New CFOs Hired at First Entertainment CU & Credit Union of Ohio

WEST

The $2.1 billion, Hollywood, Calif.-based First Entertainment Credit Union hired Kitty Payne as SVP, CFO. In her new role, Payne will be instrumental in collaborating with senior leadership to drive growth and oversee all aspects of the credit union’s financial strategy, management and performance, while guiding the organization toward its long-term objectives. She brings more than 25 years of experience in finance across sectors, including time with one of the “Big Four” and cooperatively, publicly and privately owned companies. Most recently, Payne served as SVP, controller for Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco.

EAST

The $7.3 million, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based Hudson Valley Credit Union announced Alice Rae Kurman-Kostrubal and Robyn Williams were both promoted to vice president, senior region manager. In their new roles, they will be responsible for ensuring a positive employee and member experience, driving sales and business development, and optimizing operations across all branches in their regions. They have a combined 24 years of experience.

Kurman-Kostrubal joined HVCU in 2011 and most recently served as vice president/director of consumer lending operations. She serves on the Family Services of Poughkeepsie Development Committee as well as the Walden United Methodist Church as a trustee. She is also a graduate of Leadership Orange as well as the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Dutchess and Executive Leadership professional development programs.

Williams joined HVCU in 2013 and currently manages eight branches across New York’s Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess Counties while overseeing the development of her teams, driving sales and market growth and enhancing member relations. She received an Athena Award in 2021 and is also a graduate of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Dutchess and Executive Leadership development programs. At The Chamber Foundation, Williams serves as Board Chair, co-chair of the Athena Committee and a member on the Youth Development and Executive Leadership Committees. She also serves as a director on the Women’s Enterprise Development Center’s Board of Directors and Treasurer at Mt. Carmel Church. She earned an MBA from Mount Saint Mary College.

The $1.6 billion, Pittsfield, Mass.-based Greylock Federal Credit Union promoted Becki Beron to assistant vice president, market manager. In her new role, Beron will coordinate and supervise the ongoing activities of a region that includes Greylock’s Kellogg Street, Allendale and Lanesborough branch locations. She will also supervise and serve the branch managers and assistant branch managers within her market and advise Greylock’s senior leaders on strategies to better support the company’s mission and goals within the region. Beron began her career with Greylock as a part-time teller at the Lee branch. She is a Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor and has served as secretary of the Family Selection Committee and Women’s Build Committee with Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity. She was also a long-time volunteer with Junior League of Berkshire County, having served as president, treasurer, vice president community programs and vice president membership chair. Beron has also received several awards, including the Junior League Volunteer Extraordinaire Award and Greylock’s first ever Good Neighbor Award for Community Involvement in 2017; the credit union’s highest honor, the Bees Prendergast Award, in 2018; and a 40 under Forty Award from Berkshire Community College in 2019.

MIDWEST

The $5.3 billion, Eau Claire, Wis.-based Royal Credit Union announced two new hires.

Oyeronke “Ronke” Olatoye was hired as mortgage closing supervisor at Lake Area Mortgage- A Division of Royal Credit Union. In her new role, Olatoye is responsible for leading the Lake Area Mortgage Closing and Post-Closing teams to ensure that mortgages are closed in accordance with state and federal guidelines while supporting organizational objectives and goals. She brings over a decade of experience in the mortgage industry, including roles at Wells Fargo and US Bank. She also holds a master of arts in management information systems and a master of engineering in cybersecurity policy and compliance.

Michael Geissler was hired as vice president – commercial loan officer in White Bear Lake, Minn. In his new role, Geissler will be responsible for developing and managing a complex portfolio of commercial and commercial real estate loans and deposits while building new and existing member relationships. He brings over 20 years of experience in commercial lending as well as a specialization in commercial construction projects throughout the Minneapolis Metro area. Geissler also attended UW-Madison’s Graduate School of Banking.

The $197 million, Hilliard, Ohio-based Credit Union of Ohio hired Ashley Cassidy into the newly-created position of CFO. The new role was created in preparation for the retirement of current Senior Vice President of Finance Karen Rose in July 2025. Cassidy began her career at Blue and Co., LLC, a full-service accounting and consulting firm, where she gained her Certified Public Account certification and advanced from serving as an intern to becoming senior manager over nearly two decades.

The $1.7 billion, Warren, Ohio-based 7 17 Credit Union hired Dorian Smith as SVP of business development. In his new role, he will be leading efforts to cultivate relationships in the community that will lead to new workplace partnerships and membership growth. Most recently, Smith was the owner and principal of business development and strategy consulting firm MarLee Strategies. He previously served as SVP of business development for the $4.8 billion American Heritage Credit Union in Philadelphia.

The $2.6 billion, Muskego, Wis.-based Corporate Central Credit Union hired Pete Paulson SVP/COO. In his new role, Paulson will oversee key operations that align with Corporate Central’s strategic direction and initiatives, driving the credit union’s mission forward. Paulson will also lead the Enterprise Risk Management, Compliance and Human Resources departments, ensuring their success in meeting organizational goals; oversee exam and audit activities in compliance with all applicable regulations and policies; develop and implement contingency, incident response and operational resiliency plans, ensuring Corporate Central’s long-term operational stability; and foster an “employer of choice” culture by mentoring, managing and developing talent while coordinating interdepartmental processes focused on risk management, talent acquisition and organizational efficiency. Paulson began his credit union industry career as a college student and has since led a CUSO and philanthropic organization; served on boards for the Illinois Credit Union League, Envisant and Corporate Central; and served on the Illinois Board of Credit Union Advisors. He holds the Certified Chief Executive designation, is a Credit Union Development Educator and holds an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago.

CUSOS

Rhyze Solutions, a capital markets CUSO owned in partnership with Everwise Credit Union ($5.1 billion, South Bend, Ind.), Allied Solutions and Vantage West Credit Union ($3.1 billion, Tucson, Ariz.), hired Bjorn Peterson as managing director of its newest asset class, residential real estate. The announcement came in tandem with the company’s plans to launch a suite of residential loan and liquidity solutions for its network of credit union partners. Rhyze is bringing these solutions to the network with a six-pillar focus: Multi-asset class, end-to-end, modular, accredited and federated, investment grade and credit union native. With an existing suite of commercial real estate solutions, Rhyze has tapped Peterson to build and oversee its residential sector. Peterson most recently spent six years as a builder and senior executive of Symmetry Lending alongside several other Rhyze executives. Before that, he spent 18 years at TCF Bank.

LEAGUES

GoWest Credit Union Association hired Madlynn Schreibvogel into the newly-created position of vice president of public relations. In her new role, she will champion the power and value of credit unions across Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming, amplify the association’s public presence and further efforts to educate consumers about their better banking options. Schreibvogel brings experience in public relations and public service, having most recently served the state of Colorado in various communications and advisory roles. She also served as director of reputation management for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

VENDORS

Strategic Resource Management (SRM), a Memphis, Tenn.-based advisory firm serving banks and credit unions, appointed Mary McDuffie, former president/CEO for the $180.8 billion, Vienna, Va.-based Navy Federal Credit Union, to its International Advisory Board. McDuffie spent over two decades at Navy Federal, serving as COO prior to being appointed president/CEO. She also held various senior leadership roles within the organization, including in marketing, lending, and digital and voice channels. SRM’s 13 International Advisory Board members provide strategic guidance and perspective across SRM’s operating model and services. Members also help SRM foster strategic global partnerships and alliances.

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