This past week, seven credit unions across the nation announced new hires, promotions, retirements and accolades. Plus, CU Companies hired a new executive.

MIDWEST

The $816 million Mayo Employees Federal Credit Union in Rochester, Minn., announced Kenneth L. Kurth has been honored as a Credit Union Builder through the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation for his esteemed dedication and faithful service to MEFCU as a board of director since 2005. The strategic vision and leadership Kurth has provided through times of considerable growth and expansion of the credit union's product line and branch office development has been key to the financial and strategic success of the organization.

Matt Daniels, member advisor II at the $1.9 billion Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union based in St. Paul, Minn., was named a Top 20 Under 40 Young Professional by the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and Echo Press.Daniels and other recipients will be honored by the chamber and community newspaper at the chamber's annual banquet and celebration.

Daniels has worked at Affinity Plus for five years, first as a member advisor and teller, then advancing to operations, compliance and now consumer lending.

The $315 million INOVA Federal Credit Union in Elkhart, Ind., promoted Joseph Messenger to vice president of finance. Messenger has been with INOVA Federal Credit Union for 11 years and has more than 19 years of experience in accounting and finance in the local area. He is a graduate of Indiana University with a bachelor of accounting degree.

WEST

The $1.2 billion Altura Credit Union in Riverside, Calif., selected Jennifer Binkley (pictured) to succeed long-time CEO Mark Hawkins as president/CEO. Binkley has been with Altura for 14 years, the last nine as EVP and COO. Before that, she was president of Altura's award-winning auto locating and buying service, Auto Expert. Altura announced in May 2016 that Hawkins, who has been CEO since 1988, planned to step down in February 2017.

The $1.7 billion Numerica Credit Union in Spokane, Wash., hired three employees. Deanna Hildenbrand was hired as AVP for marketing and communications. She joins the team with more than 21 years of experience, with a specialty in brand strategy and management in marketing and corporate communications. She has a passion for helping others and serves on the Children's Health Council.

Chris Palm was hired as senior loan officer. He has more than 13 years of experience in the insurance industry and spent the last two years in the financial industry. Most recently, Palm was a loan officer for 1st Security Bank of Washington.

Cheryl Sands, the senior-most teller at the $1.3 billion Whitefish Credit Union in Whitefish, Mont., is retiring after 20 years of service. Sands began her career in 1996 at the Columbia Falls office of Whitefish, Montana's largest credit union. Born and raised there, her firsthand knowledge of the community and local members made Sands an invaluable asset for the branch.

Rick Dahmen was hired as external senior loan officer in the home loan center. Dahmen has 17 years of experience in the lending field and is skilled in new residential construction lending and is certified by the Foundations of Real Estate Evaluation and Appraising. He offers a wide variety of home loan expertise including FHA, Veterans Affairs and conventional.

SOUTH

The $1 billion DuPont Community Credit Union in Waynesboro, Va., hired Tara Smith as chief retail officer. Smith will lead DCCU's retail business operations, marketing and community development efforts. Prior to accepting this position, she served as the vice president of retail at thee $636 million Orion Federal Credit Union in Memphis, Tenn., where she was responsible for retail, training, marketing and business development.

The $2.4 billion Keesler Federal Credit Union in Biloxi, Miss., promoted George Mitchell to EVP and COO. He now serves as the second in command to the president/CEO, Andy Swoger, who was hired in June 2016. For more than 35 years, Mitchell has held management positions in the financial industry, including 14 years at the $20 billion Pentagon Federal Credit Union in Alexandria, Va., and seven years at the $2.2 billion Apple Federal Credit Union in Fairfax, Va.

CUSOs

CU Companies hired David Hillert as senior underwriting counsel. Hillert brings more than 29 years of experience in real estate law, including experience in commercial title underwriting and with complex large multistate and multi-site commercial transactions. Previously, he worked at Commercial Partners Title in Minneapolis, where he was vice president/senior underwriting counsel.

Please send your People news items to Tahira Hayes at thayes@cutimes.com.

Instant Insights /

Numerica CU, DuPont Community CU Make New Hires

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