Professionals Make Moves at CUs in the West & East

WEST

UNCLE Credit Union ($734 million, Livermore, Calif.) announced a new hire and six promotions.

Blair Conner was hired onto the senior executive team as the credit union’s first-ever SVP, chief credit officer in December 2022. In his new role, Conner will oversee UNCLE’s lending department, which includes mortgage and consumer lending as well as collections. Conner has spent his career in lending management, previously working with credit unions such as First Tech Federal Credit Union ($16.7 billion, San Jose, Calif.), Arizona Financial Credit Union ($3.1 billion, Phoenix), WestStar Credit Union ($255 million, Las Vegas) and most recently the $788 million CBC Federal Credit Union in Oxnard, Calif. Conner holds an MBA from Western Governors University in Millcreek, Utah.

James Fisher was promoted to the senior executive team as SVP, chief technology officer. According to his LinkedIn page, Fisher has been with UNCLE since 2009 and most recently served as vice president, information technology.

April Ingram was promoted to the senior executive team as SVP, chief people officer. According to her LinkedIn page, she has been with UNCLE since 2012 and most recently served as vice president, human resources.

Natalia Custodio was promoted to the executive team as vice president, marketing. According to her LinkedIn page, she has been with UNCLE for five years and most recently served as assistant vice president, marketing manager.

Victor Mendoza was promoted to the executive team as vice president, information technology. According to his LinkedIn page, he has been with UNCLE since 2019 and most recently served as assistant vice president, information services manager.

Minnay Shergill was promoted to the executive team as vice president, human resources. According to UNCLE’s LinkedIn page, she joined the credit union in 2022 as assistant vice president, human resources manager.

Antero Soriano was promoted to the executive team as vice president, member services. According to his LinkedIn page, he joined UNCLE in 2018 and most recently served as assistant vice president, regional manager.

The $2.2 billion Kitsap Credit Union in Bremerton, Wash., announced two new hires.

Paula Chan Edelstein was hired onto the leadership team as SVP/chief people officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for aligning the credit union’s people practices with its business strategies, mission and values. She will also develop and lead people operations to deliver strategic programs, policies and practices that promote a high-performing, values-driven culture at Kitsap. Edelstein brings over 20 years of human resources experience and holds a master of labor relations and HR degree from Michigan State University.

Eric Crabtree was hired as vice president of digital experience. In his new role, Crabtree will be responsible for developing and overseeing an integrated strategy across all digital member touch points. He will also partner closely with all key stakeholders to enhance the digital experience and deliver leading solutions to members. Crabtree brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience, which included leading high performing teams at global Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies in both the U.S. and the U.K. Most recently, he held the role of executive advisor at TechMgt Advisory Services in Seattle. He received his executive management development education from Ashridge Business School in the U.K.

The $612 million, Milwaukie, Ore.-based Embold Credit Union (formerly Clackamas Federal Credit Union) announced four new hires.

Heather Friend was hired as COO. In her new role, Friend will lead branch and call center operations, ensuring the credit union exceeds member expectations and develops deep connections in the communities it serves. Additionally, she will support teams dedicated to virtual branch and digital services, operations, marketing and community development. Friend brings more than 20 years of financial services experience from U.S. Bank, where she most recently served as SVP and regional site director in consumer banking.

Douglas (DJ) Haines was hired as chief information officer. In his new role, Haines will manage the credit union’s information systems and technology operations while developing and implementing the organization’s long-range strategic plans to address the evolving information processing needs as it expands into new counties. Haines recently served as SVP of information technology and security at United States Senate Federal Credit Union ($1.2 billion, Alexandria, Va.) and brings several years of experience in technology strategic planning, project management, enterprise risk management (IT mitigation/hardening) and IT/business development.

Theresa Hansen was hired as chief people officer. In her new role, Hansen will provide strategic leadership for the people side of the credit union as it expands into diverse communities, with a focus on human resources, employee training and development, DEI and organizational culture. Hansen previously served in a variety of HR, operations and board governance leadership roles for non-profit community-based organizations in Oregon. She also serves on the board of directors for the Arthritis National Research Foundation.

