Newly-Hired CU Executives Include a CFO/SVP at Suncoast

WEST

The $5.8 billion, Liberty Lake, Wash.-based STCU announced one new hire and one promotion.

Nate Wehunt was hired as vice president – director of digital and consumer products. Wehunt most recently led digital banking and e-commerce teams for City National Bank in California and Harris Bank in Illinois, respectively. He brings a wealth of experience in the digital banking and product development spaces and is also a small business owner.

Josh Hurley was promoted to assistant vice president – director of continuous improvement. Hurley has been with STCU since 2018, serving as the credit union’s continuous improvement manager. In his expanded role, he will build on STCU’s process improvements and help the credit union achieve strategic objectives, with special attention paid to cohesive planning across the organization.

EAST

Katlyn Derr, branch manager for the $7.8 billion, Enola, Pa.-based Members 1st Federal Credit Union, was recently named a Woman to Watch by Central Penn Business Journal. Derr began her career as a part-time teller while attending college and has since worked up to her current position as a branch manager. She will be recognized alongside several other women in the community at an awards dinner on June 27 at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel in Harrisburg, Pa.

MIDWEST

The $1.2 billion, Papillion, Neb.-based Cobalt Credit Union hired Terry Zitkovich as SVP of lending. Zitkovich brings over 14 years of experience in the financial services industry, including expertise in member service, strategic thinking, underwriting and project management. Most recently, he served as a chief lending officer at another local credit union. In his new role, Zitkovich will serve on Cobalt’s leadership team, overseeing all loan functions, credit risk management and strategic planning at Cobalt. He will also play a crucial part in aligning loan operations with the credit union’s strategic objectives and ensuring efficient loan processing, while maintaining regulatory compliance and fostering community involvement. He holds an MBA from Bellevue University in Bellevue, Neb.

Mike Pogorelec, vice president of lending for the $330 million, Beloit, Wis.-based First Community Credit Union, was appointed to the Stateline Boys & Girls Club’s Board of Directors. Pogorelec has over 16 years of management experience, with 11 years in the finance industry. He began his career as a mortgage loan officer at a community bank and later served in roles in which he developed and managed departments at multiple credit unions. He has also coached hockey for 20 years and currently works with the girls program for the Madison Capitols.

The $5.2 billion Royal Credit Union in Eau Claire, Wis., announced two board re-elections at its 60th Annual Meeting on April 30 at its Corporate Center.

Bill Blackburn was re-elected to a three-year term. Blackburn was first elected to Royal’s Board of Directors in 2005. He currently serves on the Finance Committee and Credit Oversight Committee. Prior to serving on the board, he was employed by Royal for nine years, with his final seven in business lending. He left Royal in 2001 to pursue an opportunity to own his own business.

John Sackett was re-elected to a three-year term. Sackett has served on the board for over 40 years. He currently serves as chairperson of the Audit Committee and as a member of the Political Action Committee. He previously served as chairperson of the board for 17 years and treasurer for 10 years.

In addition, Tom Huffcutt was elected chairman, Stuart Schaefer was elected vice chairman, Doug Olson was elected treasurer and Jennifer McDonough was elected secretary.

SOUTH

The $18.1 billion, Tampa, Fla.-based Suncoast Credit Union hired Ben Lemoine as CFO and SVP, effective April 29. Lemoine brings more than 18 years of experience in the credit union industry, having most recently served as CFO for a credit union in Virginia Beach, Va. In his new role, he will lead all aspects of Suncoast’s financial strategy; oversee the credit union’s finance, accounting and information technology functions; and manage all budgets and financial operations. Lemoine has extensive financial experience leading all facets of data analytics, enterprise applications, liquidity and cash management, capital markets, portfolio management, budget developments, risk management and financial analysis. He holds an MBA in finance from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

The $5.7 billion, Plano, Texas-based Catalyst Corporate Federal Credit Union hired Brenden McGinness as vice president of sales. In his new role, McGinness will help connect Catalyst’s members to solutions addressing key business needs. He brings more than two decades of experience working with credit unions, having most recently served as vice president of sales North America for BackBase. Before that, he spent 22 years with the payments CUSO PSCU/Co-op Solutions (now Velera).

LEAGUES

The Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) announced the results of its Board of Directors election at its annual business meeting, held April 18 at Mystic Lake Center in Prior Lake, Minn.

Jay Gostonczik, president/CEO of SouthPoint Financial Credit Union ($545 million, Sleepy Eye, Minn.), was elected to a three-year term in the at-large category.

Dave Larson, president/CEO of Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union ($4.2 billion, St. Paul, Minn.), was elected to a three-year term in the at-large category and will serve as secretary/treasurer. Larson was appointed to the Board last year to fill a vacancy after the retirement of Tom Smith, former president/CEO of TopLine Financial Credit Union ($836 million, Maple Grove, Minn.).

Mary Matheson, president/CEO of Wakota Federal Credit Union ($43.4 million, South St. Paul, Minn.), was elected to a three-year term in the 10,000 or fewer member seats category.

Dana Garrett, CEO of North Memorial Federal Credit Union ($52.4 million, Robbinsdale, Minn.), was elected chair.

Steve Ewers, president/CEO of the $1.1 billion, Duluth, Minn.-based Members Cooperative Credit Union, was elected vice chair.

MnCUN Board Chair Dave Boden announced he will be stepping down as chair following the annual business meeting and from the Board later this year. Board Members Mary Hansen and Julia Havens termed off the MnCUN Board after 12 years of service.

The Ohio Credit Union League recognized three Ohio credit union leaders at its annual conference, held April 22-24 in Columbus.

Gary Soukenik, retired president/CEO of 7 17 Credit Union ($1.6 billion, Warren, Ohio), received the Louise McCarren Herring Movement Advancement Award for his long-term contributions to the credit union movement. He has served the credit union movement for 46 years.

Michael Barr, president/CEO of Commodore Perry Federal Credit Union ($86 million, Oak Harbor, Ohio), received the Robert Kloss Professional Achievement Award for embodying the cooperative spirit of the credit union community. Under Mike’s leadership, Commodore Perry has secured Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) grants totaling more than $3.5 million.

James Tebbutt, general counsel of KEMBA Financial Credit Union ($1.6 billion, Gahanna, Ohio), received the Claude Clarke Advocacy Impact Award for outstanding dedication to advocacy on behalf of the credit union movement. As a member of the League’s Advocacy Action Committee, he paved the way for credit unions to participate in Ohio’s suite of linked-deposit programs.

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