Recognitions Roll in for Long-Tenured Credit Union Leaders

WEST

Frank Kim, board member for the $2.5 billion, Santa Ana, Calif.-based Orange County’s Credit Union, was honored by the Orange County Business Council with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the council’s annual dinner. Kim has been a member of the Board of Orange County’s CU since 2006 and has wide-ranging experience in budgeting, strategic planning and managerial finance. In his current role as CEO of the county, he leads 23 departments and 18,000 employees, ensuring the region’s financial stability, vision and core principles.

EAST

James Schenck, president/CEO of PenFed Credit Union ($34.8 billion, McLean, Va.) and the PenFed Foundation was selected by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) as the recipient of the 2024 Bruce Whitman Memorial Trophy. Schenck was honored for his dedication to commemorating, celebrating and advocating for the impact and heritage of America’s military veterans, and his willingness to promote and support the next generation of aviators. Established in 2019 by the NAA Board of Directors, the Bruce Whitman Memorial Trophy honors outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to aviation or aerospace in the United States and who, by working with museums and other institutions, have promoted an appreciation by students and the broader public of the sacrifices and legacy of members of the military service. During his military career, James flew Black Hawk helicopters in Korea and trained other U.S. Army aviators as a night vision goggle instructor pilot. He served on the Army Staff in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans and was later selected to serve as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. He received the Legion of Merit for his contribution to the Army by overseeing creation of the $453 million Army University Access Online educational initiative. Prior to his assignment to the Pentagon, James taught economics and finance at the United States Military Academy. Schenck was selected by HillVets as one of the nation’s 100 most influential and impactful veterans, and has been recognized with other honors including the Association of the United States Army’s John W. Dixon Award, National Military Family Association’s Military Family Champion Award, Canine Companions for Independence’s Hearts and Heroes Award, and the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Lifetime Service Award. He became PenFed’s CEO in 2014.

The $2.6 billion, Littleton, Mass.-based Workers Credit Union announced one new hire and one promotion.

Greg Coscia was hired as controller, assistant treasurer and vice president. Coscia brings more than a decade of financial industry experience, having most recently served as vice president and accounting manager at Leader Bank.

Robert “Bob” Remillard was promoted to vice president of community and government affairs. In his new role, Remillard will listen to residents, organizations and legislators of the Central Massachusetts communities Workers serves to find ways the credit union can improve their daily lives. He has nearly 30 years of experience at the credit union, having most recently served as vice president of consumer and indirect lending. When not working, Remillard serves as a USA softball umpire.

MIDWEST

The $589 million, Battle Creek, Mich.-based OMNI Community Credit Union hired Kirk Schwarz as a commercial loan officer. In his new role, Schwarz will be getting to know OMNI’s business members, strengthening relationships and helping them reach their financial goals. He brings over 29 years of consumer and commercial lending experience, having begun his career while working at a few large banks. In 2004, he started working at a small community bank in a commercial lending position. He then moved to a credit union in 2011, also working in commercial lending. Schwarz holds an MBA from Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

SOUTH

Texans Credit Union ($2.1 billion, Richardson, Texas) hired Carrie Hoagenson as director of member success and education. In her new position, Hoagenson will play a pivotal role in elevating growth in consumer loan sales. She most recently served as a vice president of consumer lending. She holds an advanced management degree from Cornell University through CUES, and is currently enrolled at the SW Graduate School of Banking.

The $5.9 billion, Oklahoma City, Okla.-based Tinker Federal Credit Union promoted Lori Schwenke to assistant vice president/manager, credit analysis. In her new role, Schwenke will lead a new credit analysis department within the commercial lending team at TFCU, overseeing the recruitment and development of a team of credit analysts.

Her primary responsibility will be to build and lead the department, ultimately enhancing TFCU’s capacity to make informed lending decisions and foster positive financial outcomes for members. Schwenke, who has served as a commercial quality specialist at TFCU for the past seven years, has 32 years of experience in financial and operational auditing and compliance, and is a Certified Public Accountant.

LEAGUES

The American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) announced three honors.

Diana Dykstra, president/CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, was recognized with the 2024 Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award. This award honors a credit union league/association president who has demonstrated visionary leadership at the state and national levels, including delivering superior results organizationally and financially, developing services and programs for credit unions, and focusing on cooperation within the credit union system. Dykstra has been a leader in the credit union movement for 42 years. For the past 14 years, she has served as the president/CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, and prior to her tenure there, she served as president/CEO of San Francisco Fire Credit Union ($1.7 billion), president/CEO of CoastHills Federal Credit Union ($1.7 billion, Santa Maria), SVP at Patelco Credit Union ($9.7 billion, Dublin) and SVP at Golden 1 Credit Union ($21.1 billion, Sacramento).

Scott Sullivan, president/CEO of the Nebraska Credit Union League, was also recognized with the 2024 Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award. Sullivan has served as the president/CEO of the Nebraska Credit Union League for over 24 years. He joined the credit union movement in 1989, when he began his tenure with the Nebraska Credit Union League. He began as a governmental affairs specialist before becoming the director of governmental affairs, the vice president of governmental and public relations, and finally president/CEO.

Pam Leavitt, SVP of regional grassroots/political programs and legislative affairs for Oregon with the GoWest Credit Union Association, was also recognized with the 2024 Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award. Leavitt began her executive association career with the Oregon Credit Union League (now GoWest Credit Union Association) in 1994.

CUSG CEO Dave Adams was one of 16 credit union champions to be inducted into the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders in honor of their significant contributions to the credit union industry on March 3. Adams, who announced he is retiring in July 2024, led the Michigan Credit Union League for 24 years and CUSG for nearly 27 years.

The Credit Union House exists to meet the needs of the members of the credit union community while they are in Washington, D.C., fostering relationships between advocates and elected officials, and creating a universal and positive awareness of credit unions. It is owned by every statewide credit union association/league and the AACUL.

VENDORS

Strategic Resource Management (SRM), a Memphis, Tenn.-based advisory firm serving banks and credit unions, appointed former NCUA Chairman Rodney E. Hood to its international advisory board. Hood brings over three decades of financial services expertise. He served two critical tenures at the NCUA, with his first leadership role beginning in 2005 when former President George W. Bush nominated him to serve as vice chairman. In 2019, he became the 11th board chairman of the NCUA and the first Black American to lead a regulatory agency in banking and finance. He continued as an NCUA board member from January 2021 through January 2024. Additionally, he has served as chairman for NeighborWorks America, a congressionally chartered nonprofit providing affordable housing access to communities nationwide, and was named a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

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