13 CU Professionals Make Big Career Moves

WEST

The $2.4 billion, Vancouver, Wash.-based Columbia Credit Union hired Heather Friend as COO. In her new role, she will oversee the efficiency of day-to-day operations as well as develop and implement strategies to ensure the success of the credit union’s branches, contact center, support services and facilities. Friend brings more than 25 years of banking experience, from entry-level positions all the way up to senior leadership for U.S. Bank and Embold Credit Union ($612 million, Milwaukie, Ore.). At U.S. Bank, she oversaw one of its largest multi-skilled operation centers supporting customer service, the fraud liaison center, fraud operations, email operations, online operations, social media, chat and the wealth management teams. During her time at Embold, Friend moved into more member-focused roles, overseeing all branch operations, the call center, virtual banking, digital banking, support services, marketing, community development and investment services.

Priscilla Jaworski-Quintanilla, assistant manager of SBA/commercial lending at the $8.9 billion, Santa Rosa, Calif.-based Redwood Credit Union, was named the recipient of the 4th Annual Los Cien Puente y Ganas Individual Award during an awards ceremony on June 22 at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa. This honor recognizes her unwavering dedication and impactful contributions to the Latino community in Sonoma County. With RCU for more than 10 years, Jaworski-Quintanilla has also served as a Career Technical Education Foundation Board member for over four years, focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to make CTE programs more accessible to the Latino community; and serves as a board trustee of the Mark West Unified School District, where she is the first Latina to hold this position and advocates for the needs of Spanish-speaking students and families. She also serves on Los Cien Puente’s Latino Advisory Council, on behalf of RCU, to help produce and promote the Fiesta de Independencia and La Posada events.

MIDWEST

The $5.2 billion, Eau Claire, Wis.-based Royal Credit Union promoted Cody Kroening to business banking officer. In his new role, Kroening will be responsible for building relationships with new and existing business members by providing support, service and assistance with lending needs. Since 2017, Kroening has held a variety of positions at Royal, starting as member account representative and most recently serving as a business loan representative. He completed the Financial Counseling Certification Program through America’s Credit Unions, and is an active member of Royal’s internal Young Professionals Group and a part of Vadnais Heights Economic Development Corporation’s North Metro Young Professionals 2024 Cohort.

Lake Michigan Credit Union ($13.9 billion, Caledonia, Mich.) hired Peter Draaisma as vice president of commercial lending in Michigan. Draaisma brings over three decades of banking industry experience, having established himself across Michigan as an expert in commercial lending, credit risk management and real estate development.

SOUTH

Richard J. “Rick” Skaggs, CEO for the $1.1 billion, Tampa, Fla.-based USF Federal Credit Union, was named chair of the Board of Directors for the League of Southeastern Credit Unions following the LSCU Annual Business Meeting held in Orlando on June 13. Skaggs has more than 35 years of experience in the credit union industry and has served as USF FCU’s CEO for the past 14 years. In his role as chair, Skaggs will focus on enhancing member engagement, fostering collaborative initiatives and driving strategic advocacy efforts to ensure a favorable regulatory environment for credit unions.

Kevin Schlangen, area sales manager for the $5.5 billion, Plano, Texas-based Catalyst Corporate Credit Union, was appointed to the Board of Directors for Financial Managers Society (FMS) during the 2024 FMS Forum. FMS is a nonprofit association providing education, networking and other essential resources to finance professionals. Its membership includes 1,800 professionals from accounting, finance, sales, marketing and operations.

The $1 billion, Baton Rouge, La.-based EFCU Financial hired Mimi Singer Lee into the newly-created position of chief people and inclusion officer, effective July 1, 2024. Singer Lee brings more than 20 years of experience in human resources leadership, having previously served as EVP/chief HR officer, and most recently, chief communications officer, at b1BANK. Before joining b1BANK, she worked at Louisiana State University in various roles of increasing responsibility, including interim chief HR officer. She holds a PhD in human resource education from Louisiana State University, as well as the Professional in Human Resources certification from HRCI along with the SHRM Certified Professional designation. In addition, she served several years on the Greater Baton Rouge Society for Human Resource Management Board of Directors, and in 2014, was selected as the chapter president.

Her work in the Baton Rouge community includes serving as a founding member of the Echo Alliance, a collaborative “giving circle” benefiting the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center; a sustaining member and Community Advisory Board member for the Junior League of Baton Rouge; a member of the Baton Rouge General Foundation Board of Governors; a member of the Louisiana State University College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council; a member of the Louisiana State University College of Human Sciences & Education Dean’s Advisory Council and a member of the Board for the Louisiana Alliance for Nonprofits. She has also received numerous professional recognitions, including Outstanding Professional of the Year from the Greater Baton Rouge Society for Human Resource Management, a 2023 Influential Woman in Business from the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report, and a best and brightest professional in the Capital Region in the Greater Baton Rouge Business Report’s “Forty Under 40.”

LEAGUES

The Carolinas Credit Union League announced three appointments of credit union leaders to the boards and committees of regulatory bodies.

Beth Eller, SVP of mortgage lending for the $5.5 billion, Winston Salem, N.C.-based Truliant Federal Credit Union, was appointed to the North Carolina Manufactured Housing Board.

Lynn Pinter, director of lending for the $552 million Champion Credit Union in Canton, N.C., was appointed to the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency.

Jaz Kilpatrick, SVP of impact for the $123 million Civic Federal Credit Union and $4.1 billion Local Government Federal Credit Union, both based in Raleigh, N.C., was appointed to the African American Heritage Commission.

Southeastern Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS) – a collaboration of seven southeastern credit union leagues including the Carolinas Credit Union League, Kentucky Credit Union League, League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates, Louisiana Credit Union League, Mississippi Credit Union Association, Tennessee Credit Union League and Virginia Credit Union League – announced two award winners.

Brad Ballentine, vice president controller for SAFE Federal Credit Union ($1.8 billion, Sumter, S.C.) received the 2024 Hugh Watson Award. Selected by vote of his classmates, Ballentine accepted the award on June 21 during this year’s session of the Southeast Management School in Athens, Ga. The award recognizes the exceptional contributions he has made to the class over the course of the three-year program and his outstanding leadership skills. Ballentine got his start in the credit union movement at the Carolinas Credit Union League, serving for 10 years in various roles for PLR Credit Union Accounting, where he provided back-office accounting services for several client credit unions. Following his time at the League, he went on to serve as controller for Caro Federal Credit Union ($132 million, Columbia, S.C.).

Natalie Sigmon, director of talent recruitment and retention for Blue Eagle Credit Union ($229 million, Roanoke, Va.), received the 2024 Tom McWilliams Service to SRCUS Award. The award, named in honor of the late Tom McWilliams, recognizes a student who exemplifies empathetic leadership, inclusiveness of others and appreciation for their perspectives, excellent communication and listening skills, and a commitment to service and willingness to participate. A recipient is determined following recommendations submitted by current SRCUS students and staff. Sigmon also accepted the award on June 21 during this year’s session of the Southeast Management School in Athens.

VENDORS

The Dallas, Texas-based financial advisory services firm ALM First hired Juan Arreola as director, hedging and hedge accounting. A Certified Public Accountant, Arreola brings more than 15 years of experience, having previously served as senior manager, risk advisory for hedge trackers and as Chatham Financial’s IFRS Hedge Accounting leader for North America, Latin America, Asia and Oceania. He has also held various financial accounting positions at EY and Morgan Stanley, and spent time in corporate finance. Arreola earned his master of accountancy and financial management from the University of San Diego.

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