Throughout February, credit unions based in the West, East, South and Midwest states named new CEOS.
The $4 billion Desert Schools Federal Credit Union announced that its president, Jeff Meshey, was also named as the CEO for the Phoenix, Ariz.-based cooperative.
He succeeded Susan Frank, the credit union’s former CEO, who retired at the end of January.
During his 22-year tenure at Desert Schools FCU, Meshey was instrumental in enhancing the credit union’s branch network and moving the organization’s service area from school employees to a full community charter.
Katherine Elser was appointed president/CEO of the $1.2 billion San Francisco Fire Credit Union.
She succeeded Marla Shepard, who served as interim president/CEO after President/CEO Darren Herrmann left the credit union in June 2016.
Elser was the chief financial officer and senior vice president for finance and administration for the $16.3 billion Boeing Employees Credit Union in Tukwila, Wash., where she was responsible for the overall strategic positioning of the credit union. She also was a member of the credit union’s executive management team.
Jean Giard was named president/CEO of the $476 million Vermont Federal Credit Union in Burlington.
She succeeded Bernie Isabelle who retired in November.
Giard joined VFCU in 2006 as its chief financial official and played an instrumental role in the credit union’s growth. Prior to joining VFCU, she was a partner with the accounting firm, R.F. Lavigne & Co., where she worked for more than 25 years.
Gary Ahlgren was named president/CEO of the $426 Sun Community Federal Credit Union in El Centro, Calif.
He previously served as executive vice president of the $883 million USE Credit Union in San Diego. At USE CU, he is credited with revamping its business model, reducing expenses, and increasing efficiencies that raised the organization’s capital position by more than 50%.
The $268 million East Idaho Credit Union in Idaho Falls appointed Dan Thurman as its president/CEO.
He replaced Brad Bauges.
Thurman joined East Idaho CU in 2002 and served as its chief lending officer and chief operating officer.
The $268 million San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union appointed Lisa Paul-Hill as president/CEO.
On April 1, she will replace San Diego Metropolitan CU President/CEO Stan Abrams who will retire after seven years of service.
Paul-Hill previously served as senior vice president for lending at the $1.2 billion North Island Financial Credit Union in San Diego and as senior vice president and vice president of consumer lending for the $3.1 billion Wescom Central Credit Union in Pasadena. She also worked as an executive vice president for the $7.8 billion San Diego County Credit Union.
Rafael Rondon was named CEO of the $147 million Xplore Federal Credit Union in New Orleans. La.
He previously worked at the $681 million Dade County Federal Credit Union in Sweetwater, Fla. where he was vice president of sales and operations and director of sales and operations. He also worked at Wells Fargo Bank for eight years.
