Across the nation this past week, six credit unions revealed news of new hires, promotions, board appointments and executive accolades. Plus, OM Financial Group promoted an executive and the CUNA Mutual Foundation announced a retirement.
WEST
The $250 million Yolo Federal Credit Union in Woodland, Calif., promoted longtime Yolo employee Tina Slaugh to Winters branch manager. Previously, Slaugh managed the Davis and Woodland Main Street branches. The Winters branch will be the credit union’s fifth branch, located at 168 East Grant Avenue. This branch is slated to open at the beginning of November, with a grand opening/ribbon cutting celebration on Nov. 14, 2016 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
MIDWEST
The $571 million Mazuma Credit Union in Overland Park, Kan., hired Brad Rein as chief information officer. Rein comes to his new role with a wealth of knowledge and has more than 20 years of leadership experience. He recently concluded an engagement with Clinical Reference Laboratory as the executive director and strategic advisor to the toxicology laboratory SBU.
SOUTH
The $1 billion Firstmark Credit Union San Antonio, Texas hired Tamika Baker as chief risk officer. Baker’s primary responsibility includes providing oversight and direct execution of the credit union’s enterprise risk management program. Baker joins the executive team after spending 14 years in progressive leadership roles within the financial services industry. Most recently, she held the position of vice president and control officer with JPMorgan Chase. In that role, she served as the lead on specific regulatory programs that impacted each line of business and function within the bank.
The $645 million Avadian Credit Union in Birmingham, Ala., hired two employees. Jeremy Braman was hired as the Madison branch manager. Braman comes to Avadian with more than 16 years of experience in the banking industry. Previous roles include assistant branch manager for the $4.4 billion Redstone Federal Credit Union and director of sales and marketing at STS Group, an Alabama provider of bank security equipment and ATMs. As branch manager, Braman will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the branch.
Denise Taylor was hired as the corporate project manager. Taylor comes to Avadian with more than 26 years of experience in the credit union industry. Her previous roles dealt with the data processing side of the business and included conversions, system upgrades, account management, sales, contract negotiations and vendor reviews of products and services. As corporate project manager, Taylor will work closely with all departments of the credit union to make sure the scope and direction of each project is on schedule and has the appropriate support.
The $756 million Point Breeze Credit Union in Hunt Valley, Md., appointed Jean B. Lewis to its board of directors. Lewis has been a member of the credit union for more than 40 years and will support governing functions. Lewis served more than 33 years at Lucent Technologies and retired with the company in Project and Customer Service Management. In addition to her role on the credit union’s board, Lewis is an active volunteer with several civic and community service organizations.
Bill Raker, president/CEO of the $1 billion Firefly Credit Union in Burnsville, Minn., was inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame. Inductees are nominated by the CUES board of directors for lifetime achievement and contributions to the credit union movement. Throughout Raker’s 15 years as Firefly’s president/CEO, his guidance and achievements have not gone unnoticed as he has been awarded with national credit union recognitions for lending, marketing and community service.
VENDORS
OM Financial Group of Cranston, R.I., promoted Joyce M. Falls to director of administration. OM Financial is a subsidiary of Commonwealth Financial Group, a member of the MassMutual Financial Group. In her new position, Falls will oversee the processing of all new business generated by the executive benefits programs OM Financial offers credit unions. Falls has nearly 25 years of financial services experience, including more than 15 working with credit unions. She has been with OM Financial since its inception in 2000 and has been a key contributor to its growth into one of the leading executive benefits companies in the industry.
CUSOS
Steve Goldberg, executive director of the CUNA Mutual Foundation and a highly visible and passionate supporter of credit unions nationwide and corporate philanthropy in the Madison, Wis., area, will retire at year-end, capping a 48-year career at the credit union insurer. Under Goldberg’s leadership since 2003, CUNA Mutual Group and its employees have established a well-deserved community relations reputation as one of the top corporate donors in Dane County and a leader in major fundraising campaigns, notably United Way, JDRF, Susan G. Komen and March of Dimes.
Please send your People news items to Tahira Hayes at thayes@cutimes.com.
