Blue FCU, Hanscom FCU, Metro CU Hire & Promote Talent

WEST

The $1.8 billion, Cheyenne, Wyo.-based Blue Federal Credit Union hired Laura Fowler as executive director of the Blue Foundation. Fowler brings over 38 years of experience in music and education in Wyoming’s Laramie County School District. After retiring from teaching and co-creating the PEEPS program (Parent Engagement and Educational Partnership with Schools), she shifted her focus to helping individuals and families in the Cheyenne community. In her new role, she will lead a new Blue Foundation initiative – the Boost Center, a family resource center set to open in mid-2024 – aiming to transform the Center into a sanctuary for community members, offering safety, healing and supportive assistance. Fowler holds a master’s degree in education.

The $75 million Polam Federal Credit Union in Los Angeles hired Luis Villegas into the newly-created role of EVP. Villegas brings 30 years of credit union experience to Polam, with a focus on operations, lending and leadership.

EAST

The $1.8 billion, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.-based Hanscom Federal Credit Union hired Michele Hart into the newly-created position of chief member experience officer. In her new role, Hart will be responsible for driving an exceptional and consistent member experience across all channels, as well as for Hanscom’s branches and Member Engagement Center. She brings more than 30 years of experience in business development, lending and retail management. She previously served as a loan officer at Citizens Mortgage Corporation, followed by vice president/branch manager and eventually vice president of business banking at Eastern Bank. Hart has served on the board of Eastern Bank’s Women’s Networking Group, as well as on the Catholic Charities Advisory Board and as a member of the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Committee.

The $3.3 billion Metro Credit Union in Chelsea, Mass., announced five promotions.

Robert Eydenberg was promoted to vice president, retail administration. Eydenberg joined Metro in 2006 and previously served as assistant vice president, contact center manager and vice president, contact center. In his new role, he oversees all of Metro’s 19 retail branches and the Member Service Center, and is responsible for the development and retention of member relationships to achieve objectives related to business growth, new account sales, member service and retention. Prior to joining Metro, Eydenberg held various management positions at Eastern Bank.

Kevin Malone was promoted to SVP, senior commercial lender. Malone joined Metro in 2019 and is responsible for providing the credit union’s commercial members with innovative financial solutions that build long-term relationships and improve the communities Metro serves. He has over 35 years of financial services experience including in asset-based lending, acquisition finance, commercial and industrial finance, as well as in credit underwriting, risk review and asset recovery. Prior to joining Metro, Malone served as EVP at Blue Hills Bank, market president at TD Bank, as well as in a number of other senior positions in financial services.

Melissa Breen was promoted to vice president, risk and compliance. In her new role, Breen oversees risk management activities and areas of regulatory compliance. Since joining Metro in 2007, she has held many different positions across the credit union in Metro’s branches and back-office departments, most recently assistant vice president, risk manager. Breen is certified as a Credit Union Compliance Expert.

Emily (Lospennato) Featherstone was promoted to assistant vice president, internal communications. Featherstone joined Metro in 2020 as public relations specialist and most recently served as communications director. In her new role, she will serve on the HR leadership team, continuing to expand upon Metro’s internal communications strategy. Before joining Metro, Featherstone held positions at Boston law school New England Law and public relations agency V2 Communications.

Jacquelyn Keeley was promoted to vice president, controller. In her new role, she oversees the financial close process, and monthly and quarterly internal and regulatory reporting duties. Keeley, a Certified Public Accountant, joined Metro in 2021 as assistant vice president, assistant controller, accounting. She previously served as audit supervisor and assurance manager at national accounting and advisory firm Marcum LLP.

Daniel Goosk, director of lending for the $356 million, Oceanside, N.Y.-based Ocean Financial Federal Credit Union, was recognized as a Long Island Business News 2023 40 Under Forty honoree during a ceremony on Dec. 5. Goosk has held the position of director of lending for approximately four years and previously served as director of operations for Ocean Financial. He holds a master’s degree in business administration and management from Molloy University in Rockville Centre, N.Y., and previously served as a member service representative at Nassau Financial Federal Credit Union ($335 million, East Meadow, N.Y.) and operations manager at The Heart Center Federal Credit Union ($21 million, Roslyn, N.Y.).

TRADES

CUES announced the appointment of four board officers.

Richard R. Romero, president/CEO of the $1 billion Seattle Credit Union, accepted a three-year appointment as board chair. He previously served as vice chair.

Romero succeeds immediate past chair and current CUES board member Kelly Marshall, CEO of Summerland Credit Union in Summerland, British Columbia, Canada. Marshall joined the CUES board in 2016 and was appointed board chair in 2020.

Mark L. Robnett, president/CEO of the $93 million, Chantilly, Va.-based Justice Federal Credit Union, was appointed vice chair.

Gerry Agnes, president/CEO of the $3.4 billion, Boulder, Colo.-based Elevations Credit Union, was appointed treasurer.

Jennifer Binkley-Heiting, CEO of the $2.5 billion, Riverside, Calif.-based Altura Credit Union, was appointed secretary.

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