This past week, nine credit unions beefed up their teams with new talent. In addition, one credit union mourned the loss of one of its own executives.
WEST
The $4.7 billion Ent Credit Union in Colorado Springs, Colo., promoted Mike Grady to service area manager. In his new role as one of Ent’s four area managers, he will oversee operations at seven service centers including Ent’s Falcon, Galley, Jetwing, Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base, Stetson Hills and Woodland Park locations. Grady has more than 18 years of experience at Ent, serving in roles of increasing responsibility.
MIDWEST
The $1 billion Firefly Credit Union in Burnsville, Minn., hired Heather Erickson as Brooklyn Park retail sales manager. In her new role, Erickson is responsible for overseeing the Brooklyn Park branch as well as creating member relationships and extending her support to all members and employees. Erickson has more 10 years of experience working in the financial industry and customer service field.
The $3 billion Veridian Credit Union based in Waterloo, Iowa hired Terry Williams to the position of mortgage lending originator. Williams, an Omaha resident, was previously the vice president of mortgage lending at GuaranteedRate.com. He has degrees in business administration and accounting from Northern State University.
The $1.9 billion Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union in St. Paul, Minn., tapped three employees for new leadership positions. Nic Peterson was named vice president of payment systems. Peterson, an 18-year employee of Affinity Plus and past director of card services, will oversee the member payment systems, including traditional means such as cash, checking, and credit and debit cards; established means gaining user acceptance like online and mobile banking; and fairly recent advancements like person-to-person transfers, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Android Pay.
Natalie Okonek was named consumer lending manager. Okonek will provide overall leadership of consumer lending products and processes. She will also be involved in the testing and implementing of a new consumer loan origination system and rolling out supportive functions for consumer lending to credit union employees. Okonek, based in St. Paul, has worked for Affinity Plus for six years and most recently served as member relations manager in Faribault.
Meggan Schwirtz was named assistant manager at Affinity Plus’ Faribault branch, and will begin her new role in March. Schwirtz has worked for Affinity Plus for five years, first as a member advisor II in Brainerd, Minn. In May 2015 she relocated to the Twin Cities and joined the vendor management team as a vendor management specialist. Most recently she assisted at the Nicollet branch in Minneapolis as interim branch manager.
SOUTH
The $2.4 billion Keesler Federal Credit Union in Biloxi, Miss., hired Daniel Kutch as SVP/CFO. Kutch spent the last 11 years at the $1 billion Clearview Federal Credit Union, most recently as CFO. During his time at Clearview, he was an integral part of the credit union’s long-term strategic business plan, successfully negotiated multiple mergers and managed an investment portfolio of more than $400 million.
The $186 million JetStream Federal Credit Union in Miami Lakes, Fla., announced Mayra Navas as the manager of the Puerto Rico Branch. Navas will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the branch, increasing deposits and membership, as well as expanding the Carolina branch consumer lending portfolio. Navas has more than 10 years of experience working in both credit unions and banks.
The $72 million Metro Medical Credit Union in Farmers Branch, Texas hired Sherman Roberson as vice president. His dynamic approach to management and leading successful teams will help Metro Medical continue its mission to provide secure, friendly, professional and competitive financial services to its members. Roberson brings more than 20 years of management experience in the financial services industry.
The $1.3 billion Credit Union of Texas in Dallas hired Keith Malbrue as chief information officer. Malbrue comes to CUTX after 16 years at the $1.9 billion Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, based in St. Paul, Minnesota. He most recently served as the chief information officer/chief administrative officer, but his tenure also included service as the COO and vice president of information technology.
The $180 million Mutual Savings Credit Union in Pelham, Ala.,named Kendall Speed president/CEO. Former chief executive Douglas Key will remain with Mutual Savings as SVP of strategic planning after seven years at the helm of the credit union. Speed has been with Mutual Savings for more than 15 years and previously served as CFO and EVP. He started his career with Mutual Savings in 2001 after working for another local company.
Kevin Walrath, SVP of risk at $3.1 billion Northwest Federal Credit Union in Herndon, Va., passed away on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2017. Walrath first joined the credit union movement serving as vice president of investment services for NASA Federal Credit Union in 2005. He was an armed services veteran and commissioned officer from West Point.
Please send your People news items to Tahira Hayes at thayes@cutimes.com.
