Luminate announced three promotions within its organization, and California’s Credit Unions and Nevada’s Credit Unions announced the recipients of this year’s Credit Union Awards, Advocacy Awards, and Network Awards.
New Hires:
- HC3 has expanded its sales and marketing team, led by Chief Growth Officer, Tori VanCura-Rutland, to support the company’s continued growth. The expansion includes two strategic new hires, positioning HC3 to better serve the increasing demand from financial institutions seeking streamlined statement processing solutions.
- Catherine Holden joins HC3 as Business Development Manager, with extensive experience as a Regional Director specializing in consultative sales for financial institutions. Her proven track record of exceeding sales targets and building long-lasting client relationships will strengthen HC3’s ability to serve community banks and credit unions. Holden previously served as Regional Director at JMFA, where she worked with community banks and credit unions across Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, and brings additional experience from roles at Confluent Strategies and Wolf & Company.
- Heather Seiler joins HC3 as Business Development Manager with a strong background in team leadership and sales execution. Her client-centric approach aligns with HC3’s commitment to delivering customized solutions that address each financial institution’s unique operational needs. Seiler previously served as an Account Executive at QSI, INC (Quality Service Installation), where she specialized in client relations and team leadership, building on her extensive background in sales and business development.
- Royal Credit Union (Royal) announces Tiffany Molenaar as Branch Manager II of its Osceola office. In this role, Molenaar will lead the team in delivering exceptional service, building strong relationships with Members, and ensuring smooth and successful branch operations. She is passionate about coaching and inspiring her team while creating a welcoming environment for everyone who walks through the doors.
- Maine State Credit Union is proud to announce that Paul Doody has joined the organization as Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking. With nearly 40 years of banking experience, including over 30 years of serving businesses in Waldo County, Doody will focus on business development, commercial lending growth, and enhancing the Credit Union’s presence along the MidCoast, with a special emphasis on the upcoming Belfast branch, set to open in 2026.
- The League of Credit Unions is excited to announce the addition of Nadine Slocum to its Advocacy Team as Senior Director of Governmental Affairs in Virginia, effective Tuesday, September 2.
- United Federal Credit Union (United) has appointed Renee Busscher to the position of Mortgage Advisor at its Mortgage Office at 1600 East Beltline Ave., Suite 111 in Grand Rapids. In her role, Busscher will generate product awareness to credit union members regarding their real estate financing needs and generate investment quality mortgage loans. She will use her knowledge in the industry to provide quality real estate lending experience through personal financial counseling.
- Following an extensive national search, Greylock Federal Credit Union has announced the hiring of William A. Fontes, Vice President and Manager of Business Banking. Fontes brings comprehensive experience in strategic leadership and vision in commercial banking.
Recognitions:
California’s Credit Unions and Nevada’s Credit Unions are honored to announce recipients of this year’s Credit Union Awards, Advocacy Awards, and Network Awards!
2025 Credit Union Awards
Leo H. Shapiro Lifetime Achievement Award
California’s Credit Unions and Nevada’s Credit Unions’ highest recognition, honoring excellence in credit union philosophy and a lifetime of contributions to the credit union movement. It is named after Leo H. Shapiro, father of the California credit union movement and founder of California’s Credit Unions.
- Gary Perez, CEO of USC Credit Union.
Distinguished Service Award
Honors credit union professionals’ ongoing and current contributions to the credit union community.
- Jennifer Oliver, CEO of Rize Credit Union.
Social Impact Award (individual)
Honors individuals who demonstrate an unyielding dedication to building stronger communities and improving members’ lives.
- Doron Noyman, Vice President of Business Development and Community Relations for KeyPoint Credit Union.
Social Impact Award (organization)
Honors credit unions that demonstrate an unyielding dedication to building stronger communities and improving members’ lives.
- Patelco Credit Union.
- Kinecta Federal Credit Union.
- Chaffey Federal Credit Union.
J. Alvin George Outstanding Volunteer Award
Honors significant contributions by people who serve credit unions in volunteer capacities.
- Gary Burton, Board Chair of Orange County’s Credit Union.
- Mitch Fox, Board Chair of Silver State Schools Credit Union.
