Vizo Financial Reveals Board Member & Officer Appointments

EAST

The $7.2 billion, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based Hudson Valley Credit Union announced four new branch managers.

Chris Galayda was promoted to branch manager at the Newburgh branch in Newburgh, N.Y. Galayda joined HVCU in 2022 as a commercial loan officer and has more than 18 years of banking leadership experience. He previously served as a former branch leader at TD Bank, PCSB Bank, Citibank and KeyBank. Galayda also has 12 years of experience as a real estate professional in the Hudson Valley.

Courtney Thayer was hired as branch manager for the Latham branch in Latham, N.Y. She previously served at Berkshire Bank as a financial center manager. Thayer also brings extensive experience in retail store management.

Elaine Aybar was hired as senior branch manager for the Chester branch in Chester, N.Y. Aybar brings more than 20 years of experience, having most recently held the role of vice president and branch manager for Citibank.

Kyle Richardson was hired as senior branch manager at the Arlington branch in Poughkeepsie. He brings 15 years of experience in financial services, having most recently served as assistant vice president of sales and service for TEG Federal Credit Union ($439 million, Poughkeepsie). In his new role, Richardson will play an integral role in strengthening and retaining member and employee relations.

SOUTH

The $7 billion, Greensboro, N.C.-based Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union announced nine board appointments during its 2024 Annual Meeting on June 19.

Daniel Berry, CEO of the $192 million Duke University Federal Credit Union in Durham, N.C., was re-elected to the board for a three-year term and will serve as vice chair.

Paul Hughes, president/CEO of the $447 million Greenville Federal Credit Union in Greenville, S.C., was re-elected to the board for a three-year term.

Jerry King, president/CEO of the $445 million DEXSTA Federal Credit Union in Wilmington, Del., was re-elected to the board for a three-year term.

Jeff Chelius, CFO of the $301 million Riverfront Federal Credit Union in Wyomissing, Pa., was appointed chair of the board.

Genice DeCorte, CEO of the $53.5 million HealthShare Credit Union in Greensboro, N.C., was appointed treasurer of the board.

Derek Fuzzell, chief financial and strategy officer of the $327 million PAHO/WHO Federal Credit Union in Washington, D.C., was appointed secretary of the board.

Amy Lichwa, CEO of the $35.3 million Norwin Teachers Federal Credit Union in Irwin, Pa., was appointed chair of the Supervisory Committee.

Elba Arenas, president/CEO of the $223 million MC Federal Credit Union in Danville, Pa., was appointed as a member of the Supervisory Committee.

Maria LaVelle, CEO of the $121 million Pheple Federal Credit Union in Greensburg, Pa., was appointed as a member of the Supervisory Committee.

The $2.9 billion, Tampa, Fla.-based GTE Financial announced two promotions.

Priscilla Abreu was promoted to vice president digital payments and fraud operations. Abreu has been with GTE Financial for over 15 years, starting as a part-time collector and quickly advancing to a full-time position as a loss prevention coordinator. She most recently served as assistant vice president of digital payments. In her new role, she will oversee fraud operations and risk. Abreu is also the Mastercard Relationship's primary owner. She holds an MBA from the University of Tampa.

Troy Hepler was promoted to vice president systems operations. Hepler has been with GTE Financial for over 12 years, starting as a compliance analyst and working his way up to a business systems analyst position and then an assistant vice president position. In his new role, he will oversee document imaging, continuous improvement and critical systems, including MeridianLink, DNA and Encompass, as well as additional applications and key business systems. He will also focus on improving operational efficiency and efficacy as the credit union further innovates for a diverse portfolio of products and services. Hepler holds a master's in management with a concentration in organizational leadership from the American Military University.

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.