Indiana Credit Union League Presents Awards at Annual Convention and Purdue Federal Credit Union Announces Organizational Structure Changes
The Indiana Credit Union League presented several awards at its annual convention, and Purdue Federal Credit Union announced changes to its organizational structure at the chief level.
New Hires
PenAir Credit Union (PenAir) is excited to announce the appointment of Rebekah Vassar as the new Panama City, FL Market Executive for its Commercial Banking team. Bringing a wealth of experience in commercial lending and financial management, Vassar is ready to lead the expansion of PenAir’s commercial banking operations throughout the Panama City and Bay County, FL region.
Recognitions
David Kish, a current Purdue Federal Credit Union board member, has been awarded the 2024 Leadership Achievement Award by the Indiana Credit Union League. The announcement was made during the League's Annual Convention on October 4, 2024.
Paul Obermeyer, President of AAA Federal Credit Union in South Bend, was inducted into the Indiana Credit Union Hall of Fame on October 4 during the Credit Union Awards Celebration, a special event during the Indiana Credit Union League’s annual convention. Obermeyer has been with AAA Federal Credit Union since 1982 and has been president since 1986. Currently, the credit union serves nearly 6,000 members from three offices in the South Bend area.
Andrew Burggraf, President/CEO of CommunityWide Federal Credit Union in South Bend, received the Professional Achievement Award from the Indiana Credit Union League on October 4 during the Credit Union Award Celebration, a special event during the League’s annual convention. Burggraf has been associated with the credit union since 1984. He became chief operating officer in 1998 and was named CEO in 2014. Today, he oversees eleven offices in northern Indiana, has 85 employees, and serves more than 70,000 members. Under his leadership as CEO, the asset size doubled, and CommunityWide FCU added a variety of partners to serve their members, staying ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation.
Carl Fry of Centra Credit Union received the 2024 Emerging Leadership Award from the Indiana Credit Union League on October 4 during the Credit Union Awards Celebration, a special event during the League’s annual convention. Fry, the Senior Vice President of Finance at the credit union, has led the establishment and growth of the Business Analytics Group and implemented advanced financial modeling, which assesses the benefits of the products and initiatives the credit union offers its members. He is a board member for Credit Union Centers, which manages shared branching in Indiana and Illinois; he is also a board member of Sans Souci, a Columbus-based nonprofit, as well as a graduate of Leadership Bartholomew County.
Kendra Morris of INOVA Federal Credit Union received the 2024 Emerging Leadership Award from the Indiana Credit Union League on October 4 during the Credit Union Awards Celebration, a special event during the League’s annual convention. Morris, who is Assistant Vice President of Human Resources and Learning & Development, came to the credit union in 2013 as a Cash Services Representative and has steadily risen through the ranks during that time. While working her way up at the credit union, she earned her bachelor’s degree at IU South Bend.
Lorraine Tomlin of PrimeTrust Financial FCU received the 2024 Emerging Leadership Award from the Indiana Credit Union League October 4 during the Credit Union Awards Celebration, a special event during the League’s annual convention. Tomlin, who is Executive Vice President of Commercial Services, has been with the credit union since 2012. She has been responsible for closing more than $40 million in commercial loans during that time. She also served as project leader during a merger the credit union initiated in 2023. With Lorraine’s leadership, the credit union has launched a small business lending program in partnership with the Community Foundation of Delaware County to help small businesses and start-ups with working capital or equipment loans they may not otherwise qualify to receive.
Promotions
Purdue Federal Credit Union has announced significant changes to its organizational structure at the chief level to align with industry peers and institutions of a similar size. The restructuring includes the promotion of Sam Burns to Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer, alongside title changes for other senior executives. "We are fortunate to have strong lending talent within the organization and we’re thrilled to promote Sam into this new role," said Purdue Federal CEO Bob Falk. Burns’ expertise and vision are expected to drive innovation and growth within the lending division. The title adjustments for other senior executives include Jackie Hofman as Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Matt Lerzak as Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer/CIO, Evelyn Royer as Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, and Brian Musser as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. These moves are designed to streamline operations and continue fostering a cohesive leadership team.
Appointments
The Indiana Credit Union League held its statewide Convention Oct. 2-4 at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis. There were more than 440 in attendance. They were from credit unions representing 81 percent of Indiana’s 2.8 million credit union members. Among the highlights at the Convention, officers were elected at the League’s reorganization meeting on Oct. 4. It was the first official board meeting for newly elected director Jason Ford of Harvester Financial CU in Indianapolis.
Officers are:
Chairwoman: Amy Sink, Interra CU, Goshen
Vice Chair: Cari Palmer, Energy Plus CU, Indianapolis
Board Secretary: Bryan Price, Indiana University CU, Bloomington
Treasurer: Jill Banning, REGIONAL FCU, HammondAlso serving on the board are Nina Baker, ProFed FCU, Fort Wayne; Karen Madry, Afena FCU, Marion; Andy Mattingly, FORUM CU, Fishers and Brett Rinker, Thrive FCU, Muncie.