Tomorrow’s Star Award
Honors the efforts of up-and-coming credit union leaders aged 35 and under, and encourages the development of future leaders.
- Steward Pimienta, Senior Community Engagement Specialist for Travis Credit Union.
- Tyler Sanger-Boyett, Card and Fraud Manager for Bay Federal Credit Union.
2025 Advocacy Awards
- California PAC Advocate of the Year: Nicholas Ambrosini, CEO of Valley Strong Credit Union.
- Nevada PAC Advocate of the Year: Jennifer Denoo, CEO of Great Basin Federal Credit Union.
- Volunteer of the Year: Suzanne Curtin, Board Chair of Kinecta Federal Credit Union.
- Shapiro Advocate of the Year: Eric Bruen, CEO of Desert Valleys Federal Credit Union.
- Nevada Advocate of the Year: Scott Arkills, CEO of Silver State Schools Credit Union.
- California Advocate of the Year: Bill Cheney, CEO of SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.
- Political Professional of the Year: Matt Martin, Senior Vice President of Community and Government Relations for Redwood Credit Union.
- California Advocate Credit Union of the Year: Wescom Financial.
- Nevada Advocate Credit Union of the Year: Boulder Dam Credit Union.
- Supplier of the Year: TruStage.
2025 Kim Bannan Eternal Flame Awards
Honors individuals, credit unions, and other organizations’ contributions to the success of Shapiro Group credit unions.
- Jake Harbour, CEO of Santa Barbara County Federal Credit Union (individual).
- Alloya Corporate Federal Credit Union (organization).
2025 Network Awards of Excellence
Honors excellence in volunteerism within League Networks.
- Lindsey Shores of the Sacramento Valley Network (individual) — Business Development Manager for SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union.
- Orange County Network (network).
Promotions:
- Day Air Credit Union is proud to announce the promotion of Josh Todd to Vice President of Lending. In this role, Todd will oversee all consumer and mortgage lending, as well as special services, advancing Day Air’s reputation as the Best Lending Institution in Dayton.
- Luminate is proud to announce the promotion of Angela Melle to Vice President of Credit Union Engagement. Melle brings 17 years of experience in the credit union movement to her new role. She began her career as a teller, later working as a loan processor, and gaining valuable frontline experience in the call center before joining Luminate. Over the past 10 years at Luminate, she has made a lasting impact—most recently serving as Sr. Director of Communications & Education, where she was heavily involved in the recent organization rebrand.
- Luminate is proud to announce the promotion of Anthony Ware II to Senior Director of Legislative Advocacy, a role in which he will lead the organization’s state and federal advocacy efforts. With over thirteen years in the credit union movement, Anthony began his career as a part-time teller while still in high school at Red River Federal Credit Union in Texarkana, TX. Following his service in the military, he joined Campus Federal Credit Union, where he advanced through a range of roles including Teller, Financial Services Representative, Card Services Specialist, Branch Operations Manager, and Business & Community Development Officer.
- Luminate is proud to announce the promotion of Danielle Thibodeaux to Senior Director of Credit Union Success. Danielle’s 27 year career in the credit union movement began at the credit union level where she served in roles such as Teller, Vault Teller, Administrative Assistant, and BSA/IRA Specialist. She later transitioned to the League, holding multiple positions over the years including Compliance Specialist, Field Representative, and Field Supervisor.
- HC3 has expanded its sales and marketing team, led by Chief Growth Officer, Tori VanCura-Rutland, to support the company’s continued growth. The expansion includes two internal promotions, positioning HC3 to better serve the increasing demand from financial institutions seeking streamlined statement processing solutions.
- Andrew Fix has been promoted to Partnerships Manager after serving as Business Development Manager. In his new role, Fix will focus on developing strategic partnerships and alliance relationships to expand HC3’s market reach. Before joining HC3 in 2023, Fix held roles at Finastra and FIS.
- Collier Clark has been promoted to Client Solutions Manager, transitioning from his role as Business Development Representative. Clark will now focus on solution architecture and optimization for HC3’s growing client base, leveraging his expertise to help financial institutions maximize their operational efficiency. Joining HC3 in 2021, Clark brings extensive project management experience from previous roles at Research Solutions Group and Gibson Energy.