15 CU Professionals Embark on New Career Journeys

WEST

The $3.7 billion, Albuquerque, N.M.-based Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union hired Muriel Lotto as chief growth officer. In her new role, she leads the design, development and implementation of an organization-wide, data-driven growth strategy to help realize SLFCU’s vision of becoming an economic engine for communities in the Southwest U.S. She also oversees SLFCU’s marketing, product management and development, brand, community engagement, business development and communications teams. Lotto previously served as chief marketing officer for Sightline Payments, a U.S. payments provider to the online gaming marketplace. Prior to that, she was global head of brand and marketing at Western Union and has also held senior marketing roles at two of Europe’s biggest insurance companies, as well as at Unilever and Nestlé. Lotto sits on the sponsorship committee for the Private Directors Association, and was named one of the world’s boldest chief marketing officers by Bold Business in 2019.

EAST

The $2.6 billion, Rome, N.Y.-based AmeriCU announced two promotions and one new hire.

Jason Lewin was promoted to chief information officer. Lewin has over 18 years of experience in information technology. Joining AmeriCU in 2015 as a systems admin II, he has since held various roles including manager of member technology infrastructure, assistant vice president of member technology operations and vice president of member technology services. In his new position, Lewin will play a pivotal role in advancing the credit union’s technological infrastructure, ensuring security and driving digital transformation strategies. He holds an MBA from Utica University in Utica, N.Y.

Stephanie McGuire was promoted to chief lending officer. McGuire has 37 years of experience in diverse aspects of lending as well as 20 years of regional branch administration experience. She most recently served as AmeriCU’s SVP of lending. In her new role, she will foster growth and diversification in lending and financial services to benefit members and the communities the credit union serves. McGuire has served as a board member for the United Way of Jefferson County and the Greater Watertown Chamber of Commerce, and as president and board member for the Watertown Local Development Corporation.

Steve Ramirez was hired as chief marketing officer. Ramirez brings 20 years of experience as a digital marketing executive and has a total of 30 years of experience in the financial industry. He previously served in roles at Fortune 500 companies such as USAA, Discover, KeyBank and First Citizens Bank, where he gained expertise in executive leadership, online marketing, content marketing, website management, member experience, personalization, conversion optimization and SEO. In his new role, he will help the credit union grow its digital presence, reach and impact while enhancing its brand. Ramirez holds an MBA in marketing and management from the University of Texas at San Antonio and also spent eight years in the Texas Army National Guard.

The $2.8 billion, Virginia Beach, Va.-based Chartway Credit Union promoted Melissa Cade to chief retail officer. Cade has been with Chartway for 24 years, and in her new role, she will oversee the strategy and leadership of branch and member care teams and continue to spearhead Chartway’s multicultural initiatives. Her previous roles at Chartway have included call center manager, director of call center, director of retail, vice president of alternative channels, regional president of branches, SVP of member solutions services, and SVP of product and innovation. She holds a master’s degree in information systems from the University of Phoenix and a professional certificate in product management from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. In addition, Cade participates in Filene’s i3 innovation leadership program and is the executive sponsor of Chartway’s African American Resource group.

The $2.6 million, Littleton, Mass.-based Workers Credit Union announced two new hires.

Fernando Rico was hired as director of retail branches. In his new role, he oversees 16 branches and helps members maximize their relationship with the credit union to achieve their financial goals and dreams. Rico brings more than 30 years of industry experience, having most recently served at the Cambridge Trust Company in Bedford, N.H., as a vice president. He began his banking career at JPMorgan Chase (when it was known as Chase Manhattan Bank) where he spent nearly 18 years, eventually becoming a vice president and district manager. He later held leadership roles at Santander Bank. Rico earned an MBA from Mercy University in Mercy, N.Y.

Mackenson Massé was hired as assistant vice president and area manager of the credit union’s locations in Lowell, Westford, Hudson, Shrewsbury and Worcester, Mass. He brings over 15 years of leadership and financial experience, having previously served a banking center director and assistant vice president at Webster Bank in Boston, and as a branch manager at Santander Bank in Belmont, Mass.

MIDWEST

The Desk Drawer Fund, the philanthropic foundation of MSU Federal Credit Union ($7.6 billion, East Lansing, Mich.) and its affiliate Oakland University Credit Union, named Rebecca Surian executive director. Surian is vice president of university relations for MSUFCU, a position she has held since she joined the credit union in 2022. She will continue to hold that position in addition to her new role, in which she primarily will be responsible for planning and implementing a comprehensive fundraising program and philanthropic giving plan, working with the Board of Directors to implement strategic gift-giving and other activities. Before joining MSUFCU, Surian retired from Michigan State University after a 32-year career in higher education philanthropy, during which time she earned the Jack Breslin Distinguished Staff Award. She holds a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy and has completed leadership development training through Gallup.

The $2.7 billion, Muskego, Wis.-based Corporate Central Credit Union announced two new hires.

Courtney Baumann was hired as a member services representative. In her new role, Baumann will serve as an expert resource that operates with the highest levels of empathy and compassion in a sincere manner. She will be a primary contact that establishes, maintains and develops member relationships, while identifying member needs and facilitating relevant information to respective departments. Baumann brings three years of credit union experience in various capacities, having previously served as a member services representative, new accounts specialist, accounting assistant and accounts payable specialist.

Alexis Dohm was hired as a member services representative. In her new role, Dohm will play a crucial part in ensuring superior member service, addressing inquiries related to products and services, and fostering proactive relationship development between members and staff. Dohm began working in customer service at the age of 14 and most recently served as a client services representative at an emergency veterinary hospital.

SOUTH

The $1.2 billion, Tuscaloosa, Ala.-based Alabama ONE Credit Union announced three promotions.

Shelby Grantham was promoted to COO. Grantham joined Alabama ONE in 2015 and most recently served as senior director of operations. Before joining Alabama ONE, she gained experience working at larger financial institutions and within the manufacturing industry.

Tracy Beam was promoted to senior director of human resources. Beam has 28 years of experience and most recently served as director of HR for Alabama ONE.

Jennifer Naves was promoted to senior director of member experience. Naves joined Alabama ONE in 2019 as sales and service manager, and in 2022, she was chosen to lead its Member Experience initiative. She has worked in the financial services industry since 2006.

The $4.6 billion, Lake Jackson, Texas-based TDECU announced two board appointments.

Lavonne Burke was appointed as a board member. Burke currently serves as a vice president at Dell Technologies, where she leads a global legal team focused on multiple levels of security, including IT, privacy/data protection, and fraud and security investigations. She is also an attorney, speaker and author.

Adam Chibib was appointed as a board member. Chibib is the CFO for Self Financial, Inc., which serves individuals with no credit or bad credit by helping them establish and report their credit profile. He has served as a financial and operational executive in the Austin, Texas area for more than 25 years.

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