8 CUs Unveil Career Moves & Accolades for 10 Professionals

WEST

Lindsey Salvestrin, president/CEO for the $2.3 billion, Vancouver, Wash.-based Columbia Credit Union, was appointed to the board of directors for the business leaders group Identity Clark County in Washington State’s Clark County. Salvestrin joined Columbia CU in 2000 and became president/CEO in 2023 after holding various key leadership positions. She is a Cardwell Leadership Graduate and a Certified Innovation Executive from MIT Sloan School of Management and Stanford University Graduate School of Business, respectively. Salvestrin is an executive board member for the Columbia River Economic Development Council and an advisory board member for Credit Union for Kids supporting Doernbecher’s Children’s Hospital through the Children’s Miracle Network.

The $2.3 billion, Bremerton, Wash.-based Kitsap Credit Union announced two board appointments.

Vasuma Sargent was appointed to the Board of Directors. Sargent, a Certified Public Accountant, is currently the director of corporate accounting and financial reporting for Weyerhaeuser in Seattle. Throughout her career, she’s served in various professional roles at KPMG, LLC, Connor Group and BioLife Solutions, Inc. as well as served on the Boards of the Kirkland Arts Center in Kirkland, Wash., and BRING CHANGE TO MIND in San Francisco.

Matthew Ellsworth was appointed to the Board of Directors. Ellsworth currently serves as executive director of the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts. His professional experience includes serving in key staff positions for two U.S. senators, leading state and legislative lobbying efforts, and serving as a government and public affairs manager for an association. He currently serves on the Boards of the Association of Washington Business and Love Heals.

MIDWEST

Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union ($725 million, Baxter, Minn.) promoted Miranda Anderson to SVP of strategy and marketing. In her expanded role, she will remain responsible for executing MMFCU’s strategic marketing and community outreach efforts. Additionally, she will lead data and business analytics processes focused on the development of long-range expansion and growth initiatives. Anderson has over two decades of experience in marketing and leadership and has spent half of her career in the financial services industry.

The $617 million, Sheboygan, Wis.-based Kohler Credit Union hired Christine Murray as vice president of audit and compliance. In her new role, Murray will spearhead initiatives concerning audit, compliance and risk management, ensuring alignment with the credit union’s goals. Additionally, she will serve as the key liaison with regulatory bodies. Murray brings over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, 11 of them focused on audit and compliance in both the private sector and as a financial examiner for the Department of Credit Unions through the State of Wisconsin. She holds a master’s of science in accounting from the University of Phoenix and obtained her Certified Internal Audit Certification from the Institute of Internal Auditors. She currently serves as a volunteer treasurer for the Kaukauna Youth Band Organization.

The $2.5 billion, Brighton, Mich.-based Lake Trust Credit Union hired Krassi Kassabov as EVP, chief strategy officer. In his new role, Kassabov will help to facilitate organizational strategy and explore new opportunities to further expand the credit union’s reach and impact. In addition, as a member of Lake Trust’s leadership team, he will play a pivotal role in overseeing multiple functions across the organization. Kassabov previously served at Citizens Bank in Pennsylvania for more than 20 years, starting as a sales and service representative and elevating to his most recent role as SVP, head of strategic initiatives. He holds an MBA from American InterContinental University in Chandler, Ariz.

EAST

Kevin B. Laine, EVP for the $659 million, Martinsville, Va.-based ValleyStar Credit Union, was appointed to the Board of Directors of New College Institute by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin. Laine has over 35 years of experience in the financial services industry, having held various leadership positions at ValleyStar, including vice president of facilities and security, vice president of human resources and vice president of branch operations. He holds an MBA from Averett University in Danville, Va., and currently serves on the board of directors for the Patrick & Henry Community College Foundation. Laine is also a 2001 graduate of the Southeast Regional CUNA Management School.

SOUTH

Wade Radtke, senior residential mortgage originator for the $1.6 billion, North Augusta, S.C.-based SRP Federal Credit Union and Josh Richardson, mortgage loan originator for SRP FCU, recently received the Platinum Award from the Mortgage Bankers Association of Georgia during its annual Gold Awards at the Cobb County Galleria in Atlanta. They were recognized for their outstanding dedication to their home buyers as well as a total loan volume of over $10 million in loans closed.

The $2.1 billion, Richardson, Texas-based Texans Credit Union promoted Tanya Patterson to SVP of strategic solutions. In her new role, Patterson will lead growth-focused initiatives by further implementing innovative process enhancements. Since joining Texans in 2004, she has held various positions including in operations, IT and emerging technologies. Most recently, she served as vice president of strategic solutions. Prior to joining Texans, Patterson worked in several financial-related positions for Corporate Network eCom, U.S. Central, the former U.S. Central Federal Credit Union, Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and Baird Kurtz & Dobson. She holds a master’s of science degree in accounting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

LEAGUES

The Virginia Credit Union League announced two promotions and one employee departure.

CeJae Vtipilson was promoted to vice president of political affairs. Vtipilson joined the League in 2016. In his new role, he will continue his work promoting the League’s legislative and regulatory priorities at the state and federal levels as part of the League’s advocacy team. He will also continue to manage the Virginia Credit Union Political Action Committee and work with member credit unions, building grassroots efforts on high-impact issues and executing advocacy strategies to promote the “Credit Union Difference” and achieve positive outcomes for credit unions.

Jasmine Mines was promoted to director of marketing. Mines joined the League in 2022, and in her new role, she will lead the marketing function, including strategy and content creation for print and digital channels, management of the League’s social media presence, support of the League Service Corporation and TRGroup initiatives, marketing for League events and coordinating the League’s public relations work.

Lewis Wood, vice president of public relations and communication, departed the League on March 26 after nearly 27 years with the organization.

VENDORS

Baker Hill, a Carmel, Ind.-based provider of loan origination and risk management solutions for banks and credit unions, announced one promotion and one new hire.

Mike Horrocks was promoted to SVP of corporate strategy and product marketing. In his new role, he will be responsible for spearheading go-to-market strategies, implementing product marketing initiatives, analyzing competitive market intelligence, managing strategic product partnership and more. Horrocks will continue to serve as a key industry liaison and spokesperson on behalf of Baker Hill, as well as continue to spearhead the company’s Client Advisory Board. He has been with Baker Hill for more than 20 years and served in multiple roles, most recently vice president of product management.

Joe Pavlik was hired as SVP of product management. In his new position, Pavlik will play an influential role in shaping Baker Hill’s long-term product vision, strategy and development roadmap to drive innovation and meet the business objectives of the company’s financial institution clients. He brings over two decades of experience in financial services and SaaS, having held leadership roles with PNC Bank, Fiserv and most recently, Luxoft. He served as head of bank solutions and strategy at Luxoft, and at Fiserv, Pavlik held various product leadership roles within the commercial strategy and business banking teams.

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