7 Credit Unions Promote, Appoint & Honor

WEST

The $1.1 billion, Albuquerque, N.M.-based Sandia Area Federal Credit Union promoted Brian Griffith to chief lending officer. Griffith stepped into his new role in November following the departure of longtime chief lending officer Tony Dees. Griffith has been with Sandia Area since 2009, most recently serving as SVP of commercial lending, and has more than 20 years of experience in the financial industry in New Mexico and Colorado.

EAST

Workers Credit Union ($2.6 billion, Littleton, Mass.) announced two new hires and one promotion.

Linda Colby was hired as assistant vice president and area manager of the credit union’s Gardner, Townsend, Groton and Leominster – Walmart branches. In her new role, Colby will help members achieve financial wellness through education and conversation by leading the locations’ business development, membership growth and operations. Colby brings more than 20 years of experience, having recently served as a manager at American Airlines Credit Union ($8.8 billion, Fort Worth, Texas).

Rachna Bhatia was hired as vice president of the member information center. In her new role, Bhatia will be responsible for leading creative initiatives that put members at the center. Having worked in the industry for 20 years, Bhatia is a banking veteran and comes to Workers from the $336 million, Westbrook, Maine-based Infinity Federal Credit Union.

Josh Pereira was promoted to assistant vice president and area manager of the credit union’s Fitchburg, Lunenburg, Westford and Leominster – Merriam Avenue branches. In his new role, he will help members achieve financial wellness by managing branch staff, communicating the credit union’s mission and values, and maintaining proper audit controls. Pereira has over 22 years of banking experience and most recently served as branch lead for Workers’ Shrewsbury location. He previously served as a branch manager for Digital Federal Credit Union ($11.2 billion, Marlborough, Mass.). Pereira also provides financial literacy advice to high school students through Danny’s Place, a local youth organization.

The $2 billion Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union in Lowell, Mass., announced that Naomi Prendergast was elected chair of the board of directors effective January 2023. Prendergast joined the Jeanne D’Arc board in 2010. She has served as president/CEO of D’Youville Life & Wellness Community in Lowell, Mass., since 2004 and as vice president of business development and community relations of the not-for-profit senior living organization Carmelite System since 2021. She holds a master in public health degree from Boston University and is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator with over 30 years of health care experience. Her additional board roles include serving as a board member of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association, Tufts Medicine, Lowell General Hospital, the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Nursing Home Administrators, the Massachusetts Health Information Technology Council, and the Eldercare and Public Policy Committees of the Catholic Healthcare Association. Since 2014, she has been recognized as a Top 100 Women Led Business Leader by Boston Globe Magazine/The Women’s Edge.

Prendergast’s election comes after John P. Chemaly completed his term as chair; he now assumes his role as vice chair of the board. He has served on Jeanne D’Arc’s board of directors in various roles since 2003, the previous five years as chair. He currently serves as SVP of corporate strategies at PRIDEStar EMS.

George Rudolph, president/CEO for the $8 billion, Harrisburg, Pa.-based PSECU, was named to the 2023 Central Penn Business Journal’s Power 100 List. The Power 100 list is comprised of individuals who shape their communities and influence the quality of life in Central Pennsylvania. Rudolph has served as president/CEO of PSECU since 2019, at which time he brought nearly 30 years of leadership experience in the credit union and airline industries. Rudolph has also served as an advisor and participant for several industry organizations, including the CUNE Technology Council’s executive committee and the Federal Reserve’s Faster Payments Task Force. He holds an MBA from LaSalle University in Philadelphia.

SOUTH

The $2 billion, Duluth, Ga.-based Georgia United Credit Union promoted Drew Brannon to vice president of retail delivery. In his new role, Brannon, who most recently served as director of retail operations, has oversight of Georgia United’s branch network and is responsible for leading the retail team’s engagement with the credit union’s membership. He will focus on loan growth, increased deposits, growing membership and delivering exceptional service that helps members obtain their financial goals. Brannon joined Georgia United as a senior financial analyst in 2017 after a seven-year tenure with LGE Community Credit Union ($2 billion, Atlanta). At Georgia United, he was promoted to manager of business intelligence in 2019, director of business intelligence in 2021 and director of retail operations in 2022.

The $4.7 billion, Lake Jackson, Texas-based TDECU promoted Laura Whitley to the newly-created position of market president for the Houston area. Whitley most recently served as vice president of communications for TDECU for nearly two years. She was previously honored with an Addy Award by the Houston chapter of the American Advertising Federation.

The $1.6 billion, North Augusta, S.C.-based SRP Federal Credit Union promoted Bob Bigger to assistant vice president of commercial lending. In his new role, his primary responsibilities will be overseeing the commercial lenders, credit administration/underwriting and the loan processing teams that comprise the division. Bigger has worked in financial institutions for 34 years and began his career at SRP two years ago as commercial lending portfolio manager. He has a diverse background in the field, having previously served in check processing operations, finance and loan underwriting, and as a mortgage loan officer, commercial loan officer and commercial loan portfolio manager. Bigger serves on the boards of two United Way Partner agencies, the Aiken County Helpline/211 and the Community Ministry of North Augusta. In addition, he is appointed as a commissioner on the City of North Augusta’s Planning Commission.

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