The $5.5 billion, Linthicum, Md.-based SECU announced one board appointment and one committee appointment.

Dr. Dylan Baker was appointed to the Board of Directors. Baker brings a background as the associate vice president, finance and personnel at the University of Maryland, College Park, as well as a wealth of financial management expertise, specifically in higher education. In his role at the university, he manages a $1 billion annual unrestricted Academic Affairs portfolio and helps craft academic initiatives like the Terrapin Commitment program, which offers full tuition and fees to all Pell-eligible students seeking to attend the state’s flagship university. Baker holds degrees from Loyola University of Maryland, University of Oxford and the University of Maryland, College Park, including a PhD in public financial management.

MIDWEST

The $737 million, Sheboygan, Wis.-based Kohler Credit Union hired Kristina Wandschneider as SVP of marketing. In this executive role, Wandschneider will oversee all facets of marketing strategy, brand development and community partnerships for the credit union. She brings over 25 years of experience in the retail industry, many of which were spent in marketing and leadership roles at Kohl’s Corporation, as well as a background in strategic marketing and consumer-focused initiatives.

MSU Federal Credit Union ($8.2 billion, East Lansing, Mich.) promoted Benjamin Maxim to chief technology officer. In his new role, Maxim will lead the credit union’s technology, product, innovation and engineering strategies. Maxim began his career at MSUFCU in 2007 as a web developer and has held multiple leadership positions during his tenure, including launching and leading its innovation center, The Lab at MSUFCU, which explores emerging technologies and fintech solutions to enhance the member experience. In addition to his responsibilities at MSUFCU, Maxim serves as COO of Reseda Group, the CUSO powered by MSUFCU. In that role, he leads the organization’s overall strategy, vision and operations across technology, product, growth and sales. Maxim holds a professional certificate in innovation and entrepreneurship from Stanford University. He was named the 2024 Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates Professional of the Year and Finopotamus’ 2022 Tekkie Awards Technologist of the Year. In 2023, Maxim completed Filene Research Institute’s innovation leadership program, i3. He also serves as an advisor and board member for several fintech organizations.

SOUTH

The $6.1 billion, Oklahoma City, Okla.-based Tinker Federal Credit Union hired May Landon as SVP of real estate lending. Landon brings 34 years of experience in the financial services industry. In her new role, she uses her expertise in real estate and mortgage lending to propel the TFCU real estate division forward through innovation and increased efficiency. She also uses smart tools like Robotic Process Automation to boost key processes such as fraud detection and credit checks, allowing her team to focus more on strategic initiatives and member satisfaction. Landon has held executive leadership roles in branch operations and mortgage, business and real estate lending, as well as served as COO at a mortgage consulting firm. She has also served on executive boards for prominent trade organizations in Texas and Florida.

TRADES

LEAGUES

Harold Rowe, vice chair of the Board of Directors for the $372 million, Houston-based Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union, was named the 2025 Volunteer of the Year. Rowe was honored for his decades of dedicated service and exceptional leadership. Known affectionately as “Mr. Customer Service,” he has spent more than 20 years guiding Cy-Fair’s growth and advocating for credit unions at both the state and national levels. Beyond his board service, Harold’s commitment to his community includes volunteering with Meals on Wheels and AARP, and a career in education leadership.

Carmela McDermott, also with Cy-Fair, was named the 2025 Professional of the Year. McDermott was recognized for her more than 30 years of service to the credit union movement, and her role in fostering talent, uplifting workplace culture and deepening community engagement. She previously served at Credit Union Resources (now Cornerstone Resources). Her colleagues describe her as the heartbeat of the organization – a mentor, motivator and force for good.

Robert “Bob” Taylor was inducted posthumously into Cornerstone’s Hall of Fame, a lifetime achievement recognition created to honor individuals who reflect a history of service to credit unions. As one of the youngest league presidents in the country, Taylor led the Oklahoma Credit Union League with vision and innovation, helping introduce technologies like ATMs and establishing critical services for credit unions. His legacy includes founding multiple credit unions and advocating for legislative advancements that continue to benefit members today.

Please send your People news items to Natasha Chilingerian at [email protected].