Desert Financial Credit Union just landed itself a serious financial heavyweight. The Arizona-based credit union has brought on Jamie Britton as its new Chief Financial Officer—a guy who’s spent more than a quarter-century mastering the art of not letting money slip through the cracks.
Britton’s jumping ship from First Foundation Bank, where he’s been steering the financial vessel as executive VP and CFO since August 2023. And by “steering,” we mean navigating some genuinely tricky waters—think complex balance sheet puzzles and the kind of regulatory hurdles that would make most people reach for the aspirin bottle.
“Desert Financial Credit Union’s tireless commitment to membership and giving back is an inspiring reminder of the important role credit unions can play in the communities we serve,” Britton said. “I look forward to joining the team and helping lead our organization through the years ahead as we build on 87 years of financial stability and success in serving Arizona.”
Translation? He’s excited to be part of an organization that actually gives a damn about its community.
A Resume That Speaks Volumes
Before his stint at First Foundation, Britton racked up some serious credentials at Texas Security Bank and Texas Capital Bank. We’re talking enterprise-wide leadership covering everything from strategic planning and forecasting to stress testing and investor communications—basically all the behind-the-scenes stuff that keeps a financial institution from becoming a cautionary tale.
His career highlights also include time at SunTrust Bank and Andersen Consulting, back when it was still called that instead of Accenture.
What sets Britton apart isn’t just his technical chops, though. He’s built a reputation for being a collaborative, data-driven leader who actually invests in his team. Think less corner-office tyrant, more mentor who believes in continuous learning and building people up.
The Credentials to Match
Britton isn’t just learning on the job, either. He holds a Master of Science in quantitative and computational finance from Georgia Tech and a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Arizona State University. Oh, and he’s also a CFA® charterholder, which is basically the financial world’s way of saying “this person really knows their stuff.”
Perfect Timing for Desert Financial
The timing of Britton’s arrival couldn’t be better. Desert Financial is in full growth mode, scaling operations and building out its financial foundation to serve members across Arizona. It’s one of those pivotal moments where having the right person in the CFO seat can make all the difference.
“Jamie brings a rare combination of technical expertise, strategic vision and steady leadership at a critical time in our growth,” said Jeff Meshey, Desert Financial’s president and CEO. “His experience navigating complex financial environments and building strong organizations will be invaluable as we continue to expand our impact across Arizona. Just as importantly, Jamie is a collaborative leader who invests in people, making him a natural fit for our culture and long-term vision.”
In other words, Desert Financial didn’t just hire a CFO—they found someone who gets both the numbers and the people. And after 87 years of serving Arizona, that’s exactly the kind of leadership that’ll help them tackle the next chapter.