Three credit unions, including Royal Credit Union and Inspire Federal Credit Union, announced promotions within their organizations, and LAFCU announced the retirement of three of its longtime board members.
New Hires:
- Brenda Fischer has joined Inspire Federal Credit Union as Vice President of Marketing. Fischer brings extensive experience in brand development, digital strategy, and member‑focused communications. In her role, she will lead all marketing functions, including brand strategy, community engagement, and integrated communications, with a focus on expanding the credit union’s visibility and enhancing member relationships throughout its service area.
- People’s Credit Union has announced the appointment of Justin Lombardo as Head of Portsmouth Member Operations, reporting to Lori Marshall, Head of Portsmouth Branch. In this role, Mr. Lombardo will manage the day-to-day operational activities and staff of the branch to ensure proper alignment with Credit Union goals and service standards, enhancing both the financial growth and experience of People’s members.
- Consumers Credit Union is pleased to announce the addition of Jeff Potter as mortgage sales manager, who brings nearly three decades of mortgage industry experience, proven leadership and a deep community commitment to the organization. In his new role, Potter will focus on driving mortgage production while recruiting and developing top lending talent. His long-term vision includes building a team and growing mortgage production, all while maintaining a member-first approach rooted in service and trust.
Recognitions:
- Unitus Community Credit Union is proud to announce that Nicole Davison León, newly elected Chair of the Unitus Board of Directors and Executive Director of the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber, has been named a 2026 “40 Under 40” honoree by the Portland Business Journal. The annual awards recognize emerging leaders shaping the future of business, nonprofits, and the public sector across the region.
- Maria Murphy, Assistant Vice President of Commercial Operations for American Heritage Credit Union (“American Heritage”), has been awarded the Financial Award of Excellence from the Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual DisAbility Services. Murphy’s award comes from her commitment to American Heritage’s partnership with Special People In the Northeast (“SPIN”). Through Murphy’s leadership role within the Commercial Operations team, she was able to oversee the opening of 165 organizational representative payee accounts, in addition to the order of debit cards and checks for those accounts. She worked closely alongside Katie Frank, Commercial Operations Supervisor, to execute this task. Murphy’s work was also aided by American Heritage’s Business Development team (who oversee the full relationship with SPIN), as well as the Branch Operations, Information Systems, and Commercial Lending departments.
Retirements:
- LAFCU employees gave a standing ovation to retiring members of its board of directors during the credit union’s recent All Staff Day, celebrating more than a century of combined leadership that helped guide LAFCU from its automotive-industry roots to the full-service, $1.1 billion financial institution it is today. Mel Place, Tommie G. Culpepper and Jere Glen Auvenshine devoted a combined 106 years to LAFCU and to advancing the credit union movement, ensuring members remained at the center of every decision. Each was honored with a framed certificate, which was signed by LAFCU employees.
Promotions:
- Royal Credit Union (Royal) has announced Gaozoua Xiong as Business Loan Representative Manager. In this role, Xiong will lead the Business Loan Representative team, focusing on processes, compliance, and risk management. She will work closely with leadership to ensure business loan due diligence and documentation are carried out efficiently and accurately.
- Royal Credit Union (Royal) announces Lisa Babineau as Branch Manager of its River Falls office. In this role, Babineau will lead daily branch operations while developing and motivating her team to deliver outstanding service to Members and the community.
- Inspire Federal Credit Union has announced that Brian Phillips has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. Phillips, who has spent more than a decade with Inspire Federal Credit Union, most recently served as Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer. As Chief Revenue Officer, he will continue to oversee lending while expanding his responsibilities to support growth across deposits, marketing collaboration, business development, and strategic partnerships.
- Jamie Jones serves as branch manager of LAFCU’s contact center, following her advancement from assistant branch manager. In this role, Jones oversees the day-to-day operations of LAFCU’s contact center, which serves as a primary access point for members seeking assistance with accounts, transactions, loans, and digital banking. She is responsible for coaching and developing frontline staff, managing call volume and staffing levels, improving response times, and ensuring consistent service quality across member interactions. Her leadership focuses on balancing operational efficiency with a strong member experience, while reinforcing service standards, transparency, and clear communication within the team.