17 Credit Union Professionals Elevate Their Careers

WEST

The $5.5 billion, Richland, Wash.-based Gesa Credit Union hired Jake Stamas as Small Business Administration (SBA) relationship manager for Southwest Washington and Oregon. Stamas brings more than eight years of experience in the financial services industry, having most recently spent the past eight years working in various roles at Citizens Bank. In his new role, Stamas will specialize in business acquisitions and primarily collaborate with owner occupied businesses for real estate and equipment purchases. Additionally, he will work with the United States Department of Agriculture Business and Industry Loan Program to facilitate property acquisition for both owner occupied and investors in rural areas.

The $1.8 billion, Carson City, Nev.-based Greater Nevada Credit Union announced three promotions.

John Ahdunko was named SVP of member success. Ahdunko joined GNCU in 2015 as a regional manager before stepping into the role of vice president of business development. He has more than a decade of banking industry experience, and in his new role, he oversees member services, commercial services, the member resource center, and business development and member outreach. Adhunko is an active board member for the Education Alliance of Washoe County and Junior Achievement of Northern Nevada.

Veronica Gomez was named vice president of digital member experience. Gomez started at GNCU as digital experience manager in 2018 and has more than 23 years of banking experience. In her new role, she will continue leading the digital solutions team to deliver online tools and resources that provide members with a cohesive digital experience. She holds a master’s degree in management and leadership from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City.

Michael Thomas was named chief strategy officer. In 2020, Thomas joined GNCU as vice president of marketing. He earned a promotion to SVP of communications in 2023, during which time he also oversaw GNCU’s community impact initiatives. Thomas has more than 25 years of experience and expertise in marketing and sales across private and public industries.

In his new role, he oversees GNCU’s marketing team, governmental affairs and two of the organization’s subsidiaries, Greater Nevada Financial Services and Greater Nevada Insurance. Thomas will also lead the development and execution of strategic initiatives designed to bring value to GNCU’s member-owners, and work closely with GNCU’s Board of Directors and key partners to identify and evaluate business strategies and resources that align with the organization’s passion, priorities and goals. He is a member of the Renown Health Foundation board of directors and a past board member of the Girl Scouts of the Sierra Nevada.

EAST

Ron Belle, president/CEO for the $2.6 billion, Rome, N.Y.-based AmeriCU Credit Union, was elected to the Board of Directors of CenterState CEO, a business leadership and economic development organization. Belle will serve a three-year term, providing guidance and insight toward CenterState CEO’s strategic goals and objectives. The election of Belle and other new and returning directors was announced at the organization’s Annual Meeting on April 11.

The $7.2 billion, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based Hudson Valley Credit Union announced three new hires and one promotion.

Brooks Peyton was hired as SVP of technology services. Peyton brings over 25 years of experience, having most recently served as senior director, IT support services for Ent Federal Credit Union ($9.8 billion, Colorado Springs, Colo.). In his new role, Peyton will help the credit union navigate IT infrastructure, system operations and the implementation of new hardware and software solutions.

Juan Leal Arciniegas was hired as vice president/fair lending officer. Arciniegas brings more than 10 years of experience in the financial services industry with an emphasis on compliance management, risk management and regulatory mandates within various areas of lending. He previously served as head of compliance and regulatory affairs for Tenet Energy, Inc. In his new role, he will ensure HVCU maintains its effective Fair Lending Program in compliance with all respective laws, regulations and policies.

Paula Aveni was hired as vice president/manager of wealth management sales at Wealth Management at HVCU. Aveni brings 20 years of experience in financial services, having most recently served as director of the wealth management retail program at Broadview Wealth Management. In her new role, she will help the team expand business development, provide staff training opportunities and implement effective sales strategies.

Tina Ludwig was promoted to vice president of emerging channels. In her new role, Ludwig will develop and execute strategies to help increase market share, revenue and profitability across HVCU’s emerging digital and insurance channels. She previously led HVCU’s Insurance Services department as director of insurance services for over 10 years.

