Aventa Credit Union, Colorado Springs, Colo., recently named Howard Smith mortgage manager. Smith has more than 42 years of lending experience that he brings to Aventa. Smith is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of Aventa's mortgage department, supervising the credit union's mortgage loan officers, underwriting mortgage loans and growing Aventa's mortgage portfolio across all service areas. Prior to coming to Aventa, Smith worked for eight years at Rocky Mountain Bank and Trust as their chief credit officer. Smith has prior credit union experience working as the vice-president of real estate lending at golden plains credit union in Garden City, Kan.  Smith holds a bachelor of business administration degree with an economics emphasis from Texas Tech University. 

Redwood Credit Union, Ukiah, Calif., named Kristie Strickler manager of the Ukiah branch. In her new role, Stickler  oversees service to members, staff management and training, and all daily branch operations, as well as business development, community relations and local volunteer efforts. Strickler has been with Redwood Credit Union for over nine years, most recently as branch manager for RCU's Sebastopol location. Strickler previously served as Ukiah's assistant branch manager from 2009-2011.

Security Service Federal Credit Union, Salt Lake City, announced the promotion of Greg Reed to vice president of member service for its mountain west region.  In his new position, Reed will be responsible for member service operations, community initiatives and business development in the mountain west region. Reed holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Brigham Young University in Rexburg, Idaho, and a master's degree in finance from Idaho State University in Pocatello.  He joined SSFCU in 2011 as assistant vice president for the southern Utah district and has several years of experience in the financial services industry.  His previous experience includes employment with Idaho Central Credit Union, where he served as a regional manager. 

Next: MIDWEST

MIDWEST

Indiana Members Credit Union, Indianapolis, announced that Melissa Duke has joined the organization as a business lending officer.  Duke will assist IMCU and the business services team and develop and service new and existing business accounts, as well as actively promote and involve IMCU with the local community. Duke brings 20 years of experience in consumer and commercial lending to her position at IMCU.  She is a graduate of Indiana University.

Partners 1st Federal Credit Union, Fort Wayne, Ind., recently hired Travis Beck as the senior vice president, chief financial officer. He will report directly to Carla Bienz, president/CEO, and is responsible for financial and accounting services at the credit union. Beck returns to Partners 1st after an absence of eight years during which he served as controller at Grow Financial Credit Union in Tampa, Fla., for four years and CFO at The Education Credit Union, Amarillo, Texas, for four years.

US Federal Credit Union, Burnsville, Minn., welcomed Virginia Bleess to the position of internal audit manager at the corporate office. Bleess is a certified public accountant and earned her bachelor of science in accounting from Winona State University. Bleess comes to US Federal with over 11 years of experience providing audit and consulting services for financial institutions.  In her new role, Bleess will plan, perform and report on scheduled and approved audits, and support the activities and assignments of the quality control/quality assurance specialist. Bleess will also coordinate outsourced and external audits.

Veridian Credit Union, Waterloo, Iowa, announced that Erica Andersen has been promoted to business relationship officer. Andersen, who was previously a loan officer with Veridian, has been with the credit union for three years. She has a degree in finance from Iowa State University.

Next: SOUTH

SOUTH

1st Advantage Federal Credit Union, Yorktown, Va.,  has promoted DeAnna Kimrey to business relationship manager. Kimrey has been with 1st Advantage FCU for seven years and has over 14 years' experience in the financial industry. Taking on a newly created position with the credit union, Kimrey will be responsible for prospecting, acquiring, developing and retaining small business banking relationships for 1st Advantage.

Virginia Credit Union, Richmond, Va., announced that Frank Macrina has been named vice president for e-services. Macrina joined Virginia Credit Union in 1997. He was most recently assistant vice president for electronic services.  He has led projects to increase convenience for Virginia Credit Union members, including online banking, online bill pay and mobile banking. Macrina led several efforts to roll out additional electronic services to credit union members in 2012. The credit union also announced that Trey Kelso has been named vice president-software development and business solutions. He joined Virginia Credit Union in 2008 as software development manager. A graduate of Louisiana State University, he has worked in the banking industry for more than 20 years.