Executives Named at CUs in Washington, Maryland, Pennsylvania & Mississippi

WEST

The $5.5 billion, Richland, Wash.-based Gesa Credit Union announced two new hires.

Kurt Johnson was hired as CFO. In his new role, Johnson will coordinate and supervise Gesa’s accounting, finance, analytics and incentive programs, as well as oversee the credit union’s strategic planning, operational activities and project management. He will collaborate with Gesa’s executive leadership team and other departments to strategize cost-effective solutions for all aspects of the organization.

Steve Tagnolli was hired as vice president of home loans. In his new role, Tagnolli will be responsible for managing Gesa’s Home Loan Department and staff, including overseeing its mortgage-lending portfolio and executing effective strategies that are in line with the credit union’s goals. He will also provide leadership and direction to his team, fostering efficiency and optimizing workflows to support their personal and professional growth. He began his career in the financial services industry more than 27 years ago and most recently served as both CFO and chief risk officer at Educators Credit Union ($3.3 billion, Mount Pleasant, Wis.).

EAST

SECU ($5.4 billion, Linthicum, Md.) and the SECU MD Foundation hired Charlotte Z. Owsianny as executive director of the Foundation. Owsianny brings nearly 20 years of experience in fundraising and grant management in the nonprofit sector. She most recently served as chief advancement officer at Next One Up, where she spearheaded all marketing, fundraising and donor engagement events and efforts. She previously served as an associate with Blaustein Philanthropic Group and later as an independent nonprofit consultant. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from Johns Hopkins University.

The $7.8 billon, Enola, Pa.-based Members 1st Federal Credit Union rehired Karen Roland as SVP of marketing. Roland previously served as assistant vice president of marketing for Members 1st and was promoted to vice president of member service and digital engagement from 2019-2021. She has been in the credit union space for over 15 years, most recently as an associate EVP with State Employees Credit Union ($55.8 billion, Raleigh, N.C.), where she led marketing, communications and outreach. She was also assistant vice president of marketing and communications for PSECU ($8.5 billion, Harrisburg, Pa.) for over 10 years.

MIDWEST

Two members of the MSU Federal Credit Union ($7.8 billion, East Lansing, Mich.) leadership team were honored with individual awards from the Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates during the Honor Awards Gala at the MCUL & Affiliates’ 90th annual Convention & Exposition in Traverse City, Mich.

Chief Digital Strategy and Innovation Officer Ben Maxim received the 2024 Professional of the Year award. He first joined the credit union in 2007 as a web developer. Maxim is currently responsible for assessing emerging business trends and technologies; providing strategic direction for existing and future digital channels; and facilitating innovation throughout MSUFCU, including leading its innovation center, The Lab at MSUFCU. In addition to his MSUFCU role, Maxim serves as the COO for the CUSO Reseda Group and its subsidiaries.

Board Chair Greg Deppong received the 2024 Board Member of the Year award. Deppong has served on the MSUFCU Board since 2008. Prior to his board tenure, he served as chair of the MSUFCU Supervisory Committee. A Certified Public Accountant, Deppong is the controller at Michigan State University. He has more than 30 years of accounting and financial management experience in public accounting and higher education.

SOUTH

HOPE Federal Credit Union ($616 million, Jackson, Miss.) announced two new hires.

Chloe Dotson was hired as chief program officer. In her new role, Dotson leads HOPE”s Community and Economic Development (CED) team, which focuses on strengthening community infrastructure that increases economic mobility, such affordable housing, health care and education. She brings both domestic and international work experience, having most recently served as director of planning and development for the city of Jackson. She also served as the director of real estate development for come dream come build (CDCB) in Brownsville, Texas, where she advanced affordable housing opportunities in communities along the U.S. and Mexico border.

Gopal Narasimhan was hired as chief digital and technology officer. In his new role, Narasimhan will lead HOPE’s data and analytics, information technology and strategic technology teams. He brings nearly two decades of experience at FedEx, where he held multiple roles within revenue management, marketing, product and data. Most recently, he served as vice president, product at FedEx Dataworks, and previously served in leadership roles across industry verticals (including health care, aerospace, automotive, high tech and high value retail), sensor based logistics, FedEx Logistics and emerging markets. Prior to his tenure at FedEx, he worked as an IT consultant and architect in the U.S., Germany and Singapore.

CUSOS

The Washington, D.C.-based student lending CUSO CU Student Choice appointed Denise Stevens, EVP and chief product officer for Velera (formerly PSCU/Co-Op Solutions), to its Board of Directors. Stevens is responsible for product management, application development and emerging services at Velera, where she returned in 2015 after serving as EVP at Vantage Credit Union ($1.1 billion, St. Louis, Mo.). Prior to her tenure at the credit union, she spent seven years at Velera, and previously held leadership roles at Mastercard, Paymentech and Equifax. She succeeds Tom Gandre, EVP and chief technology officer for Velera, who served on the Board for eight years.

TRADES

The Defense Credit Union Council announced that Elijah “Bennie” Roberts, Edward Marvin and Charlie Miller were selected to join the DCUC Hall of Honor.

Roberts is director emeritus for the $2.6 billion, Suitland, Md.-based Andrews Federal Credit Union.

Marvin is director emeritus for the $17.4 billion, Live Oak, Texas-based Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union.

Miller is first vice-chair of the Board of Directors for the $7.6 billion, Huntsville, Ala.-based Redstone Federal Credit Union.

According to DCUC, the three honorees have an impressive history of service and dedication to their military and veteran communities. They will be inducted into the Hall of Honor during the DCUC Annual Conference in St. Petersburg, Fla., scheduled for Aug. 12-16, 2024.

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