CU Times 2024 Luminaries Awards Finalists: Credit Union Executives

His leadership is grounded in the organization’s simple, yet impactful, core values which his team established in 2022: We Care, We Listen, We Learn, We Solve, We Act. These values are embedded into the culture of Financial Center, shaping every decision the team makes.

Christine Blake: Cardinal Credit Union

During the past 12 months, Blake has undertaken several major initiatives for Cardinal, including entering into a partnership with The Cleveland Browns, digital transformation of the bank’s online banking platform, and starting several community initiatives including hosting a December holiday food drive for families in need and sponsoring the Legends Clinic for underprivileged children to learn how to play football.

Brian Sherrick: Ideal Credit Union

Sherrick’s visionary leadership has significantly shaped the success of Ideal Credit Union throughout every step of his journey. Over his 40 years at Ideal, he has built strong foundations in lending by starting the Business Lending area, managing Mortgage Lending and Servicing, creating a member friendly Collections area, growing a strong Indirect Lending network and introducing online loan applications and appointment setting.

Tonita Webb: Verity Credit Union

Webb’s leadership philosophy emphasizes holistic success, balancing internal team development with external achievements. She built out her leadership and marketing teams, emphasizing diversity and addressing the post-COVID, technology-forward way people interact with businesses while balancing the implications of increased fraud.

Caitlin Brama: Farm Credit Employees Federal Credit Union

Brama took over a small credit union that did not have many product offerings to members. She was able to bring the credit union up-to-date by moving the branch location and completely revamping the branch experience. The organization now has many of the products that much larger institutions can offer. The credit union can now compete with other financials in the industry and provide members the service they should expect from any financial institution.

Sarah Mosley: Telcoe Federal Credit Union

Mosley has guided Telcoe for the last 40-plus years and insured Telcoe is one of the most respected and financially secure credit unions in the south. Over the years, she has managed to hire and train a very successful team who have made successful careers in the credit union field.

Donald Carden: Coosa Pines Federal Credit Union

Under Carden’s leadership, the credit union has experienced exceptional growth in net loans. When he assumed the role of CEO, loans stood at $90,742,000. Today, they have surged to $224,268,000, a remarkable increase of over 247%.

April Tompkins: Explorers Credit Union

April’s mission is to live with integrity, be a good steward and never stop improving. She led Explorers Credit Union through a COVID net worth crunch, and stepped up as Chair of two industry boards in the same month. She led through a CEO transition and a large donation contribution project. She also started pursuing her MBA part time in 2024. All of this took place during her first five years as CEO, at the age of 37.

Jeffrey Kusler: Journey Federal Credit Union

Over the past 12 months, Jeffrey Kusler has led Journey Federal Credit Union through an unprecedented transformation, achieving a staggering 972.3% increase in net income, maintaining single-digit employee turnover and executing multiple strategic conversions. His innovative approach and exceptional leadership have set new industry benchmarks and significantly improved member outcomes.

CU Executive Leadership – CEO ($1 billion to $4 billion)

Eric Renaud: Pima Federal Credit Union

Renaud’s inspirational leadership is characterized by his commonly used phrase of encouragement, “Be Bold.” He empowers his team to think outside the box as they generate ideas to better serve the membership and the communities in which Pima operates. The management and staff have support and encouragement to make decisions to try new concepts without a fear of failing.

Timothy Anderson: United States Senate Federal Credit Union

Under Anderson’s stewardship in the past year, USSFCU abolished all overdraft and non-sufficient funds fees and introduced the Courtesy Pay Program. This initiative is designed to help members manage their finances more effectively, alleviating the burden of punitive fees and underscoring the credit union’s commitment to promoting financial stability and support within the community.

Steven Stapp: Unitus Community Credit Union

Since Stapp joined Unitus in 2016, membership has grown by 20%, from 86,000 to 105,000 members, and the credit union’s assets have surged from less than $1 billion to $1.7 billion. This growth reflects Stapp’s visionary leadership, which focuses on maintaining fiscal strength even during economic downturns.

Mark Burgess: Credit Union 1

Among other important things, Burgess is focused on improving member services for existing membership with a consideration for member growth goals. He spearheaded the implementation of a partnership with Greenlight, giving members free access to a benefit designed to empower Alaskan youth to learn about finances and begin earning, saving and spending responsibly.

Karen Harbin: Commonwealth Credit Union

Since taking the helm in 2012, Harbin has driven the credit union’s assets from $900 million to $2.2 billion, a testament to her strategic vision and effective management. Her innovative approach, marked by a willingness to take calculated risks and foster a culture of care and collaboration, has not only ensured the credit union’s growth but also created an environment where innovation thrives.

Ken Orgeron: Andrews Federal Credit Union

By prioritizing community service and tailoring solutions to meet local needs, Orgeron upholds Andrews FCU’s commitment to being “ready to serve, ready to solve.” His leadership style, characterized by visionary thinking and a proactive mindset, demonstrates a profound understanding of the credit union’s financial landscape and a dedication to improving members’ financial well-being.

Karen Roch: Credit Union West

Roch takes the credit union’s values of security, excellence, respect, vision, integrity, commitment and empowerment very seriously and makes sure that all employees have access to resources that will help them grow professionally and personally. One such example of Roch’s caring leadership style is that every employee has at least two hours each week dedicated to professional development.

Scott Arkills: Silver State Schools Credit Union

Under his tutelage, the credit union founded the nonprofit People Over Profit (POP) Foundation. The POP Foundation’s primary focus is supporting initiatives that prepare Nevada students and educators for long-term success and fulfilling lives through scholarships, the arts, financial literacy and financial wellness programs. To date, the POP Foundation has awarded over $1,100,000 in college scholarships to high school seniors throughout Nevada.

