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WEST

Richard Lipari

Ventura County Credit Union ($1.4 billion, Ventura, Calif.) announced one new hire and one promotion.

Richard Lipari was hired as chief information officer. Lipari brings more than two decades of experience leading technology, operations and innovation within the credit union industry, having most recently served as vice president of operations and business intelligence and automation at Lighthouse Credit Union ($1.9 billion, Dover, N.H.). He previously held leadership roles at Nusenda Credit Union ($4.7 billion, Albuquerque, N.M.) and New Mexico Energy Federal Credit Union (now Nusenda), where he gained a deep expertise in core systems, e-services, automation, cybersecurity and business intelligence. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin’s Credit Union Executive Program and holds the designation of Certified Credit Union Executive from America’s Credit Unions. In his new role, Lipari will oversee VCCU’s information technology strategy, infrastructure and digital transformation initiatives, ensuring that technology continues to support the credit union’s mission of building better financial futures for its members.

Raja Bamrungpong

Raja Bamrungpong was promoted to vice president, technology. Bamrungpong most recently served as director of technology for VCCU and has extensive experience in both private and public sector senior IT leadership roles. Previously, he served as assistant chief information officer for the County of Ventura, as well as information technology manager for enterprise applications and interim chief information officer for the City of Oxnard, Calif. His career path also included time as a reserve police officer with the Oxnard Police Department. Bamrungpong earned his MBA from California Lutheran University with an emphasis in international business and is a Certified California County Senior Executive.

EAST

Brian Scalisi

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The $3.3 billion, Chelsea, Mass.-based Metro Credit Union hired Brian Scalisi as vice president commercial relationship manager. In his new role, Scalisi will be responsible for managing and expanding relationships with Metro’s commercial members, identifying new business opportunities and delivering tailored financial solutions to meet evolving member needs. He brings more than 20 years of experience in commercial banking, client services and strategic relationship management. Before joining Metro, Scalisi held leadership roles at Middlesex Savings Bank, Winchester Savings Bank and East Boston Savings Bank, where he led key initiatives in commercial lending and relationship management.

Brian Schools

Brian Schools, president/CEO of the $3.1 billion, Virginia Beach, Va.-based Chartway Credit Union, was selected by Virginia Business as an inaugural Virginia C-Suite Awards recipient. The Virginia C-Suite Awards celebrate top corporate executives who consistently demonstrate remarkable leadership skills, integrity, values, vision, commitment to excellence, company performance and community engagement. The honorees must have their primary work office in Virginia and hold a top corporate executive position (such as CEO, COO, CFO, etc.) or equivalent job (executive director, owner, etc.). Schools has more than 30 years of executive experience and has served as Chartway’s president/CEO since 2015. He currently sits on the boards of America’s Credit Unions, the Chartway Promise Foundation and Chartway Ventures. Schools was previously recognized as one of Virginia Business Magazine’s “100 People to Meet in 2025,” as an “Impact Maker” for his role as transition board chair for the recently formed America’s Credit Unions, and as part of the Inside Business 2025 Power List: 75 Power Players for a second consecutive year.

MIDWEST

Kristi Fox

The $5.4 billion, Eau Claire, Wis.-based Royal Credit Union announced two board appointments.

Kristi Fox was appointed as an associate board member. Fox brings 30 years of business transformation and HR leadership experience, as well as knowledge in risk management, cultural transformation and organizational change leadership. She currently serves as EVP, chief administrative officer at Securian Financial, where she oversees human resources strategy and operations for 3,000 employees. Her past board experience spans both private companies and nonprofits in the financial services, mental health and museum sectors.

Kris Peterson

Kris Petersen was appointed as an associate board member. Petersen is SVP at leadership consulting firm think2perform and brings 35 years of experience in the financial services industry, having held various executive leadership roles growing businesses for Fortune 500 companies. She has served on boards ranging from small nonprofits to a $1.5 billion organization, and has held leadership roles in finance, audit and investment committees. 

In their new advisory roles, Fox and Petersen will serve in a non-voting capacity, contributing their insights to Board and Committee discussions. They will influence key initiatives and strategies without requiring election, and as part of Royal’s succession planning efforts, they will gain a deep understanding of strategic priorities through active participation in governance activities. 

SOUTH

Bridgett Loafman

The $632 million, Jacksonville, Fla.-based RadiFi Credit Union promoted Bridgett Loafman to chief administration officer. In her new role, Loafman will lead strategic initiatives across human resources, organizational development, training and administrative operations – functions that are critical to sustaining RadiFi’s growth and commitment to a people-first culture and excellence in member care. She has over 40 years of experience in HR and management, having most recently served as chief HR officer at RadiFi (formerly JAX Federal Credit Union). Before joining RadiFi, Loafman held leadership positions at Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Coastline Federal Credit Union ($133 million, Jacksonville) and PSCU (now Velera).

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.