EAST

First Financial Foundation, the charitable arm of the $182 million, Wall Township, N.J.-based First Financial Credit Union, awarded Lanes Mill Elementary School EXCEL teacher Cathy Heuser a $500 classroom grant for the 2015-2016 school year. First Financial Foundation offered Monmouth and Ocean County educators a total of six classroom grants to use at their schools for the current school year.

MIDWEST

The $145 million, St. Cloud, Minn.-based St. Cloud Federal Credit Union hired Melissa Johnson as director of virtual services and delivery channels. Johnson recently served as senior product manager for NativeX and has an expansive background in fostering solutions that maximize performance. She was also a member of the board of directors for St. Cloud and transitioned to the credit union's staff when this opportunity arose.

SOUTH

The Austin, Texas-based, $553 million Greater Texas Federal Credit Union hired Howard N. Baker as its new president/CEO, effective Jan. 19. A 29-year credit union veteran, Baker brings 15 years of experience from the $9 billion, San Antonio-based Security Service Federal Credit Union, where he held various leadership positions including 11 years as executive vice president and chief of staff. Prior to that, he worked for the NCUA in various high-level examiner and analyst positions for more than 14 years.

The $826 million DATCU Credit Union in Denton, Texas hired Natalie Serna as a new member of its insurance team. Serna previously served at Krahl Insurance Agency as an agent for 16 years.

WEST

The $135 million, Reno, Nev.-based Great Basin Federal Credit Union announced four staff promotions. Elisabeth Hadler was promoted to chief marketing officer. Hadler has been with Great Basin for more than 17 years and is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno and Western CUNA Management School. James Nichols was promoted to chief information officer. Nichols has been with the credit union for 14 years and is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno. He is currently in his third and final year at Western CUNA Management School. Marla Nannini was promoted to internal audit manager. Nannini has been with the credit union for 12 years, and is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno and the School for Bank Administration at the University of Wisconsin. Finally, Matt Messerli was promoted to accounting manager. Messerli has been with the credit union for six months. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada, Reno and is currently enrolled in the university's graduate program.

The Tucson, Ariz.-based, $1.5 billion Vantage West Credit Union hired Tim Overton as its new vice president of business lending and services. Overton has more than two decades of experience as a commercial relationship manager for Chase, Wells Fargo, Northern Trust and the National Bank of Arizona. He is also a member of the Oro Valley Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Financial Executives and Affiliates of Tucson, 4 Tucson and the Tucson Airport Authority.

Ventura County Credit Union employees Gina O'Callaghan and David Kanongataa – both registered representatives affiliated with broker dealer and registered investment adviser CUSO Financial Services, LP – were recognized by CFS as top-producing financial advisors. O'Callaghan was the highest performing advisor in the Silver Pacesetter category and Kanongataa was recognized with a Bronze Pacesetter award. CFS and Sorrento Pacific Financial, LLC present the annual Pacesetter Awards as a means to acknowledge top advisors for their outstanding performance in delivering investment services to clients. VCCU is based in Ventura, Calif. and has $733 million in assets.

The Las Vegas-based, $580 million Clark County Credit Union appointed Mark Andrews to chief marketing officer. Andrews has more than 30 years of leadership experience in the credit union industry and began his career with CCCU in 1986 as a vendor providing marketing support services before his official staff appointment in 1997. He has held a number of senior positions within CCCU including vice president of business development, vice president of sales and lending, and vice president of sales and marketing.

CUSOs

CU Service Network in Lakewood, Colo. hired Rich Mohr and Lauren Annino as business development account managers. Mohr began working with credit unions 25 years ago and has held positions with the $188 million Rocky Mountain Law Enforcement Credit Union in Denver, $1.6 billion Elevations Credit Union in Boulder, Colo. and the Mountain West Credit Union Association. Annino is new to the credit union industry and previously worked in home healthcare and for Hospice. CU Service Network offers credit union members back-office, member and delivery channel solutions.