2 Northeast Credit Unions Hire New Talent

EAST

The $879 million, Chesapeake, Va.-based ABNB Federal Credit Union hired Joseph D. Pennington as SVP and CFO. In his new role, Pennington will oversee the finance, accounting, enterprise risk management and operations departments. He is a CPA and brings more than more than 23 years of financial industry experience in a variety of leadership roles with community banks, public accounting firms and the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Va.

The $468 million, Orono, Maine-based University Credit Union hired Ree Anna Bridges as a community engagement manager representing the Downeast Maine community from UCU’s new branch in Powers Hall at the University of Maine’s Machias campus. In her new role, Bridges serves as an ambassador working to build relationships with community stakeholders to advance the financial well-being of Maine people. She will participate, host and volunteer in local activities; serve on nonprofit boards and committees; host financial education workshops and events to improve financial literacy; engage with local municipalities, schools and institutions as a community partner; and identify opportunities for financial sponsorship. Bridges most recently worked for Jobs for Maine’s Graduates as a specialist helping to break down barriers that hinder students’ progress into the workforce, including equipping students with essential life skills, financial literacy, time management and organizational skills. Prior to that, she was a science teacher at School District AOS 96 for nine years in Machias.

TRADES

America’s Credit Union Museum in Manchester, N.H., announced six board appointments.

Kristi Arrington, vice president of Growth by Design for the League of Southeastern Credit Unions, was elected chair and will serve as the first female board chair for America’s Credit Union Museum.

Marina Miller, vice president of credit union history and culture for the $28.7 billion, Tustin, Calif.-based SchoolsFirst Credit Union, was elected vice chair.

Ron McLean, president/CEO of the Cooperative Credit Union Association, was elected treasurer.

Merry Pateuk, SVP of industry engagement for PSCU, was elected secretary.

Bruce Adams, president/CEO of the Credit Union League of Connecticut, joined the board.

Jeff Olson, president/CEO of the Dakota Credit Union Association, joined the board.

VENDORS

CDFI certification and grant-writing firm CU Strategic Planning hired Joseph (Joe) Brancucci as EVP in the firm’s new CU Results division. Brancucci most recently served as SVP of lending at Financial Partners Credit Union ($2.2 billion, Downey, Calif.). He previously served as the first president of the CUSO CU Rate Reset (now Finofr), president/CEO of GTE Financial ($2.9 billion, Tampa, Fla.), EVP at BECU ($28.9 billion, Tukwila, Wash.) and chairman/CEO/founder of Prime Alliance, among other roles. His industry recognition has included being named the CU Times CEO Trailblazer of the Year in 2013. CU Results will work with credit unions to create relevant, mission-driven and sustainable strategies for success, focusing on meeting goals set by boards and in CDFI grants, significantly and safely increasing lending, identifying opportunities within credit unions’ communities, and achieving financial sustainability that directly translates into improving members’ lives.

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