Small Virginia CU Hires Executive Director of New Charitable Arm

WEST

The $4.3 billion, Albuquerque, N.M.-based Nusenda Credit Union announced two promotions.

Chris Clepper was promoted to chief credit officer. In his new role, Clepper will oversee business services, treasury management and mortgage services. He joined Nusenda in 2014 as a business services officer and has also served as vice president of business services development manager and SVP of business services. Clepper is in his third year of serving as a chairperson of the Goodwill Industries of NM Board, after which he will move to the treasurer role. He also currently serves on the board for Enchantment Land Certified Development Company and the Borderplex Alliance. He has previously served on the boards of the NAIOP, Commercial Real Estate Development Association NM Chapter and New Mexico Chamber of Commerce.

Sara Keller was promoted to SVP of community engagement. In her new role, Keller will oversee community relations and business development. She joined Nusenda in 2019 as vice president of community engagement. Since 2021, she has served as the executive director of the Nusenda Foundation and will continue to serve in this capacity. Keller currently serves as the board president for NMCAN, is co-chair for the New Mexico Asset Funders Network, and sits on the National Assets Funder Board of Directors. She also serves on the Board for Ground Works New Mexico and is part of the New Mexico Funders Collaborative.

Amy Nelson, CEO for the $109 million, Portland, Ore.-based Point West Credit Union, was named a recipient of the 2024 Annie Vamper Helping Hands Award by Inclusiv. This award, named for financial inclusion champion Annie Vamper, recognizes individuals making extraordinary contributions to the Community Development Credit Union movement. Nelson shares this recognition with Melissa Marquez, CEO of Genesee Co-op Federal Credit Union ($39.8 million, Rochester, N.Y.) and Kathya Pierre, CEO of 1199 SEIU Federal Credit Union ($89 million, New York, N.Y.).

EAST

Peoples Advantage Federal Credit Union ($98.4 million, Petersburg, Va.) hired Shanika McClelland as the first executive director of its recently-launched 501(c)3 philanthropic Extension, Peoples Advantage Helping Hands (PAHH). McClelland most recently served as program officer of wealth and community development for Local Initiatives Support Corporation  Virginia for two years. In her new role, she will oversee strategic development, grant writing, fundraising and financial education for PAHH. McClelland’s previous accomplishments include the development and management of an award-winning transportation program, opening a high-functioning Financial Opportunity Center that served Richmond, Va.’s north side and leading the Richmond region in community development programs.

MIDWEST

The $2.7 billion, Muskego, Wis.-based Corporate Central Credit Union announced that Val Mindak was appointed board chair, effective Jan. 17. Mindak has been president/CEO of the $347 million Park City Credit Union in Merrill, Wis., for over 14 years. She has served on the Corporate Central Board for more than six years, and in her new role, she will lead the Board and guide the strategic direction of Corporate Central.

In addition, Corporate Central announced Mindak will serve as chair of the board’s Executive Committee, along with the following members:

Sue Johnson, president/CEO for Fort Community Credit Union ($361 million, Fort Atkinson, Wis.), will serve as vice chair.

Steve Koenen, president/CEO for Altra Federal Credit Union ($2.8 billion, Onalaska, Wis.), will serve as secretary.

Chris Allen, president/CEO for Fox Communities Credit Union ($2.8 billion, Appleton, Wis.), will serve as treasurer.

SOUTH

The $5.1 billion Truliant Federal Credit Union in Winston-Salem, N.C., promoted Emily Averill to the newly-created role of vice president of enterprise operational alignment. She was previously senior director of member service operations. In her new role, Averill is responsible for overseeing operational plans and processes, and ensuring they create an optimal experience for Truliant members. She will create processes, policies and procedures across departments, and establish methods to measure operational performance. Averill joined the credit union in 2003 as a deposit representative, later serving as manager at Truliant’s Clemmons and Hanes Mall locations. Prior to her most recent role, she oversaw operational functions of Truliant’s branch network. Additionally, Averill founded Truliant’s Member Dispute Resolution Team, created to centralize the dispute process, and the Associated Products and Services Department, which manages the performance of items such as payment protection and Truliant Insurance Services.

The $5.9 billion, Oklahoma City, Okla.-based Tinker Federal Credit Union announced two new hires.

Neil Lloyd was hired as assistant vice president of information technology, applications development. In his new role, Lloyd will play a pivotal role in advancing TFCU’s mobile application development, working to streamline data across the organization. He will work with TFCU teams to enhance the credit union’s online banking and mobile applications, develop new accounts and services, and improve the technology for existing ones. Lloyd brings 20 years of experience across various industries, including banking and financial technology, oil and gas, technology, retail, manufacturing, sales, consulting, insurance and government. He holds an MBA from Oklahoma Christian University.

Neil Schemmer was hired as EVP and chief lending officer. In his new role, Schemmer will oversee all lending functions, including indirect, consumer, mortgage and commercial lending. He brings 37 years of experience in the financial services industry, having previously held key positions such as controller, CFO, chief lending officer and president/CEO. He is also a Certified Public Account and served in roles in public accounting and the oil and gas industry.

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