3 Credit Unions Hire & Promote 6 Professionals

EAST

The $2.4 billion, Suitland, Md.-based Andrews Federal Credit Union promoted Linda Thompson to director of payment systems. In her new role, Thompson will continue to lead payment systems and programs for the credit union. Her responsibilities will include supporting system conversions, ACH origination, remote deposit capture enhancement, and member product and service implementations. Thompson will also continue to manage and monitor domestic and international wires, person-to-person payment services and Regulation E inquiries. Thompson joined Andrews Federal in 2015 as payment systems manager. She previously served at Transportation Federal Credit Union ($273 million, Alexandria, Va.), as well as at several military-focused credit unions. She is an accredited ACH professional and is currently pursuing a National Check Payments certification.

The $2.3 billion, Lawrence, Mass.-based Merrimack Valley Credit Union announced four promotions to the newly-created positions of regional sales and service manager.

Julie Brady will manage the Merrimack Valley region, working from the Lawrence office. Her career in financial services began at Fleet Bank in 1996 and her experience in leadership roles dates to 2003. Brady has worked as a financial service representative (FSR), senior FSR, assistant manager, branch manager and vice president branch manager. She began working at MVCU in the summer of 2022 as sales performance manager.

Niki Charalambous will oversee the state’s North Shore region, working from the Danvers, Mass., office. Her career in financial services began nearly 30 years ago as a teller and she has since held the positions of head teller, FSR, loan processor, assistant manager, manager, underwriter and regional manager. She also has experience working in business development and began working for RTN Federal Credit Union – now MVCU – in 2017.

Kevin Zipps will manage the Metro West/Boston region, working from the Waltham, Mass., office. He began his financial services career 23 years ago as a teller. He has held the roles of member service representative, head teller, assistant branch manager, branch manager and assistant vice president of consumer lending. He has worked for RTN since May 2022.

Jim Kruskall will oversee the region south of Boston, working from the Bridgewater, Mass., office. He began working for Bridgewater Credit Union, a division of MVCU, 15 years ago as a teller. He has also worked in the positions of FSR, assistant branch manager and operations manager, and has been the branch manager in both Plymouth, Mass., and Bridgewater for the past 10 years.

SOUTH

The $1.3 billion First Florida Credit Union in Jacksonville, Fla., hired Stuart Davis as community relations and member development manager. In his new role, Davis will oversee financial literacy outreach programs, community events and sponsorships. Davis brings more than a decade of business development and marketing experience, having previously worked for companies including Smoak, Davis & Nixon LLP, T.L. Cannon Applebee’s and Cold Stone Creamery. He is a member of local chambers of commerce in Florida’s Clay County, Nassau County, St. Johns County and Jacksonville, and won chamber person of the year in Nassau County in 2019.

LEAGUES

The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues announced that Western CUNA Management School (WCMS) made three new appointments. In addition, WCMS announced one retirement.

Brandi Gleason joined WCMS as provost and COO. In her new role, Gleason will manage the school’s robust administrative structure while providing direct assistance to students and alumni.

Cyndee Lemon was named director of support services. Lemon brings an extensive credit union background and is currently director of operations and human resources for the $239 million, San Jose, Calif.-based Pacific Postal Credit Union.

Cory McDaniel was named director of campus activities. McDaniel currently serves as chief lending officer at the $1.1 billion University Credit Union in Los Angeles.

In their new roles, Lemon and McDaniel will give back to the movement by contributing to the next generation of credit union leaders during the rigorous two-week, face-to-face portion of the curriculum occurring every July when WCMS students and faculty gather onsite at Pomona College in Claremont, Calif.

Nancy Wood, director of school administration, will retire from WCMS this December. Wood has served in her current role with WCMS since 2012, and she served as director of support services prior to that for 11 years.

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