Unitus Passes the HR Chief Torch; First Tech Hires New Chief Risk Officer

WEST

The $16.8 billion, San Jose, Calif.-based First Tech Federal Credit Union hired Jeff Prelle as chief risk officer. Prelle brings over 20 years of leadership experience mitigating organizational risk, managing data governance and privacy functions, and establishing sustainable enterprise operations for several financial institutions, private equity companies and risk management firms, including Moody’s Analytics. Most recently, he served as EVP of enterprise risk at Cadence Bank. In his new role, he will oversee enterprise risk management, and lead measuring and reporting risk management for the credit union. In addition, Prelle is charged with leading key parts of First Tech’s credit risk management function, cyber and IT risk management divisions, and second line of defense operations. Specifically, he will utilize his expertise in navigating regulatory and accounting compliance to serve as the primary executive responsible for assessing and addressing risk management, supporting enterprise growth and service to members and employees.

Unitus Community Credit Union ($1.7 billion, Portland, Ore.) announced a retirement and a promotion.

Gayle Evans, SVP/chief human resources officer, will retire after 16 years of service. Evans joined Unitus Community in 2007 after serving in HR leadership roles at The Standard and Pacific Health Horizons. In 2022, the Portland Business Journal named Evans a Woman of Influence.

Jessica Brown will succeed Evans as chief HR officer. Brown has been with Unitus Community for four years and most recently served as vice president of people and culture. In her new role, in addition to fulfilling executive leadership duties, Brown will oversee the HR, organizational development, and workplace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) functions. Brown has more than 18 years of experience in HR and holds an MBA.

MIDWEST

The $609 million, Sheboygen, Wis.-based Kohler Credit Union announced two promotions.

Melissa Doebert was promoted to chief people officer. In her new role, Doebert will play a pivotal role in driving people-centric initiatives; ensuring the professional growth, development and well-being of the workforce, and leading HR strategies that align with the credit union’s goals. She joined Kohler in 2012 as HR manager. Prior to joining the credit union, Doebert held HR roles in a variety of industries. She holds an MBA from Lakeland University in Sheboygen.

Deniss Makejenko was promoted to chief retail officer. In his new role, Makejeko will play a pivotal role in enhancing the member experience and driving growth within Kohler. He joined Kohler in 2021 as SVP – branch operations. Prior to joining the credit union, Makejenko spent over 15 years at Kohler Company, where he held numerous financial leadership roles. He holds a master’s degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis.

The $7.5 billion CEFCU in Peoria, Ill., announced nine promotions.

Dianna Hunter was promoted to COO. Hunter has been an employee of CEFCU for 25 years and previously served as vice president of member operations and project management. In her new role, she will oversee operations in the Illinois member centers, the member contact center, project management resources and special projects/office support.

Mark Hoffmire, a CEFCU employee of 42 years, was promoted into the newly-created role of chief lending officer. He previously served as the COO for CEFCU. In his new role, Hoffmire will oversee all aspects of lending at the credit union, including mortgages, consumer loans, business lending and collections.

Todd Haller, CEFCU employee since 1992, was promoted to SVP of audit, compliance, information security and risk management. He previously served as the vice president of audit, compliance and risk management. In his new role, Haller will oversee information security in addition to his current areas of responsibility.

Janá Stevens, an employee of CEFCU for 29 years, was promoted to SVP of marketing and strategic communications. Stevens previously served as vice president of the marketing division. In her new role, she will oversee the credit union’s marketing strategy, corporate social responsibility, member experience, and organizational and employee development.

Ron Routh was promoted to SVP of information services. Routh has been an employee of CEFCU for 22 years. In his new role, he will oversee the information services division as well as the data governance, strategy and analytics division.

Rick Bentley was promoted to vice president of member operations. Joining CEFCU in 1996, Bentley was previously the business relationship manager. In his new role, he will work closely with the member center management team on member service strategies.

Jennifer Flexer, an employee of 26 years, was promoted to vice president of data governance, strategy and analytics. Previously, she served as the assistant vice president of data strategy and analytics. In her new role, Flexer will lead CEFCU’s initiative to build the tools, systems and datasets to enable data-driven insights throughout the organization.

Abby Wall was promoted to vice president of electronic services. She has been an employee of CEFCU for 15 years and previously served as the electronic strategy and development manager. In her new role, her responsibilities will include planning, organizing and directing CEFCU’s online and mobile banking, as well as online account opening.

Shawn Harrison, an employee of 29 years, was promoted to assistant vice president of audit and risk management. In his new role, his responsibilities will include development and implementation of a robust risk infrastructure and internal controls framework. In addition, he will lead efforts to interpret and apply new audit and risk management concepts.

SOUTH

Richard “Dick” Smith, board member and former board chair for the $4.7 billion, Lake Jackson, Texas-based TDECU, retired from the board effective Oct. 31. Smith was one of TDECU’s longest-serving board members with a tenure of more than 27 years of service. He first joined TDECU’s board in 1996 and was elected chairman in 2014. Smith was instrumental in securing and solidifying several of TDECU’s key partnerships, including an alliance with the University of Houston that included naming rights for the football stadium.

TRADES

The National Credit Union Foundation announced one promotion, one staff transfer and three new hires.

Jenni Speth was promoted to engagement director. Speth joined the Foundation in 2011 as the finance and administrative assistant. She has held many roles at the Foundation including administration and meeting coordinator, office and events manager, and within the past five years, events and donor experience senior manager.

Maggie Wolff was transferred to the role of senior manager, user experience and projects in the finance and operations department. Wolff joined the Foundation in 2018 as development education and training coordinator and soon advanced to senior manager, products. Prior to joining the Foundation, she worked at Bethpage Federal Credit Union ($12.9 billion, Bethpage, N.Y.) as corporate communications coordinator.

Jennifer Harbeck was hired as engagement senior coordinator. In her new role, Harbeck will work closely with the Foundation team to plan, execute and measure engagement initiatives. She will support efforts to connect with donors and stakeholders, and help with the Foundation’s signature fundraising gala, the Foundation Dinner Presenting the Herb Wegner Award. Harbeck previously worked as a marketing specialist and consultant at UpWork.

Alicia Crotteau was hired as a program coordinator. In her new role, she will work closely with the Foundation’s program team to plan and support mission-based training programs such as Credit Union Development EducationTM and Exploring WhyTM. Crotteau previously worked as the marketing coordinator at Members Cooperative Credit Union ($1.1 billion, Duluth, Minn.).

Danielle Harris was hired as a program senior manager. In her new role, Harris will work closely with the chief program officer to facilitate mission-based training programs such as Credit Union Development EducationTM and Exploring WhyTM, as well as identify ways the Foundation can continue to expand program offerings to meet the education needs of credit union professionals. She previously worked as an instructor at Lone Star College and as project coordinator for AgriLife at Texas A&M University.

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