Steven Leafgreen was promoted to president/CEO after the retirement of John Balser, who served as chief executive for 27 years. Leafgreen began his career at Western Vista in June 2010 as the vice president of financial services. He was promoted to EVP in preparation for his transition to the president/CEO position. Leafgreen has nearly 20 years of banking and management experience.

Yvonne McGee was promoted to SVP of financial operations. McGee, who has worked at the credit union for more than 16 years, has served in numerous roles, including senior accounting clerk, accounting manager, vice president of accounting and, most recently, vice president of financial operations. She oversees and directs the strategic and tactical activities of accounting, operations, compliance, human resources and CUSO activities.

Russell West was promoted to SVP of information technology. West has worked for Western Vista for more than five years, most recently as the vice president of information technology. He is responsible for strategic alignment of technology with credit union business goals and objectives. Over the course of his career, West has served in numerous IT and supervisory roles. Ann Nelson was hired as SVP of financial services and lending. She most recently served as director of corporate development and major gifts at the Laramie County Community College Foundation. She has nearly three decades of banking experience and has served in high-profile management positions throughout the region.

Lorrell Walter was hired as vice president of marketing and member experience. Walter brings with her nearly 17 years of marketing and communications experience. She most recently served as the public relations and marketing manager for the High West Energy family of companies in Pine Bluffs, Wyo.

SOUTH

The $512 million First Commerce Credit Union in Tallahassee, Fla., promoted John Medina to SVP, chief experience officer. In his expanded role, Medina will provide leadership to First Commerce's operations teams and member delivery channels. He will also continue to oversee business services and continue to act as the program manager for Six Pillars Financial Advisors, a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Commerce Insurance Agency. He brings more than 25 years of broad leadership and experience to the position.

Chad Burney, SVP, chief information officer and COO of the $1.8 billion GTE Financial in Tampa, Fla., was appointed director of partnerships for Tighten the Drag Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit that supports individuals who have suffered catastrophic spinal cord injuries through scholarships, rehabilitative therapy and recreational therapy activities. Burney suffered a spine injury and wants to use this as an opportunity to tell his story and give back.

MIDWEST

The $1.9 billion Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union in St. Paul, Minn., promoted Jonathan Burns to vice president of digital services. His hiring completes Affinity Plus' strategy to recruit and hire leaders for its vital digital, phone and branch services. Burns comes to Minnesota from the United Kingdom and previous roles at Barclays Bank in London.

The $853 million Community Choice Credit Union in Farmington Hills, Mich., announced the approval of Lauren Fabbri, Kayla Roney Smith and Larry Campbell to the Community Choice Foundation Board of Trustees.

Lauren Fabbri is director of account services at Austin Benefits Group, a Michigan-based employee benefits agency. After joining Austin Benefits, Fabbri quickly ascended to a leadership position where she manages a team of benefits advisors who help clients navigate the often confusing world of insurance.

Kayla Roney Smith has spent more than four years as executive director of the Hazel Park Promise Zone and College Access Network, an organization dedicated to community development through increased educational attainment. Previously, Roney Smith served as a College Advising Corps member and a program coordinator for the Lansing-based Todd Martin Youth Leadership.

Larry Campbell is the owner of Century 21 Campbell Realty in Madison Heights, a full service residential/commercial/REO brokerage. He is also the owner of Campbell Commercial Group, which initiates and manages the site selection, acquisition and development of real estate locations within the Midwestern United States.