First Harvest CU, Canopy CU, IgniteFI, Others Hire & Promote

WEST

The $238 million, Spokane, Wash.-based Canopy Credit Union hired Cindy Thompson as vice president of finance. Thompson brings an extensive history in the financial services industry, having most recently served as treasurer at Horizon Credit Union ($2.1 billion, Spokane Valley, Wash.) for two years. Before that, she spent 16 years at Numerica Credit Union ($3.8 billion, Spokane Valley) in roles including controller, CFO and chief strategy officer. Thompson currently serves on the Spokane Public Schools Foundation board.

EAST

The $462 million First Harvest Credit Union in Deptford, N.J., announced one new hire and four promotions.

Lisa Noreski was hired as SVP & chief human resources officer. Noreski most recently served as director of people strategy at national fintech lender Nav Technologies Inc. Previously, she held progressive leadership roles in HR with Discover Financial Services for over 13 years. Noreski holds an MBA with a specialization in HR management from Goldey Beacom College in Wilmington, Del. She also holds certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources from both HRCI and SHRM, as well as in Employee Engagement Management Coaching. Noreski also served as an honorary commander of the Delaware National Guard.

Camille Gadsden was promoted to SVP, controller & asset recovery. Gadsden joined First Harvest in 2006, and oversees the credit union’s accounting and asset recovery departments. She also has served as chair of the employee-led Charitable Journeys charitable giving committee.

Kimberly Montgomery was promoted to SVP, retail banking. Montgomery joined First Harvest in 2021, and oversees sales, service and member experience across the credit union’s eight retail branch locations.

Erik Young was promoted to SVP, direct banking. Young joined First Harvest in 2015, and in his new role, he is overseeing the build-out of First Harvest Direct, the credit union’s new in-house member service and solution center, as well as its new digital banking branch.

Daniel Murphy was promoted to vice president, facilities & security. Murphy joined First Harvest in 2016, and oversees the operations of the credit union’s physical locations, as well as security and loss mitigation functions.

John J. Howard, president/CEO for the $2.2 billion, Lawrence, Mass.-based Merrimack Valley Credit Union, received the U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo Memorial Award from the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce during its annual Veterans Day breakfast on Nov. 3. Prior to his career in banking, Howard served in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he was stationed in Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. The award honors U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, a Lawrence, Mass., native who was killed during the U.S. evacuation of Afghanistan in 2021. Howard became president/CEO of Merrimack Valley in 2018 following a merger with Bridgewater Credit Union, where had been president/CEO since 2015. Hewas recently named CEO of the Year during the Cooperative Credit Union Association’s annual APEX conference on Oct. 12.

Teresa Knox, COO for the $2.5 billion, East Hartford, Conn.-based American Eagle Financial Credit Union, was named an honoree of the 2023 Hartford Business Journal’s C-suite Award. Hartford Business Journal’s 2023 C-suite Awards recognize top executives who have made significant contributions to their organizations over the last year.

MIDWEST

The $2.6 billion, Muskego, Wis.-based Corporate Central Credit Union hired Mary Slottke as business development executive. In her new role, Slottke will proactively evaluate the financial climate of credit unions, identify their needs and position Corporate Central solutions to meet those needs. She will also market the organization’s financial products and services, advise and schedule training, educational and informational opportunities for credit unions, and assist leadership in the development of sales objectives, marketing strategies and business plans. Slottke previously spent 30 years at Fiserv, Inc. in various management, service and sales roles. Most recently, she worked for Innovation Refunds as a credit union strategic partner executive.

SOUTH

Greater Texas Financial Solutions, the investment arm of the $942 million, Austin-based Greater Texas Credit Union, hired Daniel Butcher as a wealth advisor. In his new role, Butcher will work with individuals, families and businesses to develop personalized financial plans for every stage of life, analyzing financial situations and providing strategic guidance to help clients save and accumulate wealth. He will also advise on developing effective wealth distribution strategies in an effort to reduce taxes and keep investment accounts growing, as well as arrange seminars and workshops related to financial planning, investing and retirement for individuals, groups and businesses. Butcher previously served as a financial advisor at Edward Jones. While he will be based out of the Greater Texas Lamar branch in Austin, he will serve all of central Texas. Greater Texas Financial Solutions provides securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial Services.

VENDORS

The Waunakee, Wis.-based credit union and fintech consulting firm IgniteFI hired Marnie Keller as chief development officer. Keller brings decades of experience and expertise in strategy, marketing and business development, having previously served in leadership roles at a number of fintechs. She got her start at the Independent Community Bankers of America.

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