Two credit unions, including FORUM Credit Union, announced promotions, and the Michigan Credit Union League and Michigan Credit Union Foundation announced the recipients of the 2025 MCUL/MCUF Awards.
New Hires
- Consumers Credit Union announces the appointment of Mortgage Operations Manager Nathan Smeltzer and three new mortgage loan officers, Matt Eldred, Everett Hurt and Adriana Salazar-Correa respectively. Matt Eldred brings along over 24 years of experience in the mortgage industry, helping over 3,000 families realize their dreams of homeownership. His extensive experience, especially with VA loans, will prove a great asset for working effectively with a diverse range of people. Eldred will serve home buyers in the Kalamazoo and Portage market. Everett Hurt will be serving our Lansing market. Hurt has an almost 20-year career in the mortgage industry, with a wealth of experience in originating all types of loans. Also joining the team, Adriana Salazar-Correa will serve the Holland market at the Riley office. Salazar-Correa is a native Spanish speaker and comes to Consumers with over 17 years of experience as a mortgage loan officer.
- TBA Credit Union has welcomed Heather Karl as their new Branch Experience Leader. Karl brings over 20 years of expertise in providing exceptional customer service, financial balancing, and reporting, along with a proven track record of increasing sales and growing customer bases.
- LAFCU has welcomed Jon Looman as vice president of facilities, bringing decades of leadership experience and a deep understanding of the credit union industry to the position. With a strong background in organizational management and infrastructure development, he will play a key role in ensuring that LAFCU’s facilities continue to support and enhance the experiences of both members and employees.
Recognitions
The Michigan Credit Union League (MCUL) and the Michigan Credit Union Foundation (MCUF) are proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 MCUL/MCUF Awards. These outstanding individuals and organizations exemplify leadership, innovation and a deep commitment to the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People.”
Distinguished Service Award
Vickie McIntosh, FreeStar Financial Credit Union
With over 30 years of dedication to the credit union movement, McIntosh has been a steadfast leader, advocate and mentor. Her work in financial literacy, advocacy and community engagement has made a significant difference in Michigan.
Board Member of the Year
Roger Sosebee, Journey Federal Credit Union
In 2024, Sosebee continued his nearly 40 years of service by championing financial literacy initiatives and strategic growth efforts at Journey FCU, helping ensure a strong financial future for its members.
Outstanding Extra-Large-Asset-Size Credit Union
Frankenmuth Credit Union
In 2024, Frankenmuth CU expanded financial education efforts to 27 schools, launched an AI-powered chatbot to improve member service and became the first Michigan credit union to offer cryptocurrency banking services.
Outstanding Large-Asset-Size Credit Union
Members First Credit Union
Members First CU made financial well-being a priority in 2024 by certifying 98.6% of its staff in financial counseling, implementing new savings and loan programs and leading impactful community engagement efforts.
Outstanding Medium-Asset-Size Credit Union
Community First Federal Credit Union
Community First FCU provided $23,500 in financial assistance to 98 families, expanded financial literacy programs and introduced emergency savings initiatives to support members in times of need.
Professional of the Year
Martha Fuerstenau, American 1 Credit Union
Fuerstenau’s leadership in 2024 drove American 1 CU’s expansion to $685 million in assets, bolstered financial education programs and reinforced the credit union’s commitment to community impact.
Young Professional of the Year
Phillip Thompson, FreeStar Financial Credit Union
Thompson played a key role in the credit union’s recent successful core system conversion, merger integration and expansion of financial literacy programs, furthering FreeStar Financial’s mission of member service excellence.
Team Member of the Year
Julia Kaiser, People Driven Credit Union
Kaiser secured a $90,000 scholarship grant in 2024, led multiple financial education workshops and orchestrated key community initiatives to support underserved populations in Michigan.
Innovation Award
Journey Federal Credit Union
Journey FCU continued innovating in 2024 with the Journey Forward model, integrating ITMs for enhanced member convenience and launching the Amplifi Rewards Program to incentivize smart financial behaviors.
