5 CU Professionals Make Headway in Their Careers

WEST

The $2.3 billion, Vancouver, Wash.-based Columbia Credit Union hired Edina Rizvic into the newly-created position of vice president of digital experience. Rizvic brings 13 years of financial services experience, having previously served in operational, branch, lending and strategy roles. She also holds a Project Management (PMP) certification. Rizvic is one of the leaders of the Global Women’s Leadership Network Portland/Vancouver chapter has served as a mentor to the princesses for the Portland, Ore., Rose Festival Court.

The $4.8 billion, Vacaville, Calif.-based Travis Credit Union hired Grady Bond as chief retail officer. In his new role, Bond will assume responsibility for branch management, member experience, the member relationship center, wealth management, digital services, deposits and payment products. He most recently served as EVP, head of consumer, business and wealth deposit product and strategy at Bank of the West. He previously served in diverse roles at TD Bank, Chase and Bank of America, gaining experience in branch management, product management and consumer banking strategy.

EAST

Michael Huff, vice president of government relations and public policy for the $165.2 billion, Vienna, Va.-based Navy Federal Credit Union, was appointed to the Virginia Credit Union League’s board of directors. He will serve as an at-large director until the League board’s 2024 elections. At Navy Federal, Huff oversees the government relations and policy team, managing the development and implementation of the credit union’s enterprise-wide government relations and public policy program. Prior to joining Navy Federal, Huff was vice president of government relations for the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta. Previously, he directed Ginnie Mae’s first congressional affairs office. Earlier in his career, he served in congressional affairs and communications roles for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Air Marshal Service. Huff began his federal service as a Federal Air Marshal after the 9/11 attacks, following decorated service in the United States Air Force.

The $2.7 billion, Rome, N.Y.-based AmeriCU Credit Union promoted Heather Wood to assistant vice president of strategic partnerships. Wood has over 20 years of experience in the credit union industry, as well as knowledge in consumer lending and bank operations. She joined AmeriCU in 2003 as a part-time teller and has since held the roles of member relationship advisor, financial center manager and assistant vice president of operations. In her new role, she will cultivate and foster relationships with existing and potential partners, as well as work with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaboration, innovation and efficiency improvement. Wood attended the American Institute of Banking for Business Administration, Management, and Operations.

SOUTH

Ceara Bindl, IT project coordinator for the $965 million, Austin-based Greater Texas|Aggieland Credit Union, was named the 2023 Tech Rising Star by the CUNA IT Council. Bindl was selected based on her contributions to managing a core conversion for the credit union. The project, which spanned nearly 18 months, required Bindl to quickly master Fiserv’s DNA core system, along with dozens of other applications that were integrated into the new system. She also oversaw the coordination and workflow of more than 40 vendors and internal stakeholders across the organization, managing risk factors and assisting in the daily execution of complex tasks. Greater Texas|Aggieland promoted Bindl to her current role following her service as a branch manager for the credit union.

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