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WEST
The $1.3 billion, Glendale, Ariz.-based Credit Union West hired John Faries as vice president of finance and accounting operations. Faries brings more than 20 years of industry service, as well as extensive asset liability management (ALM) expertise and balance sheet management experience. He previously served as CFO for Pivot Lending Group, and as president/CEO of Columbine Federal Credit Union ($64 million, Centennial, Colo.). Faries has also served in various senior-level positions including CFO/SVP of finance for Aventa Credit Union ($274 million, Colorado Springs, Colo.) and vice president of finance and business development at Space Age Federal Credit Union ($169 million, Aurora, Colo.). He holds a master’s in accountancy from the University of Missouri, is a Certified Public Accountant and credit union development educator, and holds his Series 65 (registered investment advisor) license.
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The $6.4 billion, Pasadena, Calif.-based Wescom Financial hired Cristobel von Walstrom as vice president of payment systems. In her new role, she is responsible for overseeing the card services, electronic services and account services departments. von Walstrom brings over 25 years of experience in the financial services space, having previously served for over a decade as vice president at MasterCard, where she oversaw its credit and payment divisions. She has also led strategic payment initiatives for fintech and Fortune 1000 companies as a senior consultant with Retail Payments Global Consulting Group, as well as served as vice president of payment networks and strategic partnerships at Synchrony, a diversified financial services company.
MIDWEST
The $737 million, Sheboygan, Wis.-based Kohler Credit Union announced two promotions.
Deniss Makejenko was promoted to chief lending officer. In his new role, Makejenko will lead the credit union’s lending strategy and operations, with a strong commitment to meeting members’ financial needs and supporting them throughout every stage of life. Makejenko joined Kohler in 2021 as SVP of branch operations. Most recently, he served as chief retail officer. He holds an MBA from Marquette University and recently earned the designation of Certified Chief Executive.
The $14.7 billion, Caledonia, Mich.-based Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU) announced two new hires.
Leah Pauuwe was hired as a mortgage loan officer for the credit union’s West Michigan region. Pauuwe brings a background in financial coaching, tax preparation and housing advocacy. In her new role, she’ll use her experience and insight to help individuals and families alike navigate the mortgage process with confidence.
Donte Stamps was hired as a community relations mortgage loan officer for the credit union’s Southeast Michigan region. In his new role, Stamps will connect hopeful homebuyers in under-resourced communities with LMCU’s specialized mortgage programs, educating and empowering them to achieve homeownership, improve their credit, build generational wealth and create financial stability.
The $1.8 billion, Warren, Ohio-based 7 17 Credit Union appointed Harrison Hochman to its Board of Directors. Hochman is co-founder and CEO of Sparrow, a fintech platform he helped launch from his parents’ backyard at 20 years old. Sparrow’s newest product, Crest, is designed to help credit unions and banks deepen member wallet share by automating personalized, multi-product marketing journeys. He was recognized as one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in the Education category and named one of 11 young global leaders in STEM, environmental and societal sustainability by the Straubel Foundation. Hochman is a graduate of Stanford University with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Kevin Chiappetta, SVP/chief education and research officer for the $2.7 billion, Muskego, Wis.-based Corporate Central Credit Union, was re-elected as the Presidents Council Representative from the Midwestern US Subregion for the CFA Institute. Chiappetta was first elected to the council in 2023. In this role, Chiappetta will continue to collaborate with fellow council members to shape industry standards and contribute to meaningful conversations on policy, member engagement and professional development. He holds an MBA from Marquette University in Milwuakee, Wis., is a Chartered Financial Analyst charter holder, and has been an active member and volunteer for the CFA Institute for over 25 years. He was elected to the CFA Society Milwaukee Board in 2019 and served as president beginning in 2021.
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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.
