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WEST
The $1 billion Valley First Credit Union in Modesto, Calif., hired Patrick Brown as vice president commercial banking. Brown brings more than 10 years of industry experience, having spent the past seven years as a senior relationship manager for Bank of America and Tri Counties Bank. In those roles, he served business clients’ lending and deposit account needs throughout the Fresno, Calif., area. In his new role, Brown will support businesses through lending and deposit services throughout the Central Valley with his primary focus being the greater Fresno area. He holds an MBA from National University in San Diego.
EAST
The $2.4 billion, Littleton, Mass.-based Workers Credit Union announced three new hires.
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James Hirbour was hired as a mortgage loan officer. Hirbour brings 18 years of experience in the lending industry. Before joining Workers, he served as a loan officer for the $2.2 billion, Lowell, Mass.-based Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, according to his LinkedIn page. He is based in Littleton.
Jessica Fermin was hired as a mortgage loan officer. Fermin brings over nine years of experience in the home lending industry and is based in Dracut, Mass.
Nicholas Spinosa was hired as a mortgage loan officer. Spinosa brings experience in both real estate sales and residential lending. He most recently served as a mortgage loan officer for Jeanne D’Arc for five years, according to his LinkedIn page. He is based in Wakefield, Mass.
MIDWEST
The $483 million, O’Fallon, Mo.-based West Community Credit Union hired Nate Bryd as the assistant branch manager for the O’Fallon and Lake St. Louis, Mo., locations. In his new role, Byrd is responsible for assisting in the day-to-day operations of the branch office while providing leadership and guidance to staff. He brings over four years of banking experience and previously served as an assistant manager before joining West Community.
SOUTH
The $387 million, Winston Salem, N.C.-based Piedmont Advantage Credit Union promoted Robert Payne to chief technology officer. Payne has more than 30 years of experience in the technology field and has served as PACU’s SVP of information technology for over a decade. In his new role, he will align PACU’s technology infrastructure with its long-term strategic goals. His priorities include fortifying cybersecurity, recognizing that trust is the foundation of all member relationships; enhancing digital experiences to ensure members can bank anytime, anywhere seamlessly; investing in automation and AI to increase operational efficiency and allow staff to focus more on members’ financial well-being; and ensuring resilience and scalability to support PACU’s continued growth. Payne is certified in ISO/IEC 20000, the international standard for IT service management.
LEAGUES
TRADES
NACUSO announced six board appointments during its 2025 Reimagine Conference.
Neetu Bhagat was newly elected to the Board of Directors. Bhagat serves as CFO for the Irvine, Calif.-based technology and lending CUSO Origence.
Brandee Bickle was newly elected to the Board of Directors. Bickle serves as vice president, governmental affairs and executive projects for the $4.1 billion, Atlanta-based Georgia’s Own Credit Union.
Danielle Milner was newly elected to the Board of Directors. Milner serves as chief experience officer for the $1.5 billion, Plymouth, Mich.-based Community Financial Credit Union.
Mike Haggerty was re-elected to the Board of Directors. Haggerty serves as COO for the $5 billion, Lenexa, Kan.-based CommunityAmerica Credit Union.
Seth Brickman was re-elected to the Board of Directors. Brickman serves as president of the digital lending platform provider Ranqx.
Bill Beardsley was named chair of the Board of Directors. Beardsley serves as president of Michigan Business Connection.
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.
