This past week, credit unions across the nation beefed up theirexecutive teams with new talent. Plus, a CEO in Houston retiredafter 26 years of service.

EAST

Two employees at the $1.2 billion, Lowell, Mass.-basedJeanne D'Arc Credit Union, DianeClark (pictured) and JenniferRideout, were both promoted to assistant treasurers/branchmanagers. Clark will be the new branch manager in theWestford, Mass. location. She began her employment at Jeanne D'Arcin 2006 as a part-time receptionist, and has also held positions asmember service representative, head teller and assistant branchmanager. Rideout has 13 years of experience in the financialindustry, and began as a Jeanne D'Arc team member in 2005.Throughout her employment, she has held various positions includingsenior teller, senior member service representative and assistantbranch manager.

MIDWEST

The $512 million, Indianapolis-based FinancialCenter First Credit Union promoted JenniferRue (pictured) to vice president ofenterprise risk management. She previously served as director ofinternal audit and has been with the credit union for more thannine years.

The $3 billion Veridian Credit Union ofWaterloo, Iowa promoted Sarah McGovern to managerof learning and development. McGovern has been employed at Veridianfor 17 years, most recently as a payment systems analyst.

The Indianapolis-based, $1.6 billion Indiana MembersCredit Union hired Jim Kingsolver as abusiness banker. Jim brings 31 years of experience in consumer andbusiness lending to his position at IMCU. He currently serves onthe board of directors of the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce andis a member of the Noblesville Noon Kiwanis.

Kim Sponem (pictured), president/CEO for theMadison, Wis.-based, $2.4 billion Summit CreditUnion, received one of four Best in Business Change AgentAwards from Madison Magazine. She was particularlyrecognized for creating the $35,359 STAR Credit Union in Madison.Now 10 years old, it is the only known chartered credit union forkids in the world. She was also honored for supporting financialwellness for women and communities of color.

The $126 million, Brownstown, Mich.-based Advantage OneFederal Credit Union promoted JessicaLoewe to the position of branch manager at the creditunion's Southgate branch in Southgate, Mich. Loewe began her careerwith Advantage One in 2005 and most recently held the position ofpayment solutions partner.

The $301 million INOVA Federal Credit Union ofElkhart, Ind. announced eight promotions within its managementteam. Lisa Adams was promoted to vice president ofCUSOs and human resources and development; ShellyCrawford was appointed to assistant vice president ofbranch sales and service; and Michael Fewell isnow senior assistant vice president of security and maintenance. Inaddition, Claire Kellems became vice president ofanalytics, process and technology; Joe Messengerwas promoted to senior assistant vice president of finance; andMelody Neagu became senior assistant vicepresident of human resources and development. Finally,Michele Riddle was promoted to senior vicepresident of lending and Kerie Sekal was appointedto vice president of marketing and member engagement.

SOUTH

The $1.9 billion University Federal CreditUnion in Austin, Texas hired RenyBuduan (pictured) as senior manager, human resources.Buduan has more than 20 years of human resources experience andmost recently served as a human resources business partner for DellInc. in Round Rock, Texas.

The $3.5 billion Space Coast CreditUnion in Melbourne, Fla. appointed LindaHart to vice president of human resources. Hartjoined SCCU in November 2015 and holds more than 15 years of humanresources experience. Her most recent roles include working as anHR business partner at the Melbourne-based manufacturing firm MCAssembly and serving as the HR director for DRS Tactical Systems,Inc., a division of DRS Technologies, Inc.

Gary Tuma (pictured), the 26-year president/CEOfor the $633 million Smart Financial Credit Unionin Houston, retired effective Dec. 31, 2015. Tuma dedicated his36-year career to serving various Texas credit unions located inAustin, Corpus Christi and Houston. Smart Financial appointed ChiefLending Officer Larry Seidl as Tuma's successor.

WEST

Elevations Credit Union hired KenBauer as vice president of business banking. Bauer bringsmore than 10 years of experience in the commercial banking industryto his new role at Elevations, having previously worked as seniorvice president of commercial banking at AMG National Trust Bank andvice president of commercial banking at Colorado State Bank &Trust. Elevations is based in Boulder, Colo. and has $1.6 billionin assets.

Richard De Ramon, branch manager forRedwood Credit Union's Novato branch, wasrecognized as the Novato Chamber Ambassador of the Year by theNovato Chamber of Commerce. A Novato Chamber Ambassador for threeyears, De Ramon promotes the chamber and its purpose by enlistingnew members, maintaining relationships with current members andserving as a goodwill representative at a variety of functions. DeRamon has more than 30 years of financial services experience.Prior to joining the $2.8 billion, Santa Rosa, Calif.-based RCU, heserved as regional sales manager for Home Savings of America andDowney Savings, as well as corporate vice president for ImperialCapital Bank.