First Harvest Credit Union Board of Directors Names New Leadership

The Board of Directors of First Harvest Credit Union, the second largest credit union in New Jersey based on membership, announced today that Michael Dinneen will become its next President & CEO, effective July 1, 2023.

“At this pivotal time in the history of First Harvest Credit Union, we believe that Michael Dinneen is the right leader to propel the organization forward,” stated Loretta Winters, Chairwoman of the First Harvest board.

“I am honored to partner with the employees and Board of First Harvest Credit Union,” stated Dinneen.  “Together, we will embark on a journey that will provide our fellow members, our Sponsored Employee Groups, and our community partners with best-in-class financial solutions, financial education, financial inclusion and seamless delivery.”

Dinneen is joining First Harvest from $4.5 billion American Heritage Credit Union which operates in Pennslyvania and New Jersey, where he served as Senior Vice President of Marketing & Business Development. In this role, Dinneen led the credit union’s community outreach, marketing, and business development areas, including its $600 million Workplace Partnership Program.  A member of the credit union’s senior management team, he was also a member of its ALCO, Fair Lending, Steering and Risk Management Committees.

Previously, Dinneen was Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Investor Relations as well as Interim Chief Information Security Officer at $2.3 billion Sun National Bank which operated in New Jersey and New York. He also served as an Adjunct Instructor at Gwynedd Mercy University for 13 years.

Dinneen has been a member of the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council, as well as its Engagement Committee and has been active in a variety of credit union associations. He is a frequent speaker and panelist at credit union educational events and conferences.  

In 2022, Dinneen was recognized by South Jersey Biz in their Who’s Who in Banking feature, and he has been regularly featured as a credit union thought leader in multiple publications and podcasts, including Credit Union Times, Financial Brand, and South Jersey Biz.  Under Dinneen’s leadership, his teams have won multiple CUNA Diamond Awards and CrossStates Credit Union Association M.I.C. Awards for excellence in membership communication and workplace business development.  

Dinneen holds a BSJ from West Virginia University, an MBA from DeSales University, and an Executive Certificate in Digital Strategy and Marketing from Cornell University. He is a longtime resident of Southern New Jersey and serves on a variety of local non-profit organizations.

The credit union worked with executive search firm Shanley Search Partners LLC in finding the right person.