Credit Unions in Eight States Appoint New CEOs

Lydia Mercedes Vazquez has been named the first Hispanic female president/CEO of the $693 million Align Credit Union in Lowell, Mass., the board of directors said.

She succeeded former president/CEO Kenneth M. Del Rossi, who retired on Dec. 31 after nearly 30 years of service.

Vazquez joined Align in 2019 as vice president of lending/compliance and was promoted to EVP and COO.

“It was apparent from the start that Lydia would be an intricate part of the organization’s legacy and success. With her professionalism, dedication and unwavering commitment to the organization, there is no doubt that Align Credit Union will continue to be successful in the future.” Del Rossi said in a prepared statement.

Vazquez previously served as an assistant vice president for lending operations and originations at the $916 million Leominster Credit Union in Massachusetts, a senior underwriter for Avidia Bank and a residential loan officer for TD Bank.

Align’s 124 employees run 12 locations and serve more than 28,000 members.

The board of directors for the $670 million Del-One Federal Credit Union in Dover, Del., named Dan McCarthy president/CEO.

He succeeded Ronald E. Baron.

McCarthy, who was serving as interim president/CEO, previously served as chief human resources officer and chief administrative officer since joining the credit union in 2019. Prior to Del-One, he served in other executive roles at the Buccini/Pollin Group and other financial and real estate firms.

“Dan is a dynamic and thoughtful leader who has a proven track record of execution and improving culture,” Del-One Board Chair Steve Smith said in a prepared statement. “The Del-One board of directors looks forward to working collaboratively with Dan and his leadership team to fulfill our mission of being the easiest place to work with for our members. We are excited about our future and know that our 81,000 members are in good hands with Dan and all of our amazing teammates.”

Del-One’s 182 employees operate 14 locations.

The $602 million O Bee Credit Union in Lacey, Wash., has appointed Andrew Downin as its president/CEO.

He succeeded Bruce Cramer, who was serving as an interim CEO after James Collins resigned last August.

Downin joins O Bee from the $2.8 billion Vantage West Credit Union in Phoenix, where he served as the chief strategy and growth officer. Before this role, Downin led research and innovation at the Filene Research Institute.

“We are delighted to welcome Andrew Downin as our new CEO,” Cramer said. “His proven leadership, strategic acumen and dedication to fostering innovation align perfectly with our vision for the future. O Bee will thrive under his guidance.”

O Bee’s 163 employees operate seven locations and serve more than 33,000 members.

Michael Garvey has been appointed president/CEO of the $339 million Ocean State Credit Union in Coventry, R.I.

He succeeded David Root, who retired after 13 years of service.

Garvey retired from the public accounting firm of Garvey, Steele & Bancroft, LLP, in Mystic, Conn., where he served as the managing partner for seven years. The firm specialized in providing auditing and consulting services to the credit union industry.

“The board of directors wishes to thank David Root for his 13 years of exceptional leadership to the credit union,” Ocean State Board Chair Michael Airhart said in a prepared statement. “We welcome Michael Garvey as the new CEO and look forward to the future under his leadership.”

Ocean State’s 65 employees run six locations and serve more than 22,000 members.

The $213 million MC Federal Credit Union in Danville, Pa., named Elba Arenas as president/CEO.

She succeeds Jim Barbarich, who retired after 25 years of service.

Arenas was a branch operations manager for Santander Bank for years before she joined the credit union in 2018 as its chief member experience officer. In August 2022, she was named president.

“Throughout her career, Elba has demonstrated the unique ability to foster constructive dialogue between colleagues and business partners to improve performance, build trust and harness the talents of different individuals to drive success,” the MC Federal Credit Union board of directors said in a prepared statement. “Elba’s passion for our credit union is truly contagious, and we look forward to significant future MC Federal successes under her energetic leadership.”

MC’s 47 employees operate five locations that serve more than 13,000 members.

The $143 million Go Energy Credit Union in Tucker, Ga., named Mark Nofi president/CEO, the board of directors said.

He has been previously serving as interim CEO since June 2023 after Denise Swan retired.

Nofi is a veteran of the electric cooperative industry, having begun his career at Oglethorpe Power Corporation in 1990. When OPC spun off its marketing department into an independent company in 1997, Nofi was instrumental in starting up EnerVision, the new organization. In 2004, he assumed the role of marketing director at GEMC Federal Credit Union, which later changed its name to Go Energy.

“Mark is a natural fit for the position of CEO. Not only does he know our membership through his previous role with the credit union, but he also has an in-depth understanding of Georgia’s electric cooperatives,” Go Energy Chair Shaun Mock said in a prepared statement. “We are excited about the future of the credit union under Mark’s leadership. His dedication to our EMC family and passion for service will serve our membership and employees well.”

Kevin Hood has been appointed president/CEO of the $16.7 million 1st University Credit Union in Waco, Texas.

He succeeds Gary Parker, who retired at the end of 2023 after 27 years of service.

Hood, who began his career in 1999 as a teller at 1st University, most recently served as EVP.

He also worked for the Cornerstone Credit Union League as an information systems supervisor for several years, then spent 15 years with Cornerstone Resources, a service corporation for credit unions affiliated with the league.

“I have known Kevin Hood since he started at the credit union and have been delighted to see his growth in knowledge and ability over the years,” 1st University Board Chair Randy M. Wood said in a statement. “That knowledge includes the latest in technology, which will allow us to continue to be on the cutting edge when it comes to giving our members the ability to manage their accounts in efficient ways.”

1st University’s 10 employees operate one branch and serve nearly 1,500 members.

On April 1, the board of directors of the $18.6 million Family First Federal Credit Union in Great Falls, Mont., said Kyeanna Scharberg will become president/CEO.

She will succeed Kathy Briggs, who is retiring as CEO after 38 years of service.

Scharberg currently serves as the credit union’s assistant manager and loan officer.

“Kyeanna Scharberg has invested the last few years getting to know our members, learning the broad range of operations of a financial institution, and embracing the culture of our credit union,” Briggs said in a prepared statement. “She will bring new energy to our leadership while ensuring that the caring and trustworthy philosophy of our institution continues.”

Family First’s five employees operate one branch and serve more than 1,700 members.