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WEST
Sierra Gutierrez Sierra Gutierrez, regional director for the $3.6 billion, Chatsworth, Calif.-based Premier America Credit Union, was honored by United Way of Ventura County with the Milton M. Teague Award for Outstanding Community Volunteerism at its Spirit Awards on Aug. 15. This award is presented to area individuals for outstanding community service and for upholding the legacy of the three individuals who founded United Way of Ventura County in 1945. Gutierrez is currently serving her fifth term on the Board of Directors of United Way of Ventura County. She joined Premier America in 2009 earned her MBA from California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo, Calif. Earlier this summer, Gutierrez was honored by the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce as one of the region's 40 Under Forty.
EAST
Kirista Howard Recommended For You
The Board of Directors for the $874 million ABNB Federal Credit Union in Chesapeake, Va., appointed Kirista Howard-Barton to serve as a member of the board, effective Aug. 20. Howard-Barton most recently served on ABNB's Supervisory Committee for two years. She previously worked for a credit union and other financial institutions over a four-year period, and was also an international flight attendant for Continental Airlines for almost 10 years. She is currently set to complete a degree in molecular diagnostic medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2025.
The $423 million, Rochester, N.H.-based Holy Rosary Credit Union announced EVP and COO Rosemary Shields is retiring in early September 2024 following 24 years of service. Shields began her career with HRCU in 2000 as a teller supervisor and quickly progressed through various branch administration and operations positions. She was named COO in 2013 and promoted to EVP in 2017. During her time with HRCU, Shields initiated and oversaw the credit union's Member Support Center, Compliance Department and several system conversions in addition to bringing on three new branches.
Rosemary Shields Shields also pioneered HRCU's Interactive Teller Machine network, played a key role in the establishment of its Christmas Caring Campaign and helped lead its Student Scholarship Program. She has also served on various boards and committees throughout her career including Rochester Court Diversion, Strafford YMCA, SES Finance Council, Gaffney Home Board, the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program and many credit union councils. Shields will be staying on as project manager for HRCU's new branch opening in Greenland, N.H., in October 2024.
SOUTH
The $4.1 billion UFCU in Austin, Texas hired Julie Harrison into the newly-created position of chief people officer. In her new role, Harrison will lead teams dedicated to talent, human resources, and diversity and inclusion. She brings over 20 years of experience in HR, including more than a decade in senior roles within the financial services sector. She earned an MBA from St. Mary's College of California, holds a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) designation and completed a Disruptive Innovation program through Harvard Business School Executive Education.
Julie Harrison The $299 million, West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Guardians Credit Union promoted Jose Abreu to business services manager. Abreu joined Guardians in 2014 as a teller at the John D. Deese Service Center West Palm Beach Branch. He was promoted to member relations specialist in 2017, followed by manager of the John D. Deese Service Center West Palm Beach Branch in 2019. In his new role, he will focus on enhancing the financial well-being of business members by offering tailored solutions that meet their unique needs.
Jose Abreu VENDORS
Kris Kovacs Kris Kovacs, founder and CEO of the Raleigh, N.C.-based digital banking services provider Constellation Digital Partners, was appointed to America's Credit Unions' Business Advocate Advisory Committee. Kovacs has over 30 years of experience in the credit union industry.
Please send your People news items to Natasha Chilingerian at [email protected].
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Natasha Chilingerian
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.