Jason Lee: REV Federal Credit Union

Developing products and services to meet members where they are is a significant part of Lee’s strategic vision. That’s why REV developed Start Smart, a first-time homebuyers’ program designed to specifically address the increasing challenges members face with housing affordability. This special program offers 100% financing without the extra cost of private mortgage insurance for first-time homebuyers.

Jennifer Oliver: Rize Credit Union

Oliver has a vision is to end poverty. And she is making it happen. There is no doubt that Oliver is a change maker that will impact the industry and humankind into the future. For instance, she has partnered with LA County for Youth in Foster Care and now those in foster care can open accounts at Rize to help create financial independence.

CU Executive Leadership – CEO ($4 billion & higher)

Hank Halter: Delta Community Credit Union

While economic conditions challenged the financial services industry throughout 2023, testing the leadership abilities of many executives, Halter was a stabilizing force for Delta Community. Under his direction, the leadership team maintained a conservative approach to balance sheet management and investment strategies, leading to solid and consistent results operationally and financially.

Larry Tobin: FAIRWINDS Credit Union

Tobin is the driving force behind the credit union’s relentless and passionate commitment to helping every member achieve financial freedom. FAIRWINDS wants members to be debt-free and live generous lives so they can help and serve others. It’s not the “normal” message you hear from a financial institution.

Donna Bland: Golden 1 Credit Union

This year marks 30 years for Bland at Golden 1, as she formerly served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Controller. Under her leadership as CEO, Golden 1 has thrived, growing to be one of the largest credit unions in the nation. She has led the organization in tripling its assets to over $20 billion and doubling its membership to more than 1.1 million members throughout California.

Greg Mitchell: First Tech Federal Credit Union

Mitchell leverages his executive position to nurture community-focused philanthropic efforts. He sees being a force of good as an essential behavior in his people-before-profits philosophy. Mitchell and First Tech maintain consistent relationships with charitable organizations where First Tech employees and members strive to eradicate obstacles and create a more equitable future for all.

Carla Cicero: Numerica Credit Union

The growth seen by Numerica didn’t happen by accident. From day one, Cicero’s strategically focused on building the credit union by uplifting its employees and the communities it serves. When making decisions that impact members or employees, this is her focus.

Dan Stoltz: Blaze Credit Union

During Stoltz’s fifteen-year tenure as CEO, assets have grown an astounding 917%, loans 660%, checking 518% and members 334%. At 9% median asset growth as of March 31, 2024, with the nationwide average at (0.8%), Blaze is one of the fastest growing credit unions in the nation.

Jeff Bentley: Northwest Federal Credit Union

As CEO of NWFCU, Bentley has been led the organization with a focus on innovative and dynamic growth strategies, product development, hiring, and the use of technology to revolutionize the credit union industry and improve outcomes for members. Central to these efforts is NWFCU’s strategic partnership with the Washington Commanders, which serves as a cornerstone of its growth and differentiation strategy.

Brad Calhoun: Teachers Federal Credit Union

Recognizing the pressing challenges many members face in the current financial climate, Calhoun has led Teachers to proactively seek innovative solutions to enhance members’ financial well-being. Through strategic fintech partnerships Teachers has empowered members with competitive personal, auto, home equity and solar lending options while diversifying the credit union’s balance sheet alongside organic loan growth.

CU Executive Leadership – C-Suite

Corey Cunningham: Energy Capital Credit Union

Cunningham mentors those around him, attempting to drive new efficiencies and promote growth. He advocates for credit unions and their employees through involvement with industry leagues and councils and is always willing to assist his peers. His involvement goes beyond the financial statements, as he seeks to impact performance throughout his credit union by collaborating with colleagues and bringing new initiatives to the table.

Darlene Gibson: OnPath Federal Credit Union

In a constantly evolving financial landscape, having an experienced, dedicated and innovative CFO is crucial to an organization’s success. Through Gibson’s unwavering commitment to the credit union’s communities, members and mission, she has positioned OnPath to better serve by increasing lendable dollars, expanding community support, growing services and products, and providing more financial resources to those in need.

Eric Bush: Members 1st Federal Credit Union

Bush plays an integral role in ensuring the financial well-being and growth of the credit union. He is constantly implementing financial plans, creating forecasts and strategies to achieve the credit union’s goal of becoming a $10 billion institution. Through his cost-saving initiatives and strategic investments, he helps the credit union be a good financial steward of its members’ dollars.

Kristin Robertucci: ORNL Federal Credit Union

Robertucci is the kind of CFO every CEO is looking for, a perfectly balanced combination of head and heart. In the five years Kristin has served as CFO of ORNL FCU, she has helped the organization grow 78% from $2.26 to $4.03 billion in assets while maintaining a net worth ratio over 11% and ROA of over 1%.

Ning Duong: Credit Union West

Among other things, Duong led the charge in launching the Voice of the Member Program, which allows her team to identify and act on valuable member feedback. The program collects comments through digital surveys, online reviews and in-person submissions, so members may share feedback wherever they may be, in real time.

Chad Meadows: VyStar Credit Union

Meadows is committed to pioneering new paths for VyStar’s members. His oversight includes the management of all products, both consumer and commercial, ensuring they meet diverse member needs. Under his leadership, VyStar has gone beyond traditional loan options to offer innovative products and campaigns.

The winners of the CU Times 2024 Luminaries Awards will be announced live during the dinner and gala held on Nov. 7 at Disney’s Yacht Club & Resort.