New Career Moves Making Waves In The CU Industry

One Detroit Credit Union announced the appointment of award-winning career banker as its new Chief Experience Officer, PenFed Credit Union announced the promotion of four leaders and Robins Financial Credit Union proudly recognized their quarterly Star Employees.

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New Hires

• People’s Credit Union has appointed Symphony Pena as Head of Wakefield Market Development at the Credit Union’s branch on Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield. “Symphony was the perfect solution for the Head of Wakefield Market Development,” stated Jane McDurman, Head of Retail Administration. “She brings over 15 years of banking and credit union member service experience, all within the West Bay area. We look forward to Symphony excelling in her new leadership role,” McDurman added.

• One Detroit Credit Union announced the appointment of award-winning career banker Portia Powell as its new chief experience officer. "One Detroit is poised to take the next step in becoming Detroit's community financial institution, and Portia's mix of banking experience and devotion to the community is a perfect combination to make that happen," said Hank Hubbard, president and CEO of One Detroit Credit Union.

• Corporate Central is pleased to announce and welcome Ken Pardon as a Senior Software Engineer. "Ken possesses a wealth of expertise and experience and is well-positioned to play a vital role in advancing our technology-driven initiatives,” said Gregg Tushaus, SVP/Chief Technology and Strategy Officer. “In today’s environment where technology is rapidly reshaping the financial landscape, Ken's insights will undoubtedly accelerate our efforts to deliver state-of-the-art solutions to our valued members.”

• Valley First Credit Union filled two key positions hiring a new director of compliance and director of marketing.

  • Charles Ciapponi joined Valley First as director of compliance with nearly 20 years of credit union experience including the Educational Employees Credit Union in Fresno and Pacific Service Credit Union in Concord, Calif. “Charles brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this critical role at Valley First,” says President and CEO Kathryn J. Davis, CCE. “He will play a key role as we continue to grow and implement best practices in managing compliance risk on behalf of our members.”

  • The new director of marketing is Lindsay Sansen. “I look forward to spreading the word about the wonderful benefits of membership at Valley First Credit Union,” said Sansen. “My job is to make sure people living in the 12 counties we serve in the valley are aware that Valley First is more than a financial institution and prioritize our members well-being above all else. We’re built on the principle of ‘people helping people’ and offer an alternative path to achieving financial wellness.”

Promotions

•  PenFed Credit Union announced the promotion of four leaders who will oversee home lending technology, the PenFed Foundation, payments and home lending operations:

  • Brian Kukwa, vice president of mortgage technology, has been promoted to senior vice president of home lending technology;

  • Andrea McCarren, vice president of PenFed Digital, has been promoted to senior vice president of PenFed Digital and president of PenFed Foundation;

  • Brad Patterson, vice president of payments, has been promoted to senior vice president of payments;

  • Mary Rzucidlo, vice president of home loans, has been promoted to senior vice president of home loans operations and culture.

Appointments

Awards

• Ashley Chambers, Director of Business Development at Chief Financial Credit Union, as a recipient of the prestigious Most Valuable Young Professional (MVP) Award in CORP! Magazine’s Eighth Annual MVP Awards. This recognition celebrates Chambers' outstanding contributions to the business community and her exceptional leadership skills.

• Robins Financial Credit Union is proud to recognize their quarterly Star Employees. Congratulations to the 2023 second quarter employees recognized through the Star Employees Recognition Program.

  Star Leaders of the Quarter

• Susanne Smith, Collections

  Star Performers of the Quarter

• Audrey Morath, Fort Valley Branch

• Bridgette Grant, Card Services

• Carolyn Corbin, Collections

• Dana Westmoreland, Payment Services

• Jacques Fleming, Collections

• Jennifer Pruitt, Card Services

• Jessica King, Risk Management

• Kristin Wright, Software and Application Development

• Pam Price, Indirect Lending o Rachael Leverette, Accounting

• Sharell Ross, Payment Services

• Tiffany Sorrow, Call Center

  Star Producer

• Chelsea Hall, Milledgeville Branch

• Damarious Brown, Riverside Branch

• Lu Jia, Chantilly Branch

• Michelle Campbell, Gray Branch

  Rising Star

• Amber King, Chantilly Branch

• Amy Cox, Information Technology

• Chelsea Crawford, Call Center

• Michellene Modisett, Accounting