MCUF Community Enrichment Award
Lake Michigan Credit Union – HomeAssist Program
Lake Michigan CU addressed homeownership barriers by launching the HomeAssist Program, which provided up to $10,000 in assistance for first-time homebuyers, particularly benefiting Black, African American, Hispanic and Latino households.
MCUF Financial Well-Being Champion Award
Jacob Purman, Frankenmuth Credit Union
Purman led 52 financial literacy events in 2024, impacting over 2,000 students. He expanded in-school credit union branches, improved Financial Reality Fair accessibility and launched a financial education program for underserved youth in Scouts of America.
Promotions
FORUM is happy to announce organizational promotions:
- Megan Carich was promoted to Assistant Vice President – Marketing. In this role, Megan will lead FORUM’s Marketing team to drive member engagement and attract new members through various channels including social media, community relations, and digital marketing strategies, including FORUM’s website. Megan joined FORUM after graduating from Ball State University in 2018 with a major in Telecommunications: Sales and Promotions, and a minor in Marketing. She began her role as the Marketing Assistant and was promoted to Social & Community Engagement Manager in July of 2022, and then to Marketing & Brand Manager in February 2023.
- Kathleen Lupke was promoted to Assistant Vice President – Business Intelligence. In this role, Kathleen will oversee themanagement of FORUM’s data warehouse to increase data analytics capabilities, which will enable more data driven decisions. Kathleen is an alumna of Saint Mary’s College; after many years in the financial industry, she joined FORUM in 2016 and has held various roles including Commercial Operations Specialist (2016), Business Intelligence Analyst (2018), Senior Business Intelligence Analyst (2019), and Business Intelligence Manager (2022).
- Jessica Bennett has been promoted to Software Development Product Manager. In her new role, she will be responsible for the software lifecycle of FORUM’s home banking platform, CU Online. Jessica joined FORUM in 2010 and has held various roles including Member Service Representative (2010), Universal Agent (2011), Retail Delivery Technology Lead (2012), and Quality Assurance Analyst (2017).
- Jordan Gerlach has been promoted to Lawrence Branch Manager. In her new role, she plans to empower members with personalized financial solutions, strengthen community relationships, and foster a welcoming environment built on trust and growth. She was hired in 2023 as a Manager in Training and then was promoted to Assistant Branch Manager of FORUM’s Brookville Road location (2024).
- Meredith Kutan has been promoted to Marketing and Community Manager. In her new position, she will oversee marketing and community relations efforts, collaborate with internal departments to enhance their marketing initiatives, and develop branding elements across branches. Meredith was hired at FORUM in 2022 and has held the roles of Social and Community Engagement Marketing Assistant (2022) and Marketing and Community Specialist (2023).
- Bryson Murray has been promoted to Indirect Sales Manager. In his new role, he will be promoting FORUM’s Indirect Lending program to both existing and potential auto dealerships, soliciting new dealerships, and working to achieve desired auto loan origination goals. He will also be evaluating current and new marketing, coaching sales representatives, and working across departments to support business goals. Bryson was hired in 2016 and then joined FORUM again in 2022. He has held various roles including Member Services Specialist (2016), Indirect Lending Specialist (2017), ATM Specialist (2022), and Indirect Lending Sales Representative (2022).
All One Credit Union (formerly known as Leominster Credit Union) is proud to announce the following employees have been recently promoted within the organization.
- Katie Najjar has been promoted to Chief Member Experience Officer. In this new role, Katie will oversee and collaborate with both the Retail and Marketing Divisions to further develop initiatives and programs impacting growth opportunities. Katie joined the credit union five years ago as SVP Retail.
- Justin Silva has been promoted to VP Retail. In this new role, Justin will continue to oversee the Member Service Center and support the Chief Member Experience Officer in leading the Retail area. Justin joined the credit union as an intern at the West Boylston Street Branch in 2000 and has progressed through various roles within the branch network and Retail Division.
