17 CU Professionals Spring Forward in Their Careers

WEST

The $3.3 billion, Eugene, Ore.-based Oregon Community Credit Union announced two promotions and one new hire.

Courtney Cook was promoted to director of people. In her new role, Cook will lead human resources work for the credit union, which includes pay, benefits and hiring. In addition, she will set and oversee policies to maintain an excellent company culture at OCCU. Cook has been with OCCU for more than 25 years, beginning in 1998 as a retail operations manager before moving into the HR department in 2022.

Justin Lu was hired as vice president of asset-liability management. In his new role, Lu will oversee OCCU’s liquidity, interest-rate risk and investment portfolio. He will also be the lead balance sheet strategist, ensuring the soundness of the credit union. Lu brings more than 30 years of experience in the industry and at West Coast financial institutions, having most recently served as treasurer and director of investments, liquidity and capital markets at Patelco Credit Union ($9.7 billion, Dublin, Calif.). He holds a JD/MBA dual degree from Columbia University in New York, N.Y.

Tim Strinz was promoted to director of indirect lending. In his new role, Strinz will lead a team charged with administering OCCU’s robust portfolio of indirect loans and oversee the remote lending, titles and external ancillary teams. He will also develop strategies for sustainable auto and vehicle lending and practices for OCCU. Strinz has been with OCCU for 15 years, beginning as a teller before becoming an assistant branch manager; he joined the indirect lending team in 2017.

Faye Nabhani, president/CEO for the $4.6 billion, Folsom, Calif.-based SAFE Credit Union, was named to the Sacramento Business Journal’s “Power 100” list, which identifies the most influential leaders throughout Sacramento’s business community. Nabhani, who joined SAFE as EVP/chief credit officer in 2016, oversaw the credit union’s lending programs including mortgage, auto, credit and commercial before being named the new president in November 2022. She became president/CEO in January 2023. Nabhani serves on the Greater Sacramento Economic Council Board’s executive committee. Prior to joining SAFE, she worked for KeyPoint Credit Union ($1.6 billion, San Jose, Calif.) for 22 years.

EAST

Municipal Credit Union ($4.2 billion, New York, N.Y.) hired Kelly Gerber, J.D. as chief risk officer. In her new role, Gerber is responsible for enterprise risk management, vendor management, financial crimes and intelligence, BSA/AML, information security, quality control and quality assurance, portfolio risk analysis, business continuity planning and incident response.She most recently served as SVP, acting chief risk officer for Republic Bank in Philadelphia. Prior to joining Republic, Gerber served as vice president of compliance at Huntingdon Valley Bank. She previously held various positions of increasing responsibility within risk management at Beneficial Bank. She is a graduate of the Rutgers University School of Law in New Jersey.

The $410 million, Kensington, Md.-based Signal Financial Federal Credit Union promoted Nico Stein to vice president, information technology. In his new role, Stein is responsible for all internal systems that Signal Financial provides, as well as its cybersecurity policies and programs. Stein has been at Signal Financial for more than 10 years, most recently serving as assistant vice president, information technology. He has more than 25 years of experience in the professional IT field, having begun his career in 1999 at IBM. Prior to joining Signal, he worked as a network engineer at Catholic University in Washington, D.C.

SOUTH

The $4.4 billion, Orlando, Fla.-based FAIRWINDS Credit Union announced three promotions.

Kim Wightman was promoted to EVP, finance. In her new role, she is responsible for the overall management of FAIRWINDS’ assets and liabilities, accounting and financial operations, and investment portfolio. She previously served as SVP, finance and controller, one of several positions she has held during her 20-year career with FAIRWINDS. She has more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Bryan Meizinger was promoted to EVP, chief credit officer. In his new role, he oversees all major functions of FAIRWINDS’ loan portfolio, including retail, small business, commercial and collections. He has more than 25 years of experience in finance and lending and has been with FAIRWINDS since 2000, most recently serving as SVP, lending. Meizinger serves on the Board of Directors for the Downtown Orlando Partnership, which supports the Downtown Orlando business community, as treasurer.

Lindsey LeWinter was promoted to EVP, human resources. In her new role, she oversees all HR, talent acquisition, total rewards and well-being programs, and talent development for FAIRWINDS. In her 18-year career with FAIRWINDS, LeWinter has served in several roles within the HR area, including as vice president. She serves on the Board of Directors for CareerSource Central Florida and its Community Engagement Committee.

The $4.3 billion, Warner Robins, Ga.-based Robins Financial Credit Union promoted Melinda Haddock to Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) manager. In her new role, Haddock will be responsible for ensuring that the credit union complies with all applicable BSA and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) laws and regulations. She will work closely with internal teams to develop and implement policies, procedures and training programs to mitigate the risk of money laundering and other financial crimes. Haddock has been with Robins Financial for nearly 25 years, previously serving as the compliance specialist in its legal/compliance department. She is a Certified Bank Secrecy Officer.

Redstone Family Realty, a subsidiary of the $7.5 billion, Huntsville, Ala.-based Redstone Federal Credit Union, hired Beau Miles as president. Miles previously served as managing broker of Essential Real Estate in Madison, Ala. In his new role, he will oversee the three Redstone Family Realty Alabama offices in Huntsville, Decatur and Guntersville, Ala., where 60 agents currently serve.

LEAGUES

The Minnesota Credit Union Network hired Ryan Smith as chief advocacy officer. In his new role, he will lead MnCUN’s regulatory and advocacy programs. Smith has been with MnCUN since 2012, most recently serving as director of government affairs. Prior to joining MnCUN, Smith was government affairs director for the Pacific West Association of Realtors.

VENDORS

First Community Trust, N.A. (FCT), a Dubuque, Iowa-based nationally-chartered trust company offering trust, investment and retirement services primarily through credit unions, announced five new hires.

Aaron Schwenker was hired as SVP, senior compliance officer. In his new role, Schwenker leads compliance at FCT by developing strategy and ensuring the company complies with all legal and regulatory requirements. This includes leading audits, ensuring effective controls are in place, overseeing department staff and preparing financial reports.

Jill Kronfeldt was hired as SVP of trust operations. In her new role, Kronfeldt leads FCT’s operations department and activities, including the development of company policies and procedures while maintaining compliance with applicable laws and regulations, overseeing department staff and preparing financial reports.

Blake Randel was hired as a trust officer. In his new role, Randel serves clients at FCT’s home Hillcrest office in Dubuque.

Kristin Evans was hired as a trust officer. In her new role, Evans serves credit union members at Serve Credit Union ($98 million), Affinity Credit Union ($142 million) and Financial Plus Credit Union ($202 million), all in Des Moines.

Melissa Uzzell, J.D. was hired as vice president, trust officer. In her new role, Uzzell serves credit union members at Ascentra Credit Union ($534 million, Bettendorf, Iowa) and The Family Credit Union ($242 million, Davenport, Iowa).

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