The $2.9 billion, Virginia Beach, Va.-based Chartway Credit Union announced two new hires.

Nick Whiting was hired into the newly-created role of SVP of the Utah region. In this position, Whiting will support members and team members at the 15 Chartway branches in the credit union’s Utah and Texas markets. He will also lead the continued transformation of Chartway’s Utah and Texas branch operations, and as a fluent Spanish speaker, will advance Chartway’s multicultural strategy and increase access to low-cost financial products and services for historically underserved segments of the population. Whiting brings more than 18 years of experience in financial services, including a tenure as part of the branch leadership team at Utah Community Credit Union ($3 billion, Provo, Utah). He previously led all aspects of regional branch operations at Zion’s Bank. He holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Sander Casino was hired as CFO. Casino brings more than 26 years of experience in financial institutions, having most recently served as SVP of finance for Local Government Federal Credit Union ($4.1 billion, Raleigh, N.C.) and its affiliate Civic Credit Union. He previously served as director of treasury at RBC Bank. In his new role, Casino will serve as Chartway’s top financial expert, leveraging his experience to collaborate with the executive team and work closely with Chartway’s CEO to build the credit union’s financial strength to meet members’ financial needs and further support its communities. He holds a graduate certificate in financial markets from Boston University and an advanced certificate in management, innovation and technology from MIT Sloan School of Business.

MIDWEST

The $7.5 billion, Waterloo, Iowa-based Veridian Credit Union promoted Kim Fettkether to vice president of community and government relations. Fettkether has been with the credit union for more than 22 years and most recently served as vice president of strategic development and advocacy officer. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa in business administration, and currently serves on the boards of Dunkerton Community School District, MercyOne Waterloo Foundation, Exceptional Persons, Inc. and the Iowa Credit Union Foundation.

SOUTH

The $652 million Soarion Credit Union in San Antonio hired Hisham Eid as assistant vice president of tech innovation and integration. In his new role, Eid will spearhead digital and innovation efforts including the identification and implementation of new technologies and optimization of existing technologies. He will also manage the project management efforts of the organization. Eid brings more than 17 years of experience in project delivery, process improvement, data analytics, voice of the member (VOM) and economic analysis. He is a 2023 Consumer Bankers Association Executive Banking School graduate and most recently served as manager of project delivery at Credit Human Credit Union ($4.2 billion, San Antonio).

The $6 billion Tinker Federal Credit Union in Oklahoma City, Okla., announced three board appointments, a retirement and a promotion.

Tiffany Broiles was elected to the Board of Directors.

Richard “Al” Rich was elected to the Board of Directors.

Scott White was elected to the Board of Directors. All three new volunteers were elected by acclamation at the credit union’s annual shareholders’ meeting, held virtually and in person on April 6.

Board Member Gary Wall retired effective April 6 after 28 years of service to the credit union. Wall began his tenure with TFCU in 1978, when he was appointed as an alternate member of the credit committee. Over the years, he has served in every position on the Board of Directors. Wall dedicated 28 years of his professional career with the U.S. Air Force in civil service, serving at Tinker Air Force Base as a physicist, engineer and engineering manager. His final role before retirement was as the chief engineer for the Air Force’s B-52 bomber fleet. He also held adjunct faculty positions at Oklahoma City University as a management information systems instructor in its MBA program, and at Rose State College in Midwest City, Okla., teaching introduction to engineering.

Lindsey DeVore was promoted to assistant vice president/manager, human resources operations. In her new role, DeVore will spearhead initiatives to enhance employees’ experience within TFCU. With a focus on fostering employee engagement and motivation, she will play a pivotal role in cultivating a positive culture throughout the credit union. DeVore has a decade of HR experience, having transitioned into various HR specialist roles before serving as an HR business partner for the past two years. Prior to joining TFCU, DeVore worked at a large regional credit union in Colorado.

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