Professionals Hired, Promoted & Honored at 7 Credit Unions & CUSOs

WEST

Deb Evans, market area leader for the $2 billion, Spokane Valley, Wash.-based Horizon Credit Union and former president/CEO for the $134 million, Great Falls, Mont.-based Embark Credit Union, will retire on April 28, 2023 after 46 years in the financial industry and a 24-year career in credit unions. She began working in credit unions in 1999, joining Embark (formerly Great Falls Teachers Federal Credit Union) in 2001 as vice president of human resources, marketing and compliance. After a year-long departure from the credit union, she returned in 2006 to accept the position of president/CEO. She has served on multiple boards, including the board of directors for United Way, Great Falls Development Authority, Great Falls Symphony, University of Providence, Great Falls International Airport and Dean’s Advisory Committee at Great Falls College MSU. In 2006 she received the Great Falls Chamber’s ATHENA award – an award honoring women who achieved high levels of professional accomplishment, excelled in their field and gave back to their community in meaningful ways. She was also recognized in 2017 as Montana’s Credit Union Professional of the Year.

The $1.2 billion, Ventura, Calif.-based Ventura County Credit Union promoted Sean P. McCulloch to vice president of member services. McCulloch has spent 44 years in the financial services industry, having served in leadership, sales and service, including roles in customer service and retail branch management. He most recently spent eight years as vice president of commercial lending for VCCU. He also gained experience in commercial real estate, as well as commercial, industrial and construction lending. McCulloch sits on the board of the Ventura County Contractors Association and serves as board president of the Ventura County Medical Resources Foundation.

The $1.4 billion, Van Nuys, Calif.-based Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union hired Carrie Padden as vice president of business intelligence, payments and account servicing, effective April 17. In her new role, Padden is responsible for driving member value and growth for the credit union. She brings more than a decade of financial institution experience, having most recently served as vice president of operations at Logix Federal Credit Union ($9.6 billion, Valencia, Calif.). In 2022, she was chosen as a CUNA GAC Crasher. Padden is currently working toward her bachelor’s degree in business administration at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif., was a participant in the Filene Innovation Lab in 2022 and served as a mentor in the Logix Mentorship Program.

EAST

The $238 million, Jay, Maine-based OTIS Federal Credit Union announced three promotions and two new hires.

Jannell Pomeroy was promoted to teller supervisor. She most recently served as a teller for OTIS for four years.

Emma Blaisdell was promoted to assistant teller supervisor. She most recently served as a teller.

Natalie Allen was promoted to member specialist/IRAs. She most recently served as a teller for OTIS for over two and a half years.

Amber McKenna was hired as a teller.

Brandy Dustin was hired as a teller.

MIDWEST

The $98 million Serve Credit Union in Des Moines, Iowa announced two new hires.

Kat Sukup was hired as CFO. In her new role, Sukup will oversee and manage the financial and accounting functions of the credit union. She brings more than 20 years of financial and operational experience, having most recently spent 20 years at First Class Community Credit Union ($99 million, West Des Moines, Iowa) as CFO and EVP. She holds a Certified Credit Union Executive designation.

Michael Weeks was hired as administrative coordinator. In this newly-created position, Weeks will provide administrative and accounting assistance to the management team. He will primarily handle payroll processing, wires and reconcilement functions, as well as coordinate monthly board/committee meetings.

SOUTH

Jason Guyton, member experience advocate for the $1.2 billion, Hoover, Ala.-based Avadian Credit Union, was selected by U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville as April’s Veteran of the Month. Each month, Tuberville recognizes one of Alabama’s heroes for their service to the military and their communities. Following a successful wrestling career at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he became the first freshman in school history to compete for a NCAA Division Championship, Guyton enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves as a chemical operations specialist while maintaining a day job as an operations manager at West Corporation. While in the reserves, he was deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, where he ensured sites were safe from nuclear chemicals and biological threats. He currently works at Avadian’s Hunstville branch and is a wrestling ambassador, particularly to those in disadvantaged communities.

CUSOS

SwitchThink Solutions, a Phoenix-based IT services CUSO formed in partnership with Corelation, hired David Lindner to its leadership team as an executive consultant. In his new role, he will explore new partnership and growth opportunities within financial technology for SwitchThink Solutions to help expand the company’s distribution channels and markets. Linder brings nearly 20 years of financial services experience, including experience with technology solution delivery. Most recently, he led sales and marketing for the startup Constellation Digital Partners. He also spent 14 years with Fiserv in business development and account management roles.

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