East

Brian A. Orenstein, president/CEO of $823 million Charter Oak Federal Credit Union in Waterford, Conn., was elected to the board of directors of the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut. Orenstein is also serving as this year's co-chair of the United Way 2014 campaign appeal. Charter Oak is also this year's sponsor of United Way's 100X100 Challenge, which is asking 100 businesses to donate $100 each to the agency. Charter Oak has pledged to match all new contributions to the 100X100 Challenge, up to $10,000

The $268 million Freedom Federal Credit Union in Bel Air, Md., announced Donna Fisher, a recovery specialist, won its “Core Values Award” for the second quarter of 2014. This award, based on employee nominations and chosen by a volunteer committee of employees, recognizes Freedom FCU employees who continuously demonstrate support of the credit union's core values.

South

The $1.6 billion GTE Financial Federal Credit Union in Tampa named retired Colonel Scott DeThomas as senior vice president products and member sales. DeThomas has a distinguished career of more than 23 years in the U.S. Air Force including his work as an accounting and finance officer, director of staff to the secretary of the Air Force, division chief and senior analyst strategy and policy, and wing commander and CEO of MacDill Air Force in Tampa.

Stu Ramsey, president/CEO of the $1.2 billion Pen Air Federal Credit Union in Pensacola, is joining the board of directors of LEVERAGE, an affiliate of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions, as an at-large director. Ramsey replaces the Pensacola-based $164 million Members First Credit Union of Florida President/CEO Caryl Greene who was elected to serve on the LSCU board. Joining Ramsey as new members of the LEVERAGE board are LSCU Directors Alvin Cowans and Kevin Johnson, as well as former LSCU Director Joe McGee.

West

Richard Brandsma, president/CEO of the $1.1 billion Sound Credit Union in Tacoma, Wash., was appointed to the cooperative's board of directors. Brandsma has served as Sound's president/CEO for more than 30 years. During this time he has led the organization through 14 mergers, helping it grow from $18.9 million in assets to $1 billion in assets. Before joining Sound, he was a federal principal examiner for the NCUA for ten years.

The $168 million Wauna Federal Credit Union in Clatskaine, Ore., announced transitions with its Clatskaine branch management team. Pam Weller, who served as Clatskaine branch manager, was named manager of the cooperative's Vernonia branch. Gina Dines, who served as assistant manager of the Clatskaine branch, was promoted as its manager, and Jennifer Martinez was selected as the assistant manager of the Clatskaine office.

Lead Business Loan Analyst Officer Deb Sanchez of the $289 million Meridian Federal Trust Credit Union in Cheyenne, Wyo., earned the Credit Union Business Lending Professional designation from the CUNA Business Lending Certification Institute at University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business. The CUNA Business Lending Certification Institute provides credit union business lenders with extensive, expert-led sessions designed to address real-life business scenarios. The CUBLP Designation included completion of courses of business lending fundamentals, business lending credit analysis, and advanced credit analysis

Trades

During the National Association of Credit Union Supervisory and Auditing Committees 2014 Annual Conference & Exposition in Las Vegas in June, five NACUSAC University graduates were honored. They were: Mike Ladner and Allan Micksch, supervisory committee members, and Josie King, board member, of the of the $2.1 billion Keesler Federal Credit Union in Biloxi, Miss., Jerry Dean, supervisory committee chair and Charles McKinnie, supervisory committee member of the $181 Million Mutual Credit Union in Vicksburg, Miss. The NACUSAC University curriculum consists of two levels of study, including twelve courses in the areas of auditing and accounting.

Rose Conner, administrator of the North Carolina Credit Union Division, was appointed to the board of directors of NASCUS in Arlington, Va. Conner replaces Utah regulator Orla Beth Peck, who retired Aug. 1 from her position as supervisor of credit unions with the Utah Department of Financial Institutions. Peck joined the DFI as an examiner in 1981. She was named supervisor of credit unions in 1992. A longtime member of NASCUS, Peck was active on NASCUS committees and served as a trustee and chair of the National Institute for State Credit Union Examination.