Two CUSOs Select Talent for Leadership Roles

WEST

The $1.7 billion, Carson City, Nev.-based Greater Nevada Credit Union hired Jen Treadway as SVP of people and culture. In her new role, she will drive the development and implementation of strategies designed to cultivate an exceptional people experience that engages employees throughout their journeys as Greater Nevadans. In doing so, she will oversee the people resources, people talent and engagement, and people development teams. Treadway brings 20 years of experience in people operations, during which time she gained expertise in talent management, training, employee experience, human relations and organizational development. Her career has spanned several industries including the credit union space, technology, aerospace engineering and gaming. She also holds a master of science in industrial organizational psychology.

Vantage West Credit Union ($2.6 billion, Tucson, Ariz.), promoted Keysha Webb to SVP, strategy and market development. In her new role, Webb will pursue new market opportunities that will increase and deepen member relationships, and lead teams that support membership growth and engagement. This will involve driving initiatives that integrate and analyze diverse data insights to inform a breadth of business decisions, including brand and community awareness, marketing, financial inclusion, community development, non-interest income and payment strategies. Since joining Vantage West in 2011, Webb has fulfilled key leadership roles in internal audit, branch administration, member experience, the Member Solutions Center (contact center) and digital banking. She previously served as a financial auditor for a publicly traded health care company and a local CPA firm specializing in government and non-profits. She holds an MBA with concentrations in management information systems and marketing from the University of Arizona, Eller College of Business and Public Administration. Webb also serves on The Care Fund’s Tucson Advisory Council, a non-profit providing mortgage and rent assistance to families experiencing financial hardship due to their child’s unforeseen medical challenges.

MIDWEST

The Mid-Michigan Chapter of Credit Unions named Joshua Buck, network administrator for Members First Credit Union ($814 million, Midland, Mich.), as its first recipient of the Ignite Award. The Ignite Award was created to showcase a young professional who exhibits a firm belief and dedication to credit union principles. Buck, who has worked at MFCU since 2016, received the award April 5 during the Mid-Michigan Chapter of Credit Unions’ Annual Meeting in Midland. In addition to his role as network administrator at MFCU, Buck is the advocacy director for District 2 of the FUEL MI Young Professional group and is actively involved with the credit union action committee.

EAST

Jeff Bentley, president/CEO for the $4.1 billion, Herndon, Va.-based Northwest Federal Credit Union, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce at its Stars Over Dulles Awards gala in early March. The Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to create an environment where business leaders come together to create, develop and share ideas aimed at making the Dulles region a center for business and community growth.

SOUTH

The $4.7 billion, Lake Jackson, Texas-based TDECU hired Joe Kaessner as vice president of strategic investments and ventures. In his new role, Kaessner will be responsible for overseeing the exploration, due diligence and onboarding of new business acquisitions and investments that will generate a financial return, drive efficiencies and enhance the member experience. He brings more than 14 years of experience in the finance industry, and is a Chartered Financial Analyst and Certified Public Accountant with tenures at a variety of Houston-area companies including Ernst & Young LLP, Hein & Associates LLP, FMI Capital Advisors, Inc. and Cowen and Company. Most recently, Kaessner served as the international finance director for Intermodal Tank Transport. He holds master’s degrees in finance and accounting from the University of Denver in Colorado.

CUSOS

CUSO Home Lending, a licensed mortgage company based in Hampden, Maine, selected Lori Michaud as president/CEO. CUSO Home Lending was founded in 1993, and Michaud was there at that time as its underwriting manager. She has served as interim CEO since September 2022, and has been part of the CUSO’s leadership team for the past 25 years. Michaud is currently president of the board for the Maine Association of Mortgage Professionals, president of the New England Credit Union Real Estate Network, a member of the steering committee for the Maine Sister Society of the Global Women’s Leadership Network, and a past board member for Greater Bangor Habitat for Humanity.

The Minneapolis, Minn.-based commercial lending CUSO United Financial Capital hired Jim Hoopes as chief lending officer. In his new role, Hoopes will oversee both emerging and existing commercial lending strategies, as well as the risk management function for the lender. In addition, he will be responsible for overseeing all lending activities, including developing and implementing lending strategies, setting lending policies and ensuring compliance with all lending regulations. Hoopes brings more than 38 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate finance, having most recently served as SVP – senior director for NorthMarq. He is currently the president of commercial real estate association NAIOP Minnesota.

VENDORS

Constant, a loan management software fintech, announced a new hire and two promotions. RuthAnn Riggs was hired into the newly-created role of chief growth officer. In her new role, Riggs will lead the expansion of Constant’s software for credit unions to automate their manual loan servicing processes and enable members to self-serve. She previously served as COO for the CUSO Credit Union Loan Source and as SVP for SunTrust Bank.

Lindsay Wescott was promoted to SVP, customer delivery. In her new role, Wescott will oversee pre-sales support and the implementation and onboarding of new clients.

Nicole Cluff was promoted to vice president, head of customer success and services. In her new role, Cluff will focus on improving the client and customer experience and expanding the company’s professional and managed services.

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