9 Credit Unions & AACUL Appoint Talent

WEST

The $1 billion, Modesto, Calif.-based Valley First Credit Union hired Betina Marcelo as chief lending officer. Marcelo most recently served as vice president, lending operations for Pacific Service Credit Union ($1.4 billion, Concord, Calif.) and has more than 15 years of lending experience. She holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and has worked within the credit union movement for over 10 years. In her new role, Marcelo will oversee lending operations, including indirect and direct lending, and real estate lending.

Premier America Credit Union ($3.4 billion, Chatsworth, Calif.) hired Jason Wolkove as chief technology officer. In his new role, Wolkove will spearhead the team that drives member-centric innovation and creates integrated solutions as the credit union enters its next phase of transformation and growth. In addition, he will lead the credit union’s innovation initiatives, including artificial intelligence/machine learning, CRM, data insights, cloud and infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Wolkove brings over 20 years of technology leadership experience, having previously led enterprise-wide innovation initiatives at institutions such as CIBC and Scotiabank in Toronto, Canada.

The $8.5 billion Redwood Credit Union in Santa Rosa, Calif., hired Steve Ward as SVP of business services. In his new role, Ward leads a team dedicated to providing exceptional experiences for current and new business members across RCU’s eight-county Northern California field of membership. He brings more than 20 years of financial services experience in business banking, consumer credit, wealth management and retail banking, having most recently spent two decades at Wells Fargo Bank where he held several senior leadership positions serving communities across the western U.S. He has served on the boards of Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center and Urban Solutions, helping small businesses understand the resources available in their communities.

EAST

The $2.1 billion, Lowell, Mass.-based Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union announced one new hire and two promotions.

Karen Manuelian was hired as assistant vice president – marketing. She brings 15 years of marketing experience, having most recently served as assistant vice president – marketing at Align Credit Union ($706 million, Lowell).

Ryan Gagne was promoted to branch officer of the Chelmsford, Mass., branch. Gagne joined Jeanne D’Arc in 2000 and has held several positions during her tenure. Since 2011, she has served as assistant branch manager of the Chelmsford Branch. Gagne has also acted as interim branch manager during various periods. She holds a Developing Great Managers certificate from the Cooperative Credit Union Association and a Financial Services certificate from the Center of Financial Training.

Alexis (Lexi) Owen was promoted to branch officer at the Dracut Lakeview Branch in Dracut, Mass. Owen has been with the credit union since 2013, where she began as a high school intern at the Methuen, Mass., branch. Throughout her career at Jeanne D’Arc, Owen has held multiple positions including her most recent role as assistant branch manager of the Methuen Branch. Earlier this year, she also served as interim branch manager. Owen received her Advanced Financial Services certificate from the Center of Financial Training.

MIDWEST

The $7.4 billion, Waterloo, Iowa-based Veridian Credit Union announced two new hires.

Nick Liston was hired as a mortgage loan originator. Liston brings more than 27 years of experience in mortgage lending, having most recently served as a mortgage loan officer at the $1.2 billion, Papillion, Neb.-based Cobalt Credit Union.

Kyle Yencer was hired as a senior commercial loan officer. Yencer brings 24 years of experience in commercial lending and finance, having most recently served as SVP of commercial lending at American Bank & Trust. He holds a master’s degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

The $142 million Affinity Credit Union in Des Moines, Iowa announced two promotions.

Brian Goetzinger was promoted to vice president of lending. Goetzinger has over 30 years of experience in the lending industry, having previously held leadership roles with both regional and national mortgage lenders. He most recently served as a mortgage loan officer for Affinity.

Chantel Fox was promoted to vice president of member services. Fox most recently served as a branch manager for Affinity and has worked in the financial services industry for nearly 10 years, focusing on retail management and member relations.

SOUTH

The $2.4 billion America’s First Credit Union in Birmingham, Ala., promoted Allie Franks to vice president – consumer loan operations. Franks has been with AmFirst for 23 years and most recently served as director of lending services. In her new role, Franks will oversee daily operations related to consumer lending policies, procedures, products and delivery systems. She will also act as a key liaison between diverse internal departments at AmFirst along with external vendors, and be responsible for further streamlining existing consumer lending processes to maximize efficiency. Her previous roles within AmFirst have included branch manager, consumer lending manager and director of lending services. She is a graduate of CUNA Management School.

The $3.6 billion, Oak Ridge, Tenn.-based ORNL Federal Credit Union hired Wendy Ward into the newly-created position of general counsel and chief risk officer. In her new role, Ward will oversee all aspects of legal, BSA, business continuity, compliance, human resources and training, as well as act as the credit union’s lead liaison with its regulatory bodies, including the NCUA. Her responsibilities will also include managing legal and risk-related matters ensuring that the credit union operates within the boundaries of relevant laws and regulations, and transforming the enterprise risk management and compliance programs for future growth. She brings over 15 years of experience in the credit union industry, having most recently served as chief risk and compliance officer at VyStar Credit Union ($13.5 billion, Jacksonville, Fla.). She holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, is a NAFCU Certified Compliance Officer and received the CUNA Enterprise Risk Management Expert designation.

The $5.1 billion, Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Truliant Federal Credit Union announced one new hire and one promotion.

Michael Miller was hired as vice president, payments. In his new role, Miller will lead Truliant’s enterprise card payment strategy and payment transformation, provide strategic vision, oversee execution of the payments program and influence key decisions that impact Truliant and its members. He brings expertise in areas including program management, benefits and rewards, issuing and acquiring, payment operations, risk and fraud, marketing, and leadership and teamwork. He previously served in several executive roles related to the payments area, most recently SVP, credit cards at the Bank of Hope in Los Angeles.

Angela Parham was promoted to vice president of human resources. In her new position, Parham will be responsible for overseeing employee relations, compensation and benefits, payroll and talent acquisition, and will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of Truliant’s people strategies. Parham joined Truliant in 2019 and most recently served as director of insurance services and strategic partnerships. She holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources designation and held senior level leadership roles in human resources prior to joining Truliant.

LEAGUES

The American Association of Credit Union Leagues hired Austin DeBey into the newly-created role of director of advocacy, effective Feb. 12. Most recently, DeBey served as vice president of advocacy operations and legislative affairs at the GoWest Credit Union Association. He brings 19 years of experience providing strategic leadership, coordinating projects, and leveraging the collective strength of credit unions working for single-state and multi-state leagues. In his new role, will work closely with four strategy work groups, which support a newly-evolved committee structure at the AACUL, to ultimately help protect and advance a vibrant credit union system.

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