Truliant FCU & Redwood CU Hire New Execs in Lending, Retail

WEST

The $7.6 billion, Santa Rosa, Calif.-based Redwood Credit Union hired Brian Kreitzer as vice president of mortgage lending. In his new role, Kreitzer is responsible for overseeing and leading all mortgage lending activities, which includes strategically expanding mortgage offerings to members while ensuring exceptional service. He will focus on operational excellence, risk management for the organization and its members, and driving continuous improvement within the team. Kreitzer brings more than 30 years of mortgage lending experience, having previously overseen teams engaged in mortgage sales, processing, underwriting and closing. Prior to joining RCU, he held positions as a vice president in mortgage origination and servicing with Wells Fargo, Wachovia, and World Savings and Loan.

The $2.2 billion, Bremerton, Wash.-based Kitsap Credit Union announced the election of Lucy Lu as its new supervisory committee member. Lu brings diversified experience across both not-for-profit organizations and for-profit publicly traded companies in finance, accounting, auditing, taxation and board presentations across a nearly 20-year career. She currently serves as the controller for the Washington Education Association. Before that, she was the CFO for the Association of Washington Cities (AWC), the AWC Employee Benefit Trust and the AWC Risk Management Service Agency. She also previously served as the SVP, chief risk officer for AMC Entertainment. Lu joined AMC after 10 years at Starbucks, where she worked in tax, internal audit and international accounting, including one year at Starbucks Asia Pacific Holding Company in Hong Kong. Prior to immigrating to the U.S. in 2002, she worked in business development with Walmart China. Lu is bilingual (English and Mandarin Chinese), and holds a CPA and CFE, as well as an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst.

Alexis Fitzpatrick, CFO for the $4.4 billion, Folsom, Calif.-based SAFE Credit Union, will continue to serve as an executive member on CUNA’s Finance Council. Council membership elected Fitzpatrick and other committee executives as well as committee officers just prior to the association’s annual conference in May. Fitzpatrick originally took on the role for an exiting-executive committee member in March. At SAFE, Fitzpatrick provides insight and guidance into SAFE’s financial condition and performance, as well as participates in the organization’s strategic and business planning activities. Previously SVP of finance for SAFE, she became the credit union’s CFO in January 2023.

EAST

The $2.1 billion, Lowell, Mass.-based Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union promoted Michael Dubuque to EVP and COO. In his new role, Dubuque will oversee the daily operations of the credit union in the areas of member experience, technology, marketing, operations, risk, compliance and security. He will also lead the operational functions, foster innovation and drive the execution of strategic initiatives. Dubuque joined Jeanne D’Arc in 2012 as vice president of mortgage lending and was promoted to SVP and chief member experience officer in 2018. He serves on several boards including as a trustee of Tufts Medicine/Lowell General Hospital, member of the University of Massachusetts Lowell Athletic Advisory Board, and director of both the Bentley Executive Club and We Share a Common Thread Foundation. In the credit union industry, he serves as a board member on EasCorp’s Association of Credit Union Senior Officers, as an advocacy committee member of the Cooperative Credit Union Association and on the steering committee of the Callahan Credit Union Financial Services Limited Partnership. He holds an MBA from Bentley University in Waltham, Mass.

MIDWEST

Royal Credit Union ($4.7 billion, Eau Claire, Wis.) promoted Matthew Tuinstra to regional mortgage sales manager for the credit union’s St. Croix Valley and Metro regions in Minnesota. In his new role, Tuinstra is responsible for serving the mortgage loan team in Royal’s offices across the St. Croix Valley and Metro markets, and providing support through product development, quality service and strategic marketing. Tuinstra began working for Royal in 2016 as a mortgage loan officer and was promoted to his previous role as a mortgage market supervisor in April 2021. He serves on the board of directors for the New Richmond Area Chamber of Commerce and New Richmond Area Food Shelf, both in New Richmond, Wis.

SOUTH

The $4.3 billion, Winston Salem, N.C.-based Truliant Federal Credit Union hired Kristi Straw into the newly-created role of chief retail banking officer. In her new role, Straw will serve on the chief planning team and be responsible for organizing, planning and strategically directing the activities of Truliant’s branch network, call center and financial advisors. She will be responsible for creating and managing high-performing teams that drive lending and deposits, and ensure growth and high-quality service for Truliant members. Straw most recently served as president of community banking at Bank OZK. Before that, she worked at US Bancorp Investments, CommunityAmerica Credit Union ($4.7 billion, Lenexa, Kan.), Morgan Stanley, UMB Financial Corporation and Wells Fargo Financial Mortgage. She holds an MBA from Baker University in Baldwin City, Kan. Straw is a 2023 Charlotte Business Journal Women in Business honoree, and was one of 20 “Big Wigs” chosen this year to support and raise funds for Carolina Breast Friends in Charlotte, N.C. “Big Wigs” commit to wearing pink wigs in their community to raise funds and awareness of breast cancer.

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