Cobalt CU Promotes Two HR Leaders; Gerber FCU Passes the CFO Torch

WEST

Westerra Credit Union ($2.1 billion, Denver, Colo.) hired Brandon Short as a mortgage loan officer. Short brings over 18 years of experience providing homeowners with mortgage solutions and educating borrowers about the mortgage industry and their purchasing options, and has helped hundreds of families and individuals make their dreams of homeownership come true.

EAST

The $5.3 billion, North Chesterfield, Va.-based Virginia Credit Union re-elected three board members during its 95th Annual Meeting on March 27.

Robert Bolling was re-elected to a four-year term on the Board. Bolling was first elected to the Board four years ago and currently serves as secretary/treasurer. He is the CEO of ChildSavers, a nonprofit focusing on children’s mental health.

Patricia A. Green was re-elected to a four-year term on the Board. Green has served on the Board for four years and is senior director of development for the YMCA of Greater Richmond in Richmond, Va.

Paul D. Thompson was re-elected to a four-year term on the Board. Thompson is an eight-year member of the Board and is vice president/Mid-Atlantic distribution for MoboTrex, Inc., a firm specializing in the distribution of traffic control devices and transportation control systems.

MIDWEST

Jose Garcia, president/CEO for the $67.2 million, Morton Grove, Ill.-based Northwest Community Credit Union, was recently appointed by Governor JB Pritzker to the Board of Credit Union Advisors for the state of Illinois.

The $1.2 billion, Papillion, Neb.-based Cobalt Credit Union announced two promotions.

Erin Maloney was promoted to vice president of culture development. Maloney has over six years of experience in Cobalt’s human resources and culture development department. In her new role, she will serve on Cobalt’s leadership team, developing policies and coordinating HR activities such as staffing, employment, compensation, performance management, employee relations, labor law relations, benefits and training. Maloney will also oversee the development and implementation of HR policies, programs and services. She holds a master’s degree in HR from Bellevue University in Bellevue, Neb., and is a SHRM Certified Professional.

Allison Malone was promoted to chief human resources officer. Malone has 17 years of experience in the HR field, 14 of those with Cobalt. In her new role, Malone will serve on Cobalt’s leadership team, overseeing the strategic direction of the HR department and providing leadership and direction for HR policy, employee relations, recruitment, systems development and benefits. She will also play a pivotal role in shaping Cobalt’s HR strategies to support the organization’s growth objectives while fostering a culture of engagement, inclusion and continuous learning. Malone holds a master’s degree in communications from the University of Nebraska, a SHRM Certified Professional certification, a PHR certification and an Emergenetics certification.

Phil Archer, SVP and CFO for the $225 million, Fremont, Mich.-based Gerber Federal Credit Union, announced his plan to retire in summer 2024 after over 18 years of service. Archer came to Gerber in 2005 with 19 years of financial experience within the credit union industry. He started out as vice president of finance and was promoted to SVP and CFO in 2021. Archer has spent a total of 38 years in the credit union industry.

Todd Visser was selected to serve as the new CFO and is working closely with Archer until he retires in late May. Visser has served on the Gerber Supervisory Committee for 15 years and the Board of Directors for four years.

CUSOS

CU LIFT Fund, an Austin, Texas-based CUSO focused on helping credit unions directly fund more auto loans, hired David Germann as vice president of sales and marketing. In his new role, Germann will drive the CUSO’s go-to-market strategy. He has had an extensive career in retail banking and most recently served as chief lending officer for the $1.5 billion, Wichita, Kan.-based Credit Union of America.

VENDORS

Strategic Resource Management (SRM), a Memphis, Tenn.-based advisory firm serving banks and credit unions, hired Chris Gunnare as EVP. In his new role, he will be supporting growth initiatives and client services. Gunnare brings 35 years of experience, having most recently served six years at PSCU/Co-op Solutions as a client advocate and leading new business sales teams. Before joining PSCU/Co-op Solutions, Gunnare was part of the executive team during a 24-year tenure at The Members Group (TMG), where he led overall company growth and various functions, including sales, account management, renewals, marketing and market research.

The Tampa, Fla.-based credit union consulting firm Engage fi hired Fabio Biasella as director of strategic services. In his new role, Biasella will spearhead efforts to enhance client strategy and board planning, which will include consultations, scenario planning and executive roadmap development to influence organizational direction, setting clients up for future growth and success. He will also provide comprehensive merger and acquisitions support, conduct client performance benchmarking and drive thought leadership initiatives. Biasella brings over 30 years of experience in retail banking with a focus on strategic and financial analysis. He previously led strategic advisory services for Raddon for over 16 years and held executive-level positions at several financial institutions. Biasella is also a frequent keynote speaker and presenter at national credit union and bank events.

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