14 CU Professionals Receive New Roles & Recognitions

WEST

The $117 million, Westminster, Colo.-based Horizon North Credit Union announced its president/CEO, Bradley H. Harvey, will retire on June 3, 2024 after 28 years of service. Harvey began his career with Horizons North, formally School District 12 Federal Credit Union, in 1996 when he was named CEO. He is a former Board of Trustees chairman for Western CUNA Management School, past chairman of the Adams 12 Five Star Schools Foundation, the former chairman of the Rocky Mountain CUES Council, former Board and Supervisory Committee member for Suncorp Corporate Credit Union, former chairman of the BGA Committee for the Metro North Chamber of Commerce, former board member of the Westminster Legacy Foundation, current Westminster Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee member, and current Board member and former chairman of the Community Reach Center.

The $2.3 billion, Vancouver, Wash.-based Columbia Credit Union announced two new hires.

David Gamez was hired as vice president of fraud prevention. In his new role, Gamez will head up the credit union’s identity theft and loss prevention efforts for both members and the organization. He brings nearly two decades of financial fraud protection experience, including a background in debit and credit card fraud, consumer loan fraud, mortgage fraud, elder fraud, and identity theft investigation and prevention.

Mike McGowan was hired as vice president of information technology infrastructure. In his new role, McGowan will be involved in a number of large-scale initiatives, aligning technology solutions with overarching business objectives. He brings a background that spans diverse sectors, having managed major infrastructure projects and driven innovation in IT operations in the financial, medical, broadcasting and tech industries.

EAST

The $3.3 billion, Pawtucket, R.I.-based Coastal1 Credit Union announced two promotions.

Kevin J. Farrell was promoted to EVP/chief lending officer. In his new role, he will be responsible for the overall management of Coastal1’s lending activities including the commercial, real estate, indirect, retail lending and mortgage origination departments. Farrell previously served as SVP of commercial lending. He has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, is the treasurer of the RI Mortgage Bankers Association, and serves on the Audit Committee for St. Jude’s Parish as well as the Miriam Hospital Annual Gala Committee.

Patricia L. Webb was promoted to SVP/chief services officer. In her new role, she will be responsible for the overall management of Coastal1’s servicing departments including deposit operations, loan and mortgage servicing, collections, compliance and security. She previously served as SVP/residential and retail lending, one of several positions she has held during her 32-year career at Coastal1.

The $241 million, Lewiston, Maine-based Maine Family Credit Union hired Rachel McKinley as assistant vice president of marketing. McKinley brings experience as a marketing professional in the banking and education sectors, and holds a master’s in marketing from Lasell University in Newton, Mass. She is the board secretary and a member of the development committee for United Way of Androscoggin County, and previously served a six-year board term for the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

The $302 million, York, Pa.-based First Capital Federal Credit Union hired Tina Inscore as East York Branch Manager. Inscore brings more than 25 years of banking experience, having held various sales and management roles. She previously served as a senior personal banker at York Traditions Bank and as a financial services representative at Susquehanna Bank. In her new role, Inscore will oversee the operations of the East York Branch and provide the best possible in-branch member experience. She graduated from DOVE Hopewell Leadership & Ministry Training School.

MIDWEST

Marie Darling, business lender for the $2.3 billion, Rapid City, S.D.-based Black Hills Federal Credit Union, was named Lender of the Month for January by the South Dakota Development Corporation, a certified development company that helps facilitate the SBA 504 program. Darling has been in financial services for nearly two decades, starting as a BHFCU teller in 2006.

Tom Kraus, COO of the $2.4 billion, St. Louis, Mo.-based Together Credit Union, was named a 2024 St. Louis Titan 100 honoree. Presented by Titan 100, the Titan 100 program recognizes CEOs and C-level executives who demonstrated exceptional leadership, vision and passion. Kraus joined the credit union in 2017. He will be honored at the Titan 100 awards celebration on April 18 at The Armory in St Louis.

SOUTH

The $4.2 billion, Tullahoma, Tenn.-based Ascend Federal Credit Union hired Josh Sudbury as chief legal officer. In his new role, Sudbury is responsible for providing strategic legal and risk management advice to Ascend senior management on corporate, regulatory and compliance matters. He will also lead, direct and control the activities of the legal department, compliance, asset recovery department and security department. Sudbury most recently served as senior associate general counsel for Smile Direct Club, and before that, he was an attorney at Nashville law firms Ford Harrison, LLP and King & Ballow. He previously served as a board member of The Little Pantry That Could, a full-service food pantry in West Nashville, from 2015-2022; and as past president and member of the Rotary Club of Green Hills. Sudbury currently serves as secretary of the Tullahoma Sports Council.

The $663 million Air Force Federal Credit Union in San Antonio, Texas promoted Ricardo “Ric” Ledezma to SVP and CFO. Ledezma joined AFFCU as CFO in 2022, later taking on the leadership and strategic direction of the credit solutions, risk management and information technology functions of the credit union. He has many years of experience in the credit union industry, having served in areas such as lending, compliance and accounting. He holds an MBA from the UTSA Carlos Alvarez College of Business in San Antonio, and certification in Systems Dynamics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Ledezma serves on the CFPB’s Credit Union Advisory Council and Boerne Independent School District board.

CUSOS

Carolyn Mikesell, CEO for the $78.9 million, Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Public Service Credit Union, was appointed to the CU*Answers board of directors. Mikesell, who previously served as an associate board member, was chosen to fill and serve out the remainder of a vacated board seat with a term set to end on Sept. 30, 2024. Mikesell’s appointment as an associate board member in 2018 was among the first for the CUSO’s then new associate board member program, established by the CU*Answers Board to identify candidates and give more owners the opportunity to volunteer.

VENDORS

Filene Research Institute in Madison, Wis., announced three new hires.

Dr. Jessica Gamache was hired as head of research. In her new role, she is responsible for driving Filene’s research agenda and ensuring the six Centers of Excellence continue to advance the impact of credit unions and well-being of credit union members.

McKaye Black was hired as head of incubation. In her new role, Black will be finding, accelerating, testing and scaling new approaches that positively impact consumer financial well-being. She is responsible for leading the Lab and i3 programs, expanding the impact of Filene’s Incubation portfolio and building partnerships that support credit union partners. She brings experience as an engineer, designer, educator and business leader.

Trish DiMaggio-Zander was hired as partner engagement manager. In her new role, she actively contributes to the success of credit unions by developing and maintaining impactful member relationships and leading day-to-day membership activities. Working closely with senior credit union executives and vendors, she also plays a pivotal role in ensuring the alignment of Filene’s initiatives with credit unions’ broader strategic initiatives and overall success.

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