12 CU Professional Careers Advance While One Concludes

WEST

Brandi Schaefer, senior mortgage officer for the $4.7 billion, Folsom, Calif.-based SAFE Credit Union, was named Mortgage Professional of the Year by the North State Building Industry Association at the nonprofit trade association’s 47th annual Major Achievements in Marketing Excellence gala in September. Schaefer is a two-time winner of this award, as she was previously named Mortgage Professional of the Year in 2019. She began her career in the industry 26 years ago and has worked for the SAFE mortgage lending team for 12 years.

EAST

Tiffany Abele, assistant vice president of talent solutions for the $2.7 billion, Rome, N.Y.-based AmeriCU Credit Union, received the Mohawk Valley Society for Human Resource Management (MVSHRM) Volunteer of the Year Award at the MVSHRM Annual Awards reception on Oct. 17 in Rome. She was selected for her exceptional dedication, commitment and remarkable contributions to MVSHRM and New York’s Mohawk Valley. MVSHRM is a local chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management. Abele serves on the board for MVSHRM and is also a board member for the Rome Chamber of Commerce. She recently completed the Leadership Mohawk Valley program through the Center for Leadership Excellence and a Senior Professional in Human Resources Certification.

The $303 million First Capital Federal Credit Union in York, Pa., hired Julie Fisher as branch manager of the South York Branch. Fisher brings more than 20 years of banking experience, having begun her career as a teller, head teller and assistant manager for Baltimore County Savings Bank, where she worked for 10 years. She then served 10 years at Rosedale Federal Savings and Loan Association in Maryland as a branch manager and assistant vice president/branch manager. Most recently, she served as operations manager for the $113 million, York-based White Rose Credit Union. In her new role, Fisher will oversee the operations of the South York Branch and provide the best possible in-branch member experience.

SOUTH

The $292 million, West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Guardians Credit Union hired Maria Darias as member relations manager for its South Florida Financial Credit Union (SFFCU) Miami Division. Darias previously worked at the same branch, which was known as VAH Miami Federal Credit Union at the time, and brings 14 years of experience as a branch manager for the former General Mills Employees Credit Union in Lansing, Ill. She also previously worked for the University of Miami. Her previous roles encompassed responsibilities such as cash handling, member services, business development and marketing.

The $277 million, Bowling Green, Ky.-based Service One Credit Union promoted Justin Morris to president and chief strategy officer. In his new role, Morris will lead Service One’s executive team. He has been with Service One since 2005, starting as a part-time teller while pursuing his education at Western Kentucky University, from which he now holds an MBA. Throughout his career at Service One, Morris has held various roles in operations, accounting, compliance and risk management.

Laurie Cappelli, president/CEO for the $1.1 billion Community Credit Union of Florida in Rockledge, announced her plans to retire in the summer of 2024. Cappelli joined Community CU 27 years ago as a member service representative, and has since held multiple roles within the organization, including vice president of lending and SVP, prior to her appointment as CEO.

LEAGUES

The Cooperative Credit Union Association, which serves credit unions throughout Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, made six board announcements.

Frederick Reinhardt, president/CEO of the $821 million, Warwick, R.I.-based Greenwood Credit Union, was named board chair.

Anabela P. Grenier, president/CEO of the $149 million, Springfield, Mass.-based Pioneer Valley Federal Credit Union, was elected to a new three-year term and will serve as vice chair.

Maurice W. Dawkins, president/CEO of the $76 million, Newark, Del.-based American Spirit Federal Credit Union, was elected to a new three-year term and will serve as second vice chair.

Scott MacKnight, president/CEO of the $910 million, Nashua, N.H.-based Triangle Credit Union, was elected to a new three-year term and will serve as treasurer.

David Araujo, president/CEO of the $5.4 billion, Portsmouth, N.H.-based Service Credit Union, was elected to a new three-year term and will serve as secretary.

Eileen Danahey, president/CEO of the $1.1 billion, Fall River, Mass.-based St. Anne’s Credit Union, was elected to a new three-year term.

The Oklahoma Credit Union Association, the government affairs arm of the Cornerstone League, hired Thomas C. Lewis II as executive director, effective Oct. 19. Lewis is a specialist in political campaign management, constituent relations and community outreach, and is based at the Credit Union House in Oklahoma City. From 2015 to 2021, Lewis was the field representative and deputy campaign manager for U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), serving as the community liaison for rural and urban communities in the 4th Congressional District; building coalitions and networks with state legislators, and community and business leaders; coordinating volunteer deployment for the congressional reelection campaign; and facilitating communication with federal agencies to address constituent concerns. He is also a Certified Public Accountant and previously served as the government affairs liaison for the Oklahoma Municipal League.

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