10 Credit Unions Across the U.S. Announce Hires, Promotions & Honors

WEST

The $906 million, Altadena, Calif.-based First City Credit Union hired Seun Aiyese as COO. In his new role, Aiyese oversees member-facing touchpoints including branches, the contact center and operational support teams. He brings over 20 years of experience in banking, wealth management, mortgage lending and member experience, having spent 15 years with Wells Fargo in various leadership roles including regional bank president. Aiyese began his credit union journey with GEICO Credit Union ($144 million, Chevy Chase, Md.) in 2018 and most recently served as the head of growth and CX at Affinity Credit Union ($4.s billion, Basking Ridge, N.J.).  He holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Bethel University in Arden Hills, Minn., and completed his executive education from the Cornell School of Business, Wharton School of Business and Oxford University.

The $1 billion, Modesto, Calif.-based Valley First Credit Union announced two new hires.

Roderick Arevalo was hired as vice president, controller. Arevalo brings over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, having most recently served as CFO of Shaman Modifications, LLC. He also served as controller for the $3.2 billion, San Diego-based California Coast Credit Union. In his new role, Arevalo will lead Valley First’s accounting department, overseeing financial reporting, budgeting and strategic financial planning to ensure continued growth and success.

Betina (Tina) Marcelo was hired as chief lending officer. Marcelo brings nearly 13 years of credit union experience, having previously served at the $1.4 billion Pacific Service Credit Union in Concord, Calif. She began her lending career in 2002, and holds an MBA from the John Sperling School of Business at the University of Phoenix.

EAST

The $916 million, Leominster, Mass.-based Leominster Credit Union announced five promotions.

Randy Harris was promoted to vice president, treasury. Harris joined LCU in 2004 as a financial analyst. In 2012, he was promoted to finance officer, and in 2013, to assistant vice president, treasury.

Kathy Hurley was promoted to vice president, human resources. Hurley joined LCU in 2004 as a teller and also worked in lending as an indirect specialist. She transitioned into HR 15 years ago and has progressed throughout the department, being promoted to assistant vice president, HR business partner in 2019. She holds an MBA from Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, Mass., and is a certified professional in HR through the Society for Human Resources Management and the Human Resources Certification Institute.

Tim MacLeod was promoted to vice president, facilities and security. MacLeod joined LCU in 2017 as assistant vice president, facilities, bringing over 10 years of facilities and property management experience. In 2023, he took on the responsibility of becoming LCU’s security officer.

Suzanne St. Cyr was promoted to vice president, consumer lending. St. Cyr joined LCU in 1990 as a teller, and after working in retail for several years, she transitioned to consumer lending in 1995 and has progressed throughout that department. She was promoted to assistant vice president, consumer lending in 2002. In her new role, she will take on the responsibility of overseeing the indirect lending and loan servicing departments, in addition to consumer lending.

Ben Shipp was promoted to assistant vice president, branch manager. Shipp was hired in 2020 as branch manager for the North Leominster Branch, bringing several years of banking experience, including as a multi-site branch manager. He recently received certificates for Lean Six Sigma and Agile Leadership.

The $538 million, Portland, Maine-based Evergreen Credit Union announced one promotion and one new hire.

Chelsey Cargen was promoted to assistant vice president, branch manager for Evergreen’s upcoming Scarborough, Maine location, which is set to open in Spring 2024.

Raquel Lavigne was hired as assistant branch manager for the upcoming Scarborough location.

MIDWEST

The $2 billion, Columbus, Ind.-based Centra Credit Union hired Jessica Cecil as vice president, commercial relationship manager for the southern commercial business team. She brings 18 years of experience in the financial sector, predominantly within the Louisville, Ky., market, as well as expertise in commercial lending, treasury management, mortgage lending, and community and business development. She has also served as co-chair for the Fund for the Arts campaign.

SOUTH

The $949 million, Austin-based Greater Texas Credit Union hired Jason Endsley as vice president, payments strategy and operations. Endsley brings 20 years of experience managing card payment programs, as well as extensive experience in the consumer banking industry, commercial card operations, and government card payment services. For the past eight years, Endsley oversaw card operations and strategy at the $4 billion University Federal Credit Union in Austin. He is a youth sports coach for the YMCA, where he helps young athletes develop skills and foster a passion for doing their best and achieving success.

The $5.9 billion, Oklahoma City, Okla.-based Tinker Federal Credit Union announced one new hire and one promotion.

Brent Coffman was hired as assistant vice president/manager, business development. In his new role, Coffman oversees TFCU’s business development plan, directs the daily operations of the business development team, and is responsible for establishing business strategies in business development, including TFCU events and sponsorships. He previously served as a member service manager and senior account manager for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Sarah Roberts was promoted to assistant vice president/manager, community engagement. In her new role, Roberts manages all aspects of TFCU’s community engagement, sponsorships, donations, member events and segmentation programs. She has served as a business development officer at TFCU for the past five years and has eight years of experience in marketing and public relations. Roberts is active on several boards, including Norman Next, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Norman (where she serves as both a Big Sister and board chair), Women’s Resource Center, Norman Community Advisory and Moore Norman Technology Center Foundation. She is also a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor.

Anthony Taylor, longtime board member for the $4.2 billion, Tullahoma, Tenn.-based Ascend Federal Credit Union, was inducted into the African American Credit Union Hall of Fame at a ceremony during the Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C. on March 5. The African American Credit Union Hall of Fame, established by the African American Credit Union Coalition, acknowledges individuals for their contributions to advancing the credit union movement, particularly in providing financial services and facilitating access to financial capital for African Americans and people of color. In 2003, Taylor became the first African American appointed to Ascend’s Board Development Committee. Over his more than 20-year tenure on Ascend’s board, Taylor has held various leadership roles, including chairman from 2017-2020, vice chairman from 2014-2017 and treasurer from 2013-2014. He also served as a member of the board’s Supervisory Committee from 2004-2012 and from 2020 to the present. In 2021, he was named Volunteer of the Year by NAFCU.

The $1 billion Neighborhood Credit Union in Dallas hired Kristi Brooks as SVP of marketing and community impact. In her new role, Brooks will be responsible for business development, community relations, vendor contracts, and credit and debit cards, as well as marketing, including PR, branding, social media, and internal and external communications. Prior to joining Neighborhood, Brooks served as national account and implementation manager at Auto Financial Group. She also spent 13 years as vice president of marketing for TTCU Federal Credit Union ($2.5 billion, Tulsa, Okla.). She brings extensive experience in brand management, organizational leadership, strategic planning, vendor relationships, advertising strategy and campaign design.

The $3 billion, Pensacola, Fla.-based PenAir Credit Union hired Andrew Reynolds as chief strategy officer. Reynolds brings over 23 years of experience in the credit union industry, having most recently served as chief growth officer for Blue Eagle Credit Union ($217 million, Roanoke, Va.). He also served as CFO for the $659 million, Martinsville, Va.-based ValleyStar Credit Union. He holds a master of science in business administration from Virginia Tech and graduated from the ABA/Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania in 2021. Reynolds has also served on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Credit Union League.

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