This past week, six credit unions revealed hires, promotions and appointments, while one credit union mourned the sudden loss of its CEO. Read on for the latest People news.

WEST

$1.7 billion Vantage West Credit Union in Tucson, Ariz., appointed Jeff Post to serve as an associate director on the Vantage West Board of Directors. As former president/CEO of CUNA Mutual Group, Post brings a wealth of leadership experience and professional achievements, personal integrity, and willingness to serve and provide valuable insight in support of the board's objectives.

EAST

The $890 million St. Mary's Bank in Manchester, N.H., announced the election of Kara L. Fontaine, CPA to a one-year term on the St. Mary's Bank supervisory committee, an independent body that oversees the credit union's management and board of directors. Fontaine also serves on the audit committee for the Granite YMCA. Fontaine is a principal at accounting firm Howe, Riley & Howe, PLLC, where her work includes audits, reviews and compilations for various clients, including membership organizations and not-for-profits.

Terra Perry (pictured) joined the $141 million Western Division Federal Credit Union in Williamsville, N.Y., as lending manager. Perry previously worked at Summit Federal Credit Union and prior to that, Evans Bank. She brings more than 16 years of experience and will be responsible for mortgage lending, loan underwriting, collections and lender compliance.

The $314 million First New York Federal Credit Union in Albanyin N.Y., promoted Alaina Baldwin to accounting associate. Baldwin was previously an accounting specialist at First New York's headquarters. She has been with First New York since 2011. She began her career as a part-time teller at First New York's Rotterdam branch and was promoted to full-time teller in 2012.

SOUTH

Douglas Samuels, president/CEO of the $4 billion Space Coast Credit Union based in Melbourne, Fla., died unexpectedly May 12, 2017 at the age of 57. Samuels originally joined SCCU in 1991 as the vice president of information systems, and he has served as the credit union's president/CEO since 1997. In response to Samuel's sudden passing, Timothy M. Antonition, EVP, COO was appointed as acting CEO.

The $1 billion SAFE Federal Credit Union in Sumter, S.C., hired Jennifer Michaels as vice president of risk management, a new position at the credit union.

Michaels is a lawyer who most recently served as general counsel and compliance director at the $829 million Park Community Credit Union in Kentucky. At SAFE, she oversees information security, compliance and loan review and focuses on mitigating regulatory and compliance risk.

MIDWEST

The $734 million Honor Credit Union in Berrien Springs, Mich., promoted five team members to branch managers across greater Southwest Michigan. All employees were assistant branch managers prior to accepting these new roles.

Jami Swihart (pictured) was promoted to Decatur branch manager. Swihart has worked at the credit union since 2008 and has worked in roles including teller, account specialist and assistant branch manager.

Jeanne Meyer was promoted to Niles Branch manager. Meyer has worked at the credit union for 21 years.

Sarah Barker was promoted to Stevensville Branch manager. Baker has worked at the credit union since 2011. In that time, she's been a teller, account specialist and assistant branch manager.

Nichole Dunkerley was promoted to Paw Paw Branch manager. Dunkerley started at the credit union as an account specialist in 2013 and later held the role of assistant branch manager.

Andrew Cleminshaw was promoted to Benton Harbor Branch Manager. Cleminshaw has worked at the credit union for three years, originally working in the member solutions center as an account specialist. He later advanced to assistant branch manager of the Stevensville branch.

TRADES

Defense Credit Union Council appointed Anthony R. Hernandez (Tony) to president/CEO on Aug. 1, 2017, after the retirement of Roland “Arty” Arteaga. Hernandez joined DCUC as its COO on Aug. 9, 2016. Since his arrival at DCUC, Hernandez successfully fielded a guide on the new DoD Blended Retirement System, worked with member credit unions on Military Lending Act rules, offered comments on the department's personal commercial solicitation policy, bolstered the Council's emphasis on financial education and spearheaded the Council's five-year strategic plan.

VENDORS

Meyer-Chatfield Group appointed Michael Downey managing director to the credit union division effective May 1, 2017. Downey has more than 25 years of successful experience helping credit unions and corporations with insurance and investment strategies including working the last 11 years with CUNA Mutual. Downey serves on the dedicated credit union team and is responsible for engaging new clients and assuring existing customers are provided with the best cutting-edge solutions. He works with financial institutions to enhance the firm's earnings and/or to reduce their risk by offering Meyer-Chatfield Group's suite of insurance and executive compensation-based products.

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

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SAFE FCU, Honor CU, Others Hire and Promote

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