8 Credit Unions & 3 Service Providers Announce Career Moves

WEST

The $7.6 billion Redwood Credit Union in Santa Rosa, Calif., hired Esteban Zuno as vice president of wealth management. In his new role, Zuno will plan, organize and manage RCU’s wealth management program offered through its broker-dealer CUSO Financial Services, L.P., with a focus on the provision of excellent member satisfaction. His responsibilities will also include building the program through deposits, alternative and full-service investments, and retirement products and services. Zuno will be based at RCU’s new Napa campus on Devlin Road in Napa, Calif. Prior to joining RCU, Zuno worked for U.S. Bancorp Investments for 11 years. He holds an executive certificate of financial planning from Loyola Marymount University and serves on the Bank Insurance and Securities Association’s future leader committee. In addition, Zuno was a founding member and director of United Through Education and the finance co-chair of the East Palo Alto Academy Foundation.

EAST

The $3.1 billion, Chelsea, Mass.-based Metro Credit Union announced one promotion and one re-hire.

Roxana Rivadeneira was promoted to branch manager of the Lawrence branch in Lawrence, Mass. Rivadeneira joined Metro in 2011 as a senior branch sales and service representative. In 2019, she was promoted to branch supervisor, and in 2021, she was promoted to assistant branch manager.

Kristine DeBellis was re-hired by Metro as branch manager of its Tewksbury branch in Tewksbury, Mass. DeBellis served as branch manager of the Tewksbury location for five years and is returning to the role after one year at Digital Federal Credit Union ($11.5 billion, Marlborough, Mass.). Previously, she was the assistant branch manager at Metro’s Burlington location in Burlington, Mass., and prior to joining Metro, she was a store manager at Salem Five Bank.

In their new roles, Rivadeneira and DeBellis are responsible for managing daily operations at their respective branches; supervising, coaching and assisting with staff development; determining individual and team sales goals; and working directly with Metro members to provide financial guidance and education.

Carmen F. Sylvester, president/CEO for the $341 million, Fairhaven, Mass.-based Alltrust Credit Union, received an honorary doctorate from Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I. Sylvester, who joined Alltrust in August of 2017, was nominated to receive the honorary doctorate for her 30 years of service in the financial services industry. She earned a bachelor of science in finance and a human resources certification from Bryant University, and holds the Professional Human Resources designation. She also studied at the University of Colorado Financial Management School and at Rockhurst University National Seminars. In 2020, Sylvester was one of the recipients of the New England Women in Banking Award.

MIDWEST

The $2.1 billion, Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Consumers Credit Union hired Chad Springer as a commercial loan officer. In his new role, he will serve Michigan’s Lakeshore market, supporting business owners from the credit union’s South Haven, Riley and Washington offices in South Haven and Holland, Mich. He brings more than two decades of experience in the financial industry, and is a founding member and emeritus board member of the Jason Kinzler Family First Foundation, which supports families in West Michigan with minor children who have experienced the unexpected loss of a parent and/or primary caregiver.

SOUTH

Jim Minge, president/CEO for the $2 billion, Arlington, Texas-based Texas Trust Credit Union, was named a 2023 Most Admired CEO by the Dallas Business Journal. The honorees are North Texas business leaders recognized for the exemplary stewardship of their companies, cultivating an inclusive and collaborative work environment, and having positively contributed to the strength and stability of the local community. Of the 29 leaders selected, Minge is the sole representative from the credit union industry to earn this year’s award. He and the 28 other honorees were honored during a special event June 15. The honorees are also being featured in a special publication in the Dallas Business Journal. Minge has been with Texas Trust since 2011.

The $2.8 billion, Lake Mary, Fla.-based Addition Financial Credit Union hired Tillery Durbin as regional sales director. In her new role, Durbin will be the principal relationship manager for the Jacksonville, Fla., market, and will focus on commercial business banking. Durbin has been working in credit unions for 10 years, including nine specifically in the commercial field, and most recently served at 121 Financial Credit Union ($684 million, Jacksonville).

The $4.3 billion Robins Financial Credit Union in Warner Robins, Ga., announced a retirement and a new hire.

Robins Financial CFO Scott Kletcke retired on July 1. Kletcke joined Robins Financial in 1997 and has played a crucial role in the credit union’s financial operations, growth and success over the years, according to the credit union.

Brant Malone succeeded Kletcke as the organization’s new CFO. Malone brings an extensive background in credit unions, having most recently served as SVP of finance and administration for a large credit union in Alabama. He also brings an extensive background in financial management, strategic planning and operational excellence.

LEAGUES

Hank Halter, CEO of the $9.1 billion, Atlanta-based Delta Community Credit Union, was appointed chairman of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates’ (LSCU) board of directors. Halter was recently elected to a new three-year term on the LSCU board and now also serves as chairman of the Southeastern Credit Union Foundation’s (SECUF) board of trustees. His tenure as chairman at LSCU and SECUF began on June 15 and runs for one year. Halter has been CEO of Delta Community since 2013, following his retirement as CFO of Delta Air Lines in 2012.

VENDORS

Strategic planning, branding and marketing firm Your Marketing Co. announced two new hires and two promotions.

Autumn English was hired as vice president of digital strategy. Her previous experience includes digital marketing posts at Food Lion and Bank of America, and most recently she served as digital director at Elevation Church.

Casey Markowitz was hired as a marketing strategist. In her new role, Markowitz will work directly with credit unions to achieve their goals with thoughtful strategy to build member relationships. She previously served as a marketing strategist for Gumas Marketing in San Francisco, whose clients included several credit unions.

Corey Hudgins was promoted to vice president of operations. Hudgins joined Your Marketing Co. more than a year ago and previously served as senior project manager. She joined the firm after a 21-year career in agency work, most recently as associate director of production services at Erwin-Penland.

Jennifer Pham was promoted to vice president of creative. Pham most recently served as vice president of ideas and results for Your Marketing Co. She started her career as a graphic designer for Sustainable Carolina before moving to the African American Professors Program. She then joined Your Marketing Co. as a junior graphic designer before advancing to graphic designer, lead designer and later vice president. Pham is a graduate of Your Marketing Co.’s Future Leaders of YMC (FLY) leadership development program.

The global fintech Backbase announced three new hires.

Anne Miela was hired as SVP of delivery. In her new postition, Miela will play a key role in driving growth in core technology and implementation methodology as an important aspect of the company’s platform delivery. She brings experience in core/digital conversion for community banks and credit unions from her tenures at firms including Fiserv, NCR Corporation and Nymbus.

Brian McNutt was hired as vice president of product management. McNutt brings over 18 years of experience in direct digital banking product management, having previously implemented market strategies at Alkami Technology, Lumin Digital and ACI Worldwide. In his new role, he will shape and propel product innovation for Backbase’s U.S. midmarket to ensure customer satisfaction.

Donna Bumpass was hired as regional vice president of community bank sales. Bumpass brings two decades of experience in leadership roles in the community banking sector, having previously served at Fortune 500 banking and technology companies including FIS Global, Fiserv and most recently Paychex. In her new role, she will spearhead business development efforts to expand business in the mid-market segment.

The Tampa, Fla.-based financial services consulting firm Engage fi promoted Andres Pasantes to president and COO. Pasantes has over 25 years of industry experience in senior executive roles at Fiserv, FIS and D+H, and joined Engage fi last year. In his new role, he will continue to drive the Engage fi mission of guiding financial institutions through strategic planning sessions and complex vendor assessments, pricing negotiations and contract reviews.

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