CUs in New Mexico, Maine, South Dakota & Texas Welcome New C-Suite Leaders

WEST

The $3.6 billion, Albuquerque, N.M.-based Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union hired Tyler D. Livingston into the newly-created position of chief risk officer. In his new role, Livingston is responsible for leading the design, development and implementation of a comprehensive enterprise risk management program in alignment with the credit union’s organizational goals and business strategy. He previously served as head of operational risk management for MUFG, head of financial risk and controls for international financial holding company SVB, and SVP and director of enterprise risk management for East West Bank in San Francisco, according to his LinkedIn page. He also served as the interim financial services practice director for a global consulting firm and as a senior financial services consultant for a large public accounting firm. His career began as an internal auditor for a regional bank in Salt Lake City. Livingston holds an executive MBA from Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz.

EAST

Mario D. Mejia, vice president of delivery channels for Democracy Federal Credit Union ($186 million, Alexandria, Va.), received a Distinguished Graduate Award from Western Governors University, an accredited online university. He was one of 15 alumni selected nationwide this year to receive the award. WGU selects Distinguished Graduates for their work and volunteer efforts that go above and beyond, making a significant impact in their communities and career fields. Mejia earned an MBA from WGU in 2018 and has served as chair of the Young Professional Network, an ambassador for the African American Credit Union Coalition, and a representative of various chambers of commerce, the Hispanic Leadership Connection and Loudoun Interfaith Relief. He is also an avid philanthropist, ordained minister and Certified Financial Counselor. Mejia is a past recipient of Credit Union Magazine’s Rock Star award, CU Times’ Trailblazer Award, the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce’s 40 Under 40 award, the MD|DC Credit Union Association’s Excellence in Social Responsibility Award for financial development in the community and several CUNA Diamond awards.

The $336 million, Fairhaven, Mass.-based Alltrust Credit Union promoted Vanessa Franklin to branch manager. Franklin joined Alltrust in 2010 as a full-time teller and has since held various positions within the retail department. She most recently served as assistant branch manager, assisting in both the Fairhaven and New Bedford, Mass., branches. In her new role, Franklin will be managing the New Bedford branch as well as assisting in the Fairhaven location. In addition to overseeing branch operations and compliance, she will also be responsible for the branch’s growth, and establishing and maintaining a high-quality service culture.

Jon Kirssin, chairman of the board of directors for the $7.1 billion, Enola, Pa.-based Members 1st Federal Credit Union, was selected as Volunteer of the Year by NAFCU. Kirssin and other honorees of NAFCU’s 2023 annual awards competition will be honored during the association’s Congressional Caucus in Washington, D.C., scheduled for Sept. 10-13. This year’s NAFCU annual awards competition honored eight winners in total who were selected by a committee of credit union leaders. Nominees for CEO of the Year, Credit Union of the Year, Professional of the Year and Volunteer of the Year were judged in two categories: Credit unions with assets of more than $500 million and those with assets of $500 million or less. Kirssin was named a winner among credit unions with more than $500 million in assets.

The $250 million, Lewiston, Maine-based Maine Family Federal Credit Union hired Andrew McGeorge as EVP and CFO. McGeorge most recently served as treasurer and CFO for the Unitarian Universalist Association, a Boston-based 501(c)(3), and brings extensive experience in credit unions and financial services. His most recent credit union role was as CFO for Service Federal Credit Union ($5.4 billion, Portsmouth, N.H.), and he formerly served as vice chair of the CUNA Finance Council. He holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and a Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

MIDWEST

The $161 million, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.-based Sentinel Federal Credit Union promoted Peter Kottwitz to chief lending officer. Kottwitz joined SFCU in 2018 and has since grown the credit union’s commercial portfolio from near $0 to over $60 million in loans under management, making it the largest lending function in terms of dollars within SFCU. He has extensive experience in underwriting, particularly in commercial, agricultural and consumer lending. Kottwitz has also actively engaged with the community over the past eight years, serving as a board member for the Black Hills Community Economic Development Inc. and the Business & Accounting Advisory Board Western Dakota Technical Institute.

SOUTH

The $3.9 billion UFCU in Austin, Texas hired Christy Soukhamneut as chief lending officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for overseeing the consumer lending organization, which is comprised of one of the largest mortgage and direct auto lending teams in Central Texas, and providing leadership to the business banking/commercial lending group. Soukhamneut most recently worked for Texas Capital Bank, where she served as SVP and then managing director for the bank’s mortgage finance group. Before that, she led sales teams for a mid-sized independent mortgage bank. She currently sits on the boards of Voxtur, Trained, Halcyon and Beneath the Surface Foundation, an organization founded by special operations veterans dedicated to combating the negative impacts of combat on the mental health of those who served. She is also a partner with Blue Wolf Coaching and subject matter expert for Stratmor. Earlier in her career, she was the chief of staff and director for Flagstar Bank’s mortgage division; she also served on the board of advisors for Freddie Mac.

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