8 Professionals Reach New Heights in Their Credit Union Careers

EAST

Chris Parker, president/CEO for the $1.9 billion, Portsmouth, N.H.-based Northeast Credit Union, was appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC) for a three-year term. Advisory council members provide insight to Bank leadership on matters of importance in New England by sharing on-the-ground industry and sector-based insight on local economies throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Maine. The 12-member CDIAC represents commercial banks, thrifts and credit unions with assets of less than $10 billion.

The $8.2 billion Harrisburg, Pa.-based PSECU announced two promotions.

Isaac Losch was promoted to assistant vice president, head of credit risk management. Losch most recently served as senior director of credit risk management for PSECU. In his new role, he will oversee the credit risk management, collections and financial crimes units. Losch has been with PSECU for over 23 years and holds a Project Management Professional Certification.

Kristie Lowe was promoted to assistant vice president of strategic finance and planning. Lowe has been with PSECU for nearly 14 years and most recently served as director of strategic finance and planning. In her new role, she will be responsible for leading the product pricing and profitability function and the financial planning and analysis team. She holds an MBA from Shippensburg University in Shippensburg, Pa., and is a Certified Treasury Professional through the Association of Financial Professionals.

The $1.6 billion, Pittsfield, Mass.-based Greylock Federal Credit Union promoted Kathie O’Neil to branch manager of its Kellogg Street branch in Pittsfield. In her new role, O’Neil manages a staff of eight and plays an active role in business development. Her key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, originating mortgage and home equity loans, overseeing branch compliance, originating and underwriting consumer loans, and maintaining a wide variety of member accounts. O’Neil began her career with Greylock as a loan processor in 1994.

The $4.2 billion, New York, N.Y.-based Municipal Credit Union promoted Toni-Ann Sforza to the newly-created position of COO. In her new role, Sforza will have responsibility for payments (card services, EFT operations and electronic services), people and administration (facilities and physical security, human resources, and learning and development) and delivery channels (ATM fleet, branch delivery, contact center, digital delivery and member support operation). Sforza most recently served as MCU’s chief people and experience officer since May 2023. Prior to that, she served as MCU’s chief HR officer, a role she held since arriving at the credit union in May 2021. Before joining MCU, Sforza served in various people leadership roles within New York’s financial services sector for nearly two decades. She holds sHRBP and SHRM-CP certifications, and in 2015, the National Association of Professional Women inducted her into its “Woman of the Year Circle” in recognition of her trusted leadership in HR. She also accepted an invitation from CHIEF in 2022 to join its private network focused on connecting and supporting women executive leaders.

MIDWEST

John Sackett, board member for the $5.1 billion, Eau Claire, Wis.-based Royal Credit Union, was among 16 leaders to be inducted into the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders during the America’s Credit Unions GAC on March 3. Members of the Hall of Leaders are exceptional individuals who have dedicated their lives to perpetuating the credit union mission and philosophy. Sackett joined Royal’s Board of Directors in 1984, and served as chair from 1991-2008 and as treasurer from 2008-2018. In 2012, Sackett helped establish the RCU Foundation and has served as its chair since the organization was created. From 2011-2015, he served as chair of the CUNA Volunteer Leadership Committee. Sackett was also appointed to CUNA’s Board of Directors in 2015, was elected to the position in 2016 and was re-elected for two additional terms, serving until December 2023. In addition, he has served on the National Credit Union Foundation Board of Directors since 2016 and was elected to serve as chair in January 2024, having previously served as vice chair.

Notre Dame Federal Credit Union ($1.1 billion, Notre Dame, Ind.) hired Eric Gerhold as CFO. Gerhold most recently served as vice president – senior corporate asset liability manager at Horizon Bank. He brings 38 years of experience, having also served in leadership roles at St. Joseph Capital Bank, where he was a founding employee and held positions in credit and treasury. In addition, Gerhold previously served as the president of the Michigan City Zoological Society.

CUSOS

CU LIFT Fund, an Austin, Texas-based CUSO focused on helping credit unions directly fund more auto loans, hired Paul Rindone as president. Prior to joining CU LIFT Fund, Rindone was a vice president of fintech solutions at TruStage, focusing on automotive. His previous experience includes more than 25 years with CDK Global (formerly ADP Dealer Services), where he served in various executive roles, leading businesses and a product portfolio. He also served on the Vehicle Finance Board of the American Financial Services Association.

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