Hilary Kissell was hired as director of marketing and community development. In her new role, Kissell will lead the credit union’s marketing team in developing and executing its marketing strategy and rebrand, as well as implementing community development strategies that help increase brand awareness and member engagement through programs and events that enrich the communities the credit union serves. Kissell most recently served as marketing manager at First Tech Federal Credit Union ($16.7 billion, San Jose, Calif.) and brings years of experience in marketing and brand development, six of which were with Embold in various roles.

Teresa Campbell, president/CEO for San Diego County Credit Union ($11.2 billion, San Diego, Calif.) was named one of 2022’s Powerful Women in Credit Unions by American Banker. The designation recognizes women leaders in credit unions and the great achievements they have accomplished within their companies and community. Campbell was selected for her outstanding leadership and demonstrated success at SDCCU since she joined the credit union in 2010. Campbell’s previous awards have included being selected as one of SD Metro Magazine’s Women of Accomplishment in 2022, a San Diego Business Woman of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal in 2021 and one of SD Metro Magazine’s Women of Influence for the second consecutive year; a Stevie Award for Women in Business and a Business Leadership Award from the North San Diego Business Chamber. Campbell has over 25 years of experience in the credit union industry and currently serves on the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (formerly the Department of Business Oversight) and CU Advisory Committee. She served a two-year term on the CFPB’s Credit Union Advisory Council from 2018 to 2020 and as board chair of the California Credit Union League in 2012 and 2013. She currently serves as board chair of the National Credit Union Foundation.

Western Vista Credit Union ($250 million, Cheyenne, Wyo.) announced four promotions and one role change.

Lorrell Walter was promoted to chief marketing officer. Walter, who has worked at the credit union for more than six years, oversees and directs all marketing and communication initiatives in her new role. She has more than 22 years of public relations and marketing experience. In 2022, Walter received the inaugural Community Outreach Professional of the Year award from the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council for her work with the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, Air Force Association, Kiwanis, Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative and Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Mike Mason was promoted to CFO. Mason began his career at Western Vista in 2019. In his new role, he oversees and directs the strategic and tactical activities of accounting, operations, facilities, compliance and human resources. He holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Dan Moss was promoted to chief information officer. Moss retired from the United States Army in 2009 and joined the Western Vista team in 2021. He holds a master’s degree in information technology management from Webster University in Webster Groves, Mo. Most recently, he was recognized with Western Vista’s volunteerism award for his work with the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee, Hunting with Heroes Wyoming and the Laramie County Library Foundation.

PJ Brennan was promoted to SVP, sales and financial services. Brennan has more than 20 years of experience in the financial services sector. He has served in numerous roles, most recently as Western Vista’s financial services director.

Dan Buchan moved into the position of SVP, credit and lending. Buchan began working at Western Vista in 2018 and has more than 20 years of experience in the areas of credit, underwriting and risk management. He serves on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity of Laramie County, and previously served on the boards for the Old West Museum and Cheyenne Depot Museum.

EAST

The $414 million Holy Rosary Credit Union in Rochester, N.H., promoted Travis Bissonnette to SVP of lending. In his new role, Bissonnette is primarily responsible for overseeing the consumer, business and mortgage loan portfolios, as well as the development and implementation of strategic lending strategies. He has been active in the Greater Seacoast region’s banking industry for the past 18 years, joining HRCU in 2015 and serving in roles including consumer lending manager, assistant vice president of consumer and business lending, and vice president of member business services. Bissonnette is a graduate of the CUNA Business Lending School and was recognized by CU Direct in 2019 for becoming a Top 20 Lender in New England. He has also served on many boards of directors including Rochester Main Street; Rochester, N.H., Chamber of Commerce; Roger Allen Park Association and Friends of Spaulding Baseball.

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