Latest Career Moves Include New Execs at Seattle CU & First Tech

WEST

Seattle Credit Union ($1.1 billion, Seattle) hired Michael Cruz as CFO. Cruz most recently served as SVP of risk management for Credit Union of Southern California ($3.5 billion, Anaheim, Calif.). He also brings a decade of regulatory service experience, which included holding various positions for the Federal Housing Finance Administration and the NCUA. Cruz holds an MBA in finance from Chapman University in Orange, Calif., and is a Chartered Financial Analyst, Certified in Risk & Information Systems Control and a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist.

The $16.9 billion, San Jose, Calif.-based First Tech Federal Credit Union hired Evelyn Prime-MacAdam as SVP of digital products. Prime-MacAdam brings over 20 years of experience leading product teams and digital strategy for top financial services and global media and technology companies, including AoL and Yahoo. Most recently, she served as vice president, head of digital product management at USAA. In her new role, Prime-MacAdam will be instrumental in developing the product roadmap, overseeing the digital products team and directing the member experience across channels.

Sierra Gutierrez, regional director for the $3.5 billion, Chatsworth, Calif.-based Premier America Credit Union, will be honored by the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce in Thousand Oaks, Calif., as one of the region’s 40 Under Forty Honorees this summer. Gutierrez joined the credit union’s team in 2009 and is currently responsible for multiple branches throughout the Conejo Valley as well as overseeing Premier America’s partnership with California State University, Northridge. She holds an MBA from California State University Channel Islands and is currently serving her fifth term on the Board of Directors of United Way of Ventura County.

The $1.2 billion, Glendale, Ariz.-based Credit Union West hired Susan Sirois as vice president of people. Sirois brings over 20 years of experience in human resources leadership. In her new role, she will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization’s people initiatives, including talent acquisition, people development, diversity and inclusion, as well as fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. She holds a master of science in accounting with a focus in business administration from Central Michigan University.

EAST

The $475 million, Orono, Maine-based University Credit Union promoted Bryan Doby to branch manager of its newly-opened Augusta location at 67 Sewall St. in Augusta, Maine. For the past two years, Doby has served UCU members as a senior member services representative in Portland, Maine. In his new role, Doby will lead the Augusta branch, overseeing daily operations, developing new business opportunities, and providing support to members and the community.

The $2.6 billion, Littleton, Mass.-based Workers Credit Union hired Peter Fredericks as a financial advisor in the credit union’s Retirement Planning and Investment Center. Fredericks brings 30 years of financial industry experience, having previously held positions at Putnam Investments, Lincoln Financial Securities and most recently, Edward Jones. In his new role, Fredericks helps members with their long-term investment and financial stability goals.

The $8.5 billion, Harrisburg, Pa.-based PSECU announced five promotions and one new hire.

Amanda Balmer was promoted to director, financial crimes risk officer. Balmer has served in the credit union’s Financial Crimes unit for the last decade, and in her new role, she will support new initiatives fighting against fraud for PSECU members.

Debbie Houser was promoted to director of the digital banking program. Houser has over 20 years of experience as a technology leader, and in her new role, she will influence broader digital strategy and integration across platforms, building processes and governance.

Emily Lingle was promoted to director of member experience. Lingle has been with PSECU for six years. In her new role, she will drive the development and execution of the member experience vision across all touchpoints, leveraging innovative strategies to deliver exceptional service.

Lindsay McCall was promoted to director of Total Rewards. McCall joined PSECU as an intern over 20 years ago. In her new role, she will ensure that the credit union’s compensation, benefits, retirement, leave, payroll and Human Resource Information System programs are compliant and maintain market competitiveness to attract and retain a talented workforce.

Rebecca Laughman was promoted to director, compliance officer. Laughman has served as the compliance officer at PSECU for six years. In her new role, she will set the direction for the overall design, implementation and management of PSECU’s compliance management program.

