DakCU & Montana's Credit Unions Recognize Outstanding Professionals

EAST

The $7.2 billion, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based Hudson Valley Credit Union announced two new hires.

Gary Barker was hired as vice president, director of banking products. Barker brings more than 30 years of experience in financial services. In his new role, he will develop product strategies, analyze market data and industry trends, and strengthen processes and procedures to ensure a strong member service experience. He previously served at institutions including Bank of America, Webster Bank and First Niagara Bank.

Jijo Koshy was hired as assistant vice president, senior end user technology engineer. In his new role, Koshy will help maintain the credit union's information technology services for employees and develop new automations, processes and standards that will ensure technology operations are secure and efficient. He brings nearly 20 years of experience in IT, during which time he optimized a variety of operations and employee functions, as well as provided leadership expertise to the teams he managed.

LEAGUES

The Dakota Credit Union Association (DakCU) recognized three Dakota credit union professionals for their outstanding individual achievements during an awards banquet at the Grand Falls Casino & Resort in Larchwood, Iowa.

Laura Hausmann, financial services representative at United Savings Credit Union ($119 million, Fargo, N.D.), received the Professional of the Year Award. This award honors one credit union professional each year for their contributions to advance the credit union movement in their state and the nation by helping to craft an environment that allows credit unions to grow and prosper, to better serve their members. Hausmann has been with United Savings for 22 years and holds a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor designation.

Jennifer Jerauld, assistant vice president member services at Town & Country Credit Union ($695 million, Minot, N.D.), received the Emerging Leader of the Year Award. This award recognizes one credit union employee each year showing proven dedication and enthusiasm for the credit union movement by executing the credit union mission and guiding in new directions that enhance the overall vision of their organization. Jerauld has served on the board of directors for the Credit Unions United Chapter since 2021 and is the current president.

Darrell Pepper, board member at Ft. Randall Federal Credit Union ($39.6 million, Wagner, S.D.), was named Volunteer of the Year. This award goes to one volunteer who has selflessly contributed time, effort and talent to the development of the credit union movement in their state. Pepper has served on the Ft. Randall Board for 24 years and has been president since 2005.

Montana's Credit Unions announced four award winners during its annual Power Up conference.

Jack Lawson, president/CEO for the $1 billion, Missoula, Mont.-based Clearwater Credit Union, was named Professional of the Year.

Erin Knerr with the $106 million, Lewistown, Mont.-based Fergus Federal Credit Union was named Young Professional of the Year.

Paul Dockter with the $334 million, Great Falls, Mont.-based Montana Credit Union was named the Mitch Reed Volunteer of the Year.

Kelly Fleiner with the $383 million, Helena, Mont.-based Rocky Mountain Credit Union received the Philanthropy in Action Award.

TRADES

NACUSO announced three new hires.

Adam Lee was hired as head of innovation. Lee most recently served as a social impact consultant for SOULCHI International, and previously served at Filene Research Institute as incubator director. He holds a master of public affairs from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is certified as a Project Management Professional and Credit Union Development Educator, with additional certifications in Strategic Foresight and DEI from Cornell University.

Rebecca Isaacs was hired as head of sustainability. Isaacs most recently served vice president of partnerships and development at the Credit Union Association of New Mexico. Before that, she was a dedicated brand and product specialist at Nusenda Credit Union ($5 billion, Albuquerque). She also served as marketing director for Leadership New Mexico and held various roles in marketing communications and business development across multiple organizations. She holds a Credit Union Development Educator designation.

Sedric Brinson was hired as head of collaboration. Brinson most recently served as an engagement consultant for America's Credit Unions and CUNA. Sedric was previously the assistant vice president and brand ambassador at Statewide Federal Credit Union ($177 million, Flowood, Miss.). He completed CUNA Management School at Texas Christian University and MS School of Banking at Ole Miss. He is also a certified Credit Union Development Educator and the founder of L.E.A.D., Mississippi's first Young Professionals Group (Leaders Engaged In Action and Development).

Please send your People news items to Natasha Chilingerian at [email protected].

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Natasha Chilingerian has been immersed in the credit union industry for over a decade. She first joined CU Times in 2011 as a freelance writer, and following a two-year hiatus from 2013-2015, during which time she served as a communications specialist for Xceed Financial Credit Union (now Kinecta Federal Credit Union), she re-joined the CU Times team full-time as managing editor. She was promoted to executive editor in 2019. In the earlier days of her career, Chilingerian focused on news and lifestyle journalism, serving as a writer and editor for numerous regional publications in Oregon, Louisiana, South Carolina and the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, she holds experience in marketing copywriting for companies in the finance and technology space. At CU Times, she covers People and Community news, cybersecurity, fintech partnerships, marketing, workplace culture, leadership, DEI, branch strategies, digital banking and more. She currently works remotely and splits her time between Southern California and Portland, Ore.