Credit union HR departments were busy this past week, as sixcooperatives announced new hires and promotions.

Plus, auto lending CUSO CU Direct hired a new chief strategyofficer for automotive solutions.

WEST

The $6.4 billion Alaska USA Federal CreditUnion in Anchorage, Alaska appointed three employeesto fill executive positions. JohnCassidy (pictured) was hired as CFO. Cassidy bringsmore than 25 years of executive-level financial institutionexperience, including previous positions as president/CEO and CFOof a corporate credit union. Most recently, he was the presidentand CEO of a CUSO. David Vanzant was hired asvice president, enterprise security. Vanzant has more than 20 yearsof experience in physical and information security, stemming from acareer as special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.Shawn Brume was hired as SVP, informationmanagement governance. Blume spent 17 years with IBM in the tapestorage division and has been an active participant of the StorageNetworking Industry Association and the Linear Tape-Open Programthroughout his IT career.

The $1.7 billion Numerica Credit Union inSpokane, Wash., promoted six employees. CindyLeaver's (pictured) role is expanding as CFO to nowinclude chief strategy officer. In this new position, she will workin tandem with Numerica President/CEO Carla Altepeter to translatethe credit union's mission into actionable plans. Leaver is nowresponsible for developing, communicating, executing and sustainingmajor initiatives. She has been with Numerica for more than adecade and has more than 20 years of experience in the financialindustry. Jana Erny was promoted to SVP ofretail experience/lending and operations. Erny previously served asvice president for retail lending and loan operations. With herpromotion she will now oversee Spokane and Idaho retail branches aswell as branch operations.

Greg Hansen (pictured) was promotedto SVP of business services. With more than 30 years of experience,Hansen will now be overseeing the dealer center in addition tobusiness services. He has been with Numerica since 2010 and managesall commercial, investor real estate, SBA, small business and cashmanagement functions. Rob Stephens was promoted toSVP of finance. Stephens will continue his oversight of the financedepartment with responsibility over wealth management andinvestment services. He has been with the credit union since 2012.Andy Stirling was promoted to vice president forNumerica's Central Washington region. Stirling has more than 12years of experience in the financial industry, with nearly 10 yearsin leadership/management roles. Most recently, he was Numerica'sassistant vice president for the Central Washington region.

Jody Azevedo will assume a newly createdposition of assistant vice president of digital experience. Azevedocomes to this position with a great deal of experience in salesserving most recently as assistant vice president of businessdevelopment for Numerica. In this new position, Azevedo willbe responsible for the member service center and digital solutionsat Numerica.

MIDWEST

The $844 million SPIRE Credit Union basedin Falcon Heights, Minn., hired Beth Schaller asthe Woodbury branch manager. Prior to joining SPIRE, Schallerworked for nine years at a Wisconsin-based credit union as itsBaldwin Office Supervisor. Schaller started on the front linesas a personal banker and worked for a Midwestern bank for more than17 years ago.

The $2.9 billion Teachers Credit Union in SouthBend, Ind.,promoted Gene Novello to EVP and COO.Novello will take over responsibility for the day-to-day operationsand direction of the organization from current presidentPaul Marsh. This shift in duties will allow Marshto take a more active leadership role locally, nationally andwithin the credit union industry.

SOUTH

The $2.2 billion Langley Federal CreditUnion inNewport News, Va., named JoseIregui as vice president of collections. Iregui is nowresponsible for all of the collections operations includingcollections, repossession, foreclosures, specialty collections andremarketing. Iregui has more than 25 years of experience incollections, call center, service and sales for key financialinstitutions, funding and service centers.

EAST

The $327 million Piedmont Advantage CreditUnion in Winston-Salem, N.C., hired MichaelWestbrook as a financial advisor. Westbrook, an investmentrepresentative affiliated with broker dealer and RegisteredInvestment Adviser CUSO Financial Services, L.P. specializes in helping clients manage the financial dynamicsassociated with preserving, growing and transferring wealth to thenext generation.

Westbrook has more than six years of experience providinginvestment services and advice to families and businesses, and 25years of experience in the healthcare industry.

CUSOs

CU Direct appointed Ron Frey,automotive innovator and executive, to serve as the company's chiefstrategy officer, automotive solutions. Frey begins his newposition this month. Frey has spent 30 years serving the automotiveand credit union industry, bringing innovative business andtechnological advancements to the industry. In his position with CUDirect, he will oversee the planning and direction of automotivesolutions as it relates to product and market expansion.

Please send your People news items to Tahira Hayes [email protected].