Kellen Johnson was hired as director of commercial banking services. Johnson brings over 20 years of experience in the banking industry. In his new role, he will be responsible for developing and expanding the credit union’s commercial real estate and small business practice, including but not limited to origination, structuring, underwriting, closing and servicing.

The $1.8 billion, Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.-based Hanscom Federal Credit Union announced two promotions.

Michael Feola was promoted to SVP, IT operations and infrastructure. Feola joined Hanscom in 2022 as assistant vice president, infrastructure and was named vice president, infrastructure and applications in 2023. He previously spent 16 years at Commonwealth Financial Network, most recently as manager, technology consulting.

Sean Kiley was promoted to SVP of risk management. Kiley has over 20 years of experience specializing in enterprise risk management, operational risk, credit risk, business continuity planning and lending. Prior to joining Hanscom in 2018 as vice president of risk management, he served as director of enterprise risk management at Cognition Financial. He previously worked at KeyBank as vice president of operational risk and control.

Cherry Dale, SVP of financial education for the $5.2 billion, North Chesterfield, Va.-based Virginia Credit Union, was appointed by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin to serve a four-year term on the Virginia Council on Women. The Virginia Council on Women is an advisory council in the Executive branch that brings together two dozen leaders from around the state to advise the Governor and General Assembly on matters pertaining to women and ways to improve their educational, professional, cultural and governmental status within the Commonwealth. Dale has been with Virginia CU for nearly two decades and is a certified teacher with a master’s degree in education.

MIDWEST

The $2.8 billion Corporate Central Credit Union in Muskego, Wis., promoted Cameron Krueger to website and design specialist. In his new role, Krueger will be responsible for creating visually appealing and user-friendly websites, ensuring seamless navigation and optimal user experience. In addition, he will collaborate with cross-functional teams, implement design principles, position products and stay abreast of industry trends to enhance the overall aesthetic and functionality of the websites. Krueger joined Corporate Central in June 2022 as a graphic design intern, and in December 2022, he was promoted to part-time marketing coordinator. In June 2023, Krueger transitioned to a full-time role as marketing coordinator. He participated in the CUNA Financial Counseling Certification Program and earned his Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor designation in October 2023.

The $13.9 billion Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU) in Caledonia, Mich., hired Mario León as community relations mortgage loan officer for the West Michigan area. León brings a background in housing equity, financial coaching and program development, and is bilingual in English and Spanish. In his new role, he will cultivate relationships with community leaders and local businesses to better connect more people with the resources they need to make it affordable for them to buy a home and prepare them for homeownership.

VENDORS

Baker Hill, a Carmel, Ind.-based provider of loan origination and risk management solutions for banks and credit unions, announced a new hire and a promotion.

Amy Drake was hired as SVP of account management. In her new position, Drake will play an influential role in driving business objectives for Baker Hill’s growing client base and expanding key client relationships. Prior to joining Baker Hill, she served as vice president, chief of staff and sales enablement at Fiserv. Before that, Drake served in various leadership positions within Integra Bank for more than a decade, including her most recent role at the bank of EVP and chief information officer.

Bryan Peckinpaugh was promoted to SVP of national sales. Peckinpaugh joined the Baker Hill team in 2020 as SVP of key accounts and has almost 20 years of sales management experience in banking and financial technology. In his new role, he will be responsible for leading the direct sales team, and will continue driving Baker Hill’s sales strategy with a focus on new client acquisition, revenue growth and market penetration.

Strum Platform, a Seattle-based provider of a customer data platform for financial institutions, hired Debbra Westergren as director of client strategies. Westergren brings over 25 years of financial services marketing technology experience, including data strategy leadership roles at Fiserv, Raddon, Equifax and Marquis. In her new role, she guides credit union and community bank clients to identify ideal member/customer and prospect target segments, develop data-driven marketing strategies to increase deposit and loan revenue, and help implement and track relationship growth performance to maximize sustainable results.

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