Big things are happening at Financial Center, and the credit union is making sure it has the right people in the right seats to handle what’s coming next.
Think of it like assembling your Avengers squad before the real battle begins—except instead of fighting Thanos, they’re tackling growth, risk management, and keeping members’ financial lives on track.
The credit union just rolled out a revamped executive leadership structure that promotes key players and reshuffles responsibilities across the board. Translation? They’re getting their house in order before hitting some major milestones, including that big $1 billion asset mark on the horizon.
“Growth requires us to continually evaluate how we’re organized and ensure we have the right leaders in the right roles,” said Ning Duong, Chief Executive Officer. “I’m incredibly proud of the leaders who have stepped into new opportunities and the confidence they have demonstrated throughout this process. These changes position us to move faster, make better decisions, and continue delivering exceptional value to our members.”
Who’s Doing What Now?
Here’s the rundown on the leadership shuffle:
Ryan Cook, SVP, Chief Financial Officer, just got a significantly bigger plate. Beyond his existing money management duties, Cook now oversees Facilities, Member Solutions (that’s collections, for those keeping score), and Support Offices. He’s also taking the reins on merger and acquisition strategy and future branch expansion plans. Basically, if it involves Financial Center’s footprint or financial strategy, Cook’s your guy.
Billy Wells earned a promotion to SVP, Chief Growth Officer—a newly expanded role that puts all the growth-driving functions under one roof. We’re talking Branches, the Contact Center, Business Services, Consumer and Commercial Lending, Business Development, Community Impact, Marketing, and Wealth Management. That’s a lot of hats, but the idea is smart: align growth initiatives with member experience so nothing falls through the cracks.
Aaron Alsup also got bumped up to SVP, Chief Risk Officer. He’ll continue leading Enterprise Risk Management, BSA/AML & Fraud, and Compliance—critical stuff as Financial Center approaches that billion-dollar milestone. More assets mean more complexity, and someone needs to make sure all the i’s are dotted and t’s are crossed from a regulatory standpoint.
Building the Bench
The changes aren’t just about moving names around an org chart. Financial Center is intentionally creating opportunities for internal talent to step up and take on meatier leadership responsibilities. It’s the kind of move that signals a culture invested in growing its own people, not just bringing in outsiders when things get serious.
The credit union is also actively hunting for a Chief Information Officer to lead Information Technology, Information Security, Project Management, and Payments. This role will be crucial for modernizing tech infrastructure and making sure Financial Center’s digital experience keeps pace with member expectations. Because let’s face it—nobody wants to bank like it’s 1999.
The Bottom Line
“At the end of the day, our first responsibility is to protect our members’ hard-earned money and the trust they place in us,” Duong explained. “As we approach a major asset milestone, we have a responsibility to ensure our leadership structure and capabilities grow with us. I’m confident this team gives us the leadership we need to ensure long-term financial strength, manage risk responsibly, serve our members well and execute on an ambitious vision for Financial Center’s future.”
The bigger picture here? Financial Center is doing what smart organizations do when they’re gearing up for growth: they’re making sure the foundation is rock-solid before they build the next floor. With clear accountability, stronger alignment across departments, and proven leaders in expanded roles, the credit union is setting itself up to serve more members while staying true to its mission of creating healthier financial lives in the communities it calls home.