- Tina Cicero has been promoted to AVP Area Manager. In this new role, Tina will continue to manage the West Boylston Street Branch while also overseeing the Branch Managers of the Sterling and Shrewsbury Street branches. Tina has been with the credit union for more than seven years and has served as a Branch Manager for the last three and a half years.
- Nichole Howarth has been promoted to VP Operations. In this new role, Nichole will oversee all aspects of Operations including Account Operations, Digital Operations, Payment Operations as well as Retail Operations. Nichole joined the credit union eight years ago and has served in a management capacity on both the Retail and Operations sides.
- Meg Zamarro has been promoted to Digital Operations Manager. In her new role, Meg will lead the day-to-day operations of the Digital Operations Team and support the credit union’s digital platforms. Meg joined the credit union seven years ago in the Member Service Center and has been a member of the Digital Team for the last four years.
- Dawn Garrigan has been promoted to Payment Operations Manager. In this new role, Dawn will lead the day-to-day operations of the Payment Operations Team and support all of the credit union’s payment channels. Dawn has over twenty years of Operations experience and has worked for the credit union for more than ten years.
- Josh Laprade has been promoted to AVP Information Technology. In this new role, Josh will lead the day-to-day operations of the IT Team while playing a critical role in projects and technology initiatives throughout the credit union. Josh joined the credit union seven years ago and has been the IT Manager for the last three years.
Appointments
At America’s Credit Unions premiere event, Governmental Affairs Conference, President/CEO Jim Nussle was proud to announce Patrick Pierce, President/CEO of City & County Credit Union in St. Paul, MN, as the new Board of Directors Chair. Pierce will serve a one-year term.
Along with Pierce, the board members elected the following members to serve on its Executive Committee:
- Karin Harbin, Board Vice Chair, President/CEO of Commonwealth Credit Union
- Jim Morrell, Board Treasurer, President/CEO of Peninsula Community Federal Credit Union
- Keith Sultemeier, Board Secretary, President/CEO of Kinecta Federal Credit Union
- Brian Schools, President/CEO of Chartway Federal Credit Union, as immediate past chair will also serve on the Executive Committee
The full Board of Directors will have familiar faces as the organization continues to be the united voice of credit unions in Washington, D.C., and across the country.
Other members of America’s Credit Unions 2025 Board of Directors:
- Lisa Ginter, CEO of CommunityAmerica Credit Union
- Gary Grinnell, President/CEO of Corning Federal Credit Union
- Lori Herrick, President/CEO of Manchester Municipal Federal Credit Union
- Melanie Kennedy, President of Southwest Financial Federal Credit Union
- Day Matthews, Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel of Local Government Federal Credit Union
- Nader Moghaddam, President/CEO of Financial Partners Credit Union
- Lonnie Nicholson, President/CEO of Educational Employees Credit Union
- Jeff Olson, President/CEO of Dakota Credit Union Association
- Fred Robinson, President/CEO of Tennessee Credit Union League
- Amy Sink, CEO of Interra Credit Union
Credit Union House held its 23rd Annual Meeting of Members on Sunday, March 2 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. During the meeting, an election was held to name directors to the board. Two board directors, who were appointed to their positions last year, were elected to the Credit Union House board: Samantha Beeler, president of The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates and Caroline Williard, president/CEO of the Cornerstone League.
Three directors were also re-elected to the board: Patrick Conway, president/CEO of the CrossState Credit Union Association and Patty Corkery, president/CEO of CUSG and Michigan Credit Union League, and Troy Stang, president/CEO of the GoWest Credit Union Association.
Directors serve two-year terms. The new Credit Union House board members are:
- Troy Stang, President/CEO of the GoWest Credit Union Association, Chair
- Patrick Conway, President/CEO of CrossState Credit Union Association, Vice Chair
- Patty Corkery, president/CEO of Michigan Credit Union League & Affiliates, Treasurer
- Caroline Willard, President/CEO of Cornerstone League, Secretary
- Samantha Beeler, President/CEO of The League of Credit Unions, Director