Credit Unions Announce New Hires and WOCCU Presents Awards at World Credit Union Conference

A few credit unions including Robins Financial Credit Union and People’s Credit Union announced new hires to their teams, and the World Council of Credit Unions presented awards for digital growth and distinguished service to credit union organizations and individuals at its Annual General Meeting held during this year’s World Credit Union Conference.

New Hires

• First Community Trust, N.A. (FCT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sheldon Reynolds as its new Executive Vice President, Managing Director. Reynolds will oversee and lead the growth of FCT’s institutional division, including selling, managing and retaining relationships with financial institutions and clients, as well as driving new market expansion.

• Robins Financial Credit Union is pleased to announce the appointment of Angela Applegate to the position of Director of Audit. In her new role, Applegate will oversee the credit union’s audit functions, focusing on maintaining the highest standards of integrity and accountability. She will be responsible for leading the internal audit team, conducting comprehensive reviews of financial operations, and collaborating with senior leadership to ensure the continued success and growth of Robins Financial Credit Union.

• People's Credit Union announced the appointment of Suzana Carey as Head of Finance. Reporting to the Head of Finance and Risk, Ms. Carey will plan, organize, and direct the administration of the Finance Department, including such functions as regulatory reporting, budget preparation, liquidity management, and development of internal controls and procedures.

• Reliant Credit Union is pleased to announce the hiring of Nicholas Blaszak as Business Lending Underwriter. Mr. Blaszak previously served as an Indirect Underwriter at Five Star Bank. In his new position, Mr. Blaszak will analyze and underwrite business loan requests, ensuring they are in compliance with Reliant’s guidelines, policies and procedures.

Recognitions

• World Council of Credit Unions’ (WOCCU) Board of Directors on Monday presented annual awards for digital growth and distinguished service to credit union organizations and individuals from Brazil, Indonesia and Ireland at its Annual General Meeting held during the 2024 World Credit Union Conference.

  • 2024 Digital Growth Awards went to Pusat Koperasi Credit Union Indonesia (PUSKOPCUINA) and SICOOB (Brazil) for implementing digital solutions that promote financial inclusion, innovation and scalability.

  • WOCCU presented Timothy “Ted” O’Sullivan (Ireland) and Arnaldo Jardim (Brazil) with 2024 Distinguished Service Awards at the AGM.

Promotions

• Piedmont Advantage Credit Union (PACU) announces the promotion of Candice Champe to the Vice President of Innovation. In this newly-created position, Champe becomes an integral part of PACU's senior leadership team to further PACU's strategic efforts to advance its unique blend of personalized service with self-service digital offerings.

• On Tap Credit Union is excited to announce two significant promotions within the executive team. Daisy Romo has been promoted to the prestigious position of Executive Vice President, and Tony Nieto has been elevated from Vice President of Lending to Chief Lending Officer.

Appointments

• WOCCU announced Charity Abraham (Ghana) and Laurensius Tony (Indonesia) as its 2024 Fellows, who will serve as observers to the Board of Directors through the July 2025 meeting. Abraham and Tony were selected from a pool of 20 applicants from 12 countries. They will attend and participate in three WOCCU Board meetings over a one-year period, beginning in fall of 2024.

• The Biggs Museum of American Art is thrilled to announce the appointment of Dr. Wilma Mishoe as the new President of the Board of Trustees. Dr. Mishoe transitions into this role after serving as Vice President, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to the museum. Alongside Dr. Mishoe, three distinguished new trustees, Andre Swygert, Daniel Thompson, and Janell Upton, have joined the Board, each bringing unique expertise and leadership to the organization.

  • Dr. Wilma Mishoe
    Dr. Wilma Mishoe is a trailblazer in higher education, having made history as the first and only female President of Delaware State University. With a robust background in educational administration, Dr. Mishoe's leadership roles have included serving as the first female Chairperson of the University's Board of Trustees, the first African American female to chair the Capital School District Board of Education, and the first African American Female to chair the State's Public Integrity Commission. Her career spans over three decades, with significant contributions at Delaware Technical & Community College and Wilmington College. Her accolades include induction into the Delaware State Hall of Fame of Delaware Women and the Delaware State University Hall of Fame. Dr. Mishoe continues to serve on numerous local and state boards, embodying a lifelong commitment to community service and activism.

  • Andre Swygert
    Andre Swygert is a retired business development professional with a distinguished career in the aerospace and defense sectors. As Director of Proposal Development for BAE Systems, Andre excelled in managing collaborative efforts to capture new business opportunities. He also co-owned an art gallery in Miami, specializing in antique prints and custom framing. Now an author on aviation subjects, Andre contributes to Air & Space Smithsonian magazine and other outlets. He is also involved with the John H. Porter Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., working to preserve the history of black Army Air Force units during World War II.

  • Daniel Thompson
    Daniel Thompson is a Senior Vice President and Private Client Advisor with Bank of America Private Bank in Wilmington, Delaware. With over 25 years of experience, Dan specializes in wealth management for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families. He has a proven track record in investment management, trust and estate planning, and philanthropic guidance. Dan's extensive career includes leadership roles at Barclays and Morgan Stanley. He also serves on the board of trustees for The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation and has been actively involved with Breakthrough Collaborative and the Barnes Foundation. Dan resides in Greenville, Delaware, with his wife and two daughters.

  • Janell Upton
    Janell Upton brings over 30 years of diverse financial industry experience to the Board, with a focus on human resources, operational excellence, and superior service delivery. As President/CEO of Dover Federal Credit Union, Janell has demonstrated exceptional leadership in rebranding efforts, modernizing lending practices, and fostering a culture of compliance. Her previous roles include Executive Vice President at Educational Federal Credit Union and Senior Vice President at Alaska USA Federal Credit Union. Janell's strategic vision and ability to build high-performing teams have been instrumental in achieving organizational success across multiple financial institutions. Janell serves on the Board of the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce (CDCC) and resides in Dover, DE.