“Michele Plaza will carry on the culture and values established by Denise Barstow as president/CEO and will enhance the credit union’s success going forward,” Granite State Board Chair Deborah Vandeberghe said in a prepared statement. “Michele embraces innovative ideas, creates strategic solutions for the credit union and its members and is passionate about the credit union philosophy of people helping people. The board is confident that Michele will lead the credit union to future growth while preserving the high level of service that members and staff appreciate.”

Granite State’s 155 employees run nine locations and serve more than 52,000 members.

The $688 million Arizona Central Credit Union in Phoenix has appointed Brian Lee as president/CEO.

He succeeded Greg Harden who retired after 12 years of service at ACCU and more than 35 years of service in the credit union movement.

Lee began his credit union career as an NCUA examiner in 2010. Four years later, he joined the $242 million Landings Credit Union in Tempe as CFO and was named president/CEO in January 2020.

“Brian brings a wealth of experience and vision to lead Arizona Central Credit Union into its next chapter,” Arizona Central Board Treasurer Veronica Piotrowski said in prepared statement. “His commitment to the membership and community aligns perfectly with our mission to empower and strengthen our organization."

The credit union’s 169 employees operate 10 locations and serve more than 50,000 members.

Michael Brandt was appointed president/CEO of the $269 million Family Credit Union in Davenport, Iowa.

He replaced Jeri L. Poell, vice president of office operations, who served as interim CEO.

Brandt, who holds more than 24 years of experience in the credit union movement, joins Family from the $86.7 Empower Credit Union in West Allis, Wis., where he served as its president/CEO. Empower was merged into the $3.3 billion Educators Credit Union in Mt. Pleasant, Wis., on Jan. 1. Brandt also served as president/CEO of the $60.1 Evergreen Credit Union in Neenah, Wis.

"After a thorough and thoughtful search process, the board of directors is confident that Mike’s leadership, experience and deep understanding of the credit union philosophy make him the ideal person to lead the credit union into its next chapter and help us continue to improve the financial lives of Iowans," Board Vice Chair Steve Horan and search committee member said in a prepared statement.

The Family’s 65 employees run 10 locations and serve more than 20,000 members.

The board of directors for the $93.4 million County Schools Federal Credit Union in Ventura, Calif., named April Remnant as its president/CEO.

She succeeds Adam Lopez, the credit union’s board chair, who served as interim CEO.

Remnant holds more than 25 years of financial services executive experience. She is joining County Schools from the $1.4 billion Ventura County Credit Union, where she serves as vice president of payment strategies.

“April brings a strong track record of collaborative leadership, innovation in credit unions, and deep, long-standing ties to the Ventura community and local nonprofit organizations,” Lopez said in a prepared statement. “Her connection to the region and her commitment to member service and community impact uniquely qualify her to lead our credit union into its next chapter. We are confident she will honor our legacy while advancing our mission in meaningful and inspiring ways.”

County Schools’ 14 employees operate two locations, serving nearly 5,000 members.

The board of directors of the $18 million Novo Federal Credit Union in Norco, Calif., appointed George San Martin as president/CEO.

He succeeds Rosie Zarubick, who is retiring after 12 years of service.

San Martin brings more than 21 years of financial services experience to Novo, most recently serving as director of business development at the $115 million Thinkwise Federal Credit Union in San Bernardino, Calif. “George’s leadership, vision and deep commitment to the credit union movement make him the ideal leader to guide us into the future,” Novo Board Chair Rodger Moore said in a prepared statement. “His experience in driving growth, enhancing member experience and fostering innovation aligns perfectly with our mission. We look forward to his leadership as we continue to strengthen and expand the ways we serve our members and community.”

Novo’s five employees run two locations and serve more than 2,000 members.

Peter Strozniak can be reached at [email protected].