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The $2.4 billion, Vancouver, Wash.-based Columbia Credit Union announced four new hires.

Al Iftiger was hired as vice president of home lending. Iftiger brings over two decades of experience in the mortgage industry and a wealth of knowledge in loan origination, servicing and operations.

Al Iftiger

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Alaire Hall was hired as a business lending officer. Hall brings 12 years of experience in the credit union industry and a strong background in relationship banking. She was recognized as a 2023 Credit Union Rockstar by Credit Union Magazine.

Alaire Hall

Scott Henderson was hired as vice president commercial relationship manager. Henderson brings over 34 years of experience in the banking industry across the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West, as well as deep expertise in commercial and real estate lending.

Scott Henderson

Dimitry Makhanov was hired onto the investments and insurance team as an investment advisor representative. Makhanov brings a background in holistic financial planning, investment management and retirement strategies. In his new role, he will provide fiduciary-based investment advice and comprehensive financial planning to Columbia CU members, while also leading educational seminars and collaborating with branch staff to deepen member relationships. Makhanov serves as Board president for Columbia River Mental Health Services.

Dimitry Makhanov

The $5.8 billion, Richland, Wash.-based Gesa Credit Union announced three new hires.

Enif Michael was hired as a mortgage market sales manager for Washington State’s Tri-Cities area. Michael brings 25 years of experience in the banking industry, including many years in management before transitioning to mortgage lending in 2020. He most recently served as a lender at HAPO Community Credit Union ($2.3 billion, Richland, Wash.).

Enif Michael

Tina Ferderer was hired as a mortgage market sales manager in Spokane, Wash. Ferderer brings nearly 20 years of banking experience, including a decade in mortgage lending, as well as extensive experience with construction loans and a variety of tailored home lending solutions. She most recently served at Washington Federal Bank.

Tina Ferderer

Dustin Lopez was hired as a mortgage market sales manager for the Boise, Idaho market. Lopez has worked in the banking industry since 2008, with close to 10 years dedicated to helping clients navigate the mortgage lending process. He most recently served at the $2.1 billion, Lewiston, Idaho-based Potlatch No 1 Federal Credit Union (P1FCU), where he specialized in residential construction loans, investment properties and self-employed borrowers.

Dustin Lopez

Chad Graves, president/CEO for the $9.9 billion, Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Ent Credit Union, was named to the Denver Business Journal’s Power Book class of 2025, a group of leaders recognized for driving meaningful change and shaping the future of Colorado’s economy. In April, Ent and the $9.7 billion, Apple Valley, Minn.-based Wings Credit Union announced plans for a merger of equals. Once finalized, the combined organization will operate under a Colorado state charter and continue as Wings Credit Union, with Graves retaining his role as CEO.

Chad Graves

CUSOS

Tyler Hudson

Synergent, the Maine Credit Union League’s financial technology and services CUSO, appointed Tyler Hudson as president, succeeding Randy Stolp. Hudson has 23 years of experience in the credit union industry, having first joined Synergent in 2005 as a programmer analyst. He previously worked on the front lines at a credit union in California and in a support role at Jack Henry’s Symitar division. At Synergent, he advanced through a series of leadership positions in technology and software delivery before briefly leaving to serve in a senior role at a credit union in New Hampshire. Since returning to Synergent in 2022, he has held executive roles including vice president of software delivery, chief information officer, COO, and most recently, EVP. In his new role, Hudson will lead Synergent’s continued evolution as a true partner to credit unions, expanding service capabilities, advancing innovation and fostering a culture rooted in collaboration, trust and purpose.

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.