting, compliance, and financial analysis and reporting efforts.

Hudson Valley Credit Union ($6.6 billion, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) announced one promotion and one new hire.

Nicole Pacione was promoted to branch manager of the credit union’s New Windsor branch in New York’s Orange County. Pacione has over a decade of experience in financial services and started at HVCU’s New Windsor branch as a financial service representative in 2010. She continued to develop her leadership and managerial skills as branch supervisor, and most recently served as assistant branch manager of the New Windsor branch.

Adam Kramer was hired as branch manager of the credit union’s Newburgh branch, also in New York’s Orange County. Kramer began his career in financial services in 2013 as a branch manager and brings over 20 years of leadership experience to his new role.

MIDWEST

The $433 million West Community Credit Union in O’Fallon, Mo., hired Heidi D. Douthit as e-branch manager. In her new role, Douthit is responsible for leading the e-branch team and managing the day-to-day operations of the department. She brings a 16-year background in the credit union industry.

The $658 million, Baxter, Minn.-based Mid Minnesota Credit Union announced three promotions.

Nate Olson was promoted to the senior management role of vice president of sales and service. In his new role, Olsen will continue to provide oversight to all areas of branch operations, focusing on high levels of service as well as ensuring members are aware of what the credit union has to offer. He started his career with MMFCU in 2003, and in the two decades since, he has served members directly on the teller line; hired and coached new team members; and led the Brainerd, Minn., office as branch manager. In 2015, Olson became a regional manager, supporting multiple MMFCU offices in the Minnesota communities of Aitkin, Baxter, Brainerd, Crosby and Little Falls. In addition, he has served on the board of directors for the Brainerd Sports Boosters since 2012, including as president from 2016-2019, and this past year began serving on the Brainerd Baxter Baseball Association board and Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association fundraising committee.

Tiffany Hirschey-Tuma was promoted to the senior management role of vice president of operations. In her new role, she will aid in strategic discussions and decisions that are in the best interest of members and frontline staff. Hirschey-Tuma started her career with MMFCU in 1999, serving members directly by opening accounts and meeting their financial needs. She eventually grew into supervising team members in her role as a supervisor, followed by assistant branch manager. In 2007, she was named branch manager of the Baxter, Minn., office, and in 2015, became a regional manager supporting multiple MMFCU offices in the Minnesota communities of Ada, Alexandria, Detroit Lakes, Staples and Pequot Lakes. Two years ago, she transitioned to the role of director of operations due to the growing internal needs of MMFCU as more members began using self-service channels.

Nicole Pfeffer was named community outreach specialist. In her new role, Pfeffer will bring financial education to members in classrooms, in businesses and at community events in the Minnesota communities of Ada, Alexandria, Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Staples and Wadena. She has 20 years of experience in the financial industry, and according to her LinkedIn page, she has been with MMFCU for seven years and most recently served as a branch manager in the Alexandria, Minn., office.

Dave Larson, CEO for the $4 billion, St. Paul, Minn.-based Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, was elected board chair of Special Olympics Minnesota for a second year. In his first year as board chair, Larson helped lead a collaborative effort to bring the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games to Minnesota. The Special Olympics Minnesota board of directors, which is composed of business leaders, disability advocates and Special Olympics Minnesota athletes from across the state, fulfill their duties by attending meetings, volunteering at events, fundraising and participating in the Polar Plunge. Larson has volunteered in fundraising and leadership roles with Special Olympics Minnesota for more than 15 years, including personally raising more than $160,000 through his Polar Plunge participation. As an organization, Affinity Plus is a longtime supporter of Special Olympics, and has contributed a total of $515,000 to support year-round athletic and health-based services for thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state.

SOUTH

The $1.9 billion, Indian Land, S.C.-based Sharonview Federal Credit Union announced one promotion, one new hire and two expanded roles.

Brent Voci was promoted to vice president of external revenue. In his new role, Voci is responsible for leading real estate origination, Sharonview Financial Services (SFS), indirect auto lending and business services revenue growth. His role also includes portfolio management, developing and maintaining positive relationships with dealers, and leadership of financial advisors. Additionally, he will implement business plans and strategies to further Sharonview’s goals and mission. Voci joined Sharonview in 2015 as a manager in the Member Experience Center before being promoted in 2018 to assistant vice president of mortgage originations. Previously, he worked with Roundpoint Mortgage Servicing as an assistant vice president of its call center. He holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Bryan Lockman was hired as vice president of capital markets. Prior to joining Sharonview in December 2022, Lockman worked for 16 years at Rocket Mortgage, formerly Quicken Loans, and at Service Mack, where he led capital markets. In his new role, he is responsible for leading a team that will manage interest rate risk, secondary market opportunities, collateral, investments and more. Additionally, he and the capital markets team are responsible for pricing, trading and hedging lending products, developing and maintaining product guidelines, and conducting product line and profitability analyses.

COO Steven Shaffner now has direct oversight of retail delivery. This development brings his Sharonview career full circle, as he joined Sharonview in 2008 as a branch manager before moving into the role of vice president of retail delivery. In addition, he now has direct oversight of the following business areas and initiatives: member service operations, facilities, learning and development, talent management and employee services.

Rondel Cuyler, who was promoted to chief marketing officer in October 2021, is now chief marketing and sales officer. In her expanded role, Cuyler now has direct oversight of the following business areas and initiatives: marketing; creative services and community involvement; communications; executive services; external revenue, including SFS, indirect sales, business services and mortgage originations; diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; and the Sharonview CARES Foundation.

The $1.6 billion SRP Federal Credit Union in North Augusta, S.C., promoted Kevin Toole to vice president/chief lending officer. In his new role, his primary responsibilities will be leading and directing the credit union’s lending activities to include consumer, mortgage and commercial lending. Toole began his career in the financial industry 25 years ago and has been with SRP since 2017. He began at SRP as a commercial loan officer and was promoted to assistant vice president of commercial lending before moving into his new role. He also has prior experience as a vice president and relationship manager in the banking industry. Toole is also a member of the North Augusta City Council, graduate of both Leadership North Augusta and Leadership Aiken County, and a past board member and chair of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce.

CUSOS

ServiStar Consulting, a CUSO that has delivered sales, service and leadership systems to more than 1,000 credit unions, promoted Scott Albrecht to vice president of learning and development. In his new role, Albrecht will coach credit union teams across the U.S. and Canada, helping them transform cultures into high-performing, award-winning, member-centric sales and service champions that align with their credit union’s mission and purpose.

LEAGUES

The Michigan Credit Union League announced three new hires.

Vanessa Marvin was hired as a league representative. Marvin began her career in the banking world and was later hired by a mid-size credit union in southern Indiana, where she served as vice president of marketing and sales.

Tony Zorza was hired as a league representative. Zorza brings a decade of experience in financial services, having begun his career as a branch manager at Northland Area Federal Credit Union ($674 million, Alpena, Mich.). Since then, he’s worked for banks and credit unions in management, mortgage and investments.

Rebekah Yeary was hired as an events specialist. Yeary brings experience in event coordination and city planning, and recently graduated Michigan State University with a degree in hospitality business.

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