Ten credit union across the nation announced news about theiremployees this week, from new CEO appointments to executiverecognitions to promotions. Check out the latest People newshere.

WEST

The $643 million AltaOne Federal CreditUnion in Ridgecrest, Calif., named PamEasley president/CEO. She joins the AltaOne team directlyfrom Extensia Financial LLC, one of the nation's largest commercialand business lending CUSOs, where she served as its president/CEO.Easley led rebranding and market efforts while expanding the CUSO'sservice offerings to enable close partnerships with credit unionsto implement key commercial and business lending strategiesnationwide.

The $954 million iQ Credit Union in Vancouver,Wash., hired Shelan Stritzke as human resourcesmanager. In this role, Stritzke will oversee the human resourcespolicies and programs from recruiting and new hire onboarding toemployee benefits and performance management. With more than eightyears of employment, recruiting and human resources experience,with five of those years specifically within the credit unionindustry, Stritzke is a seasoned professional and knowledgeableexpert.

CUNA named Michelle Pagni, EVP of humanresources at the $8.1 billion San Diego County CreditUnion in San Diego, a 2017 Credit Union Rock Star. Pagniwas recognized for her impressive work as part of the leadershipteam at SDCCU, overseeing all functions of human resources,including organizational planning, training, employment,compensation, benefits, safety and health and employeeservices.

The $790 million Kirtland Federal Credit Unionin Albuquerque, N.M., announced Tom Shoemaker wasselected as interim president/CEO, replacing DavidSeely who will be on paid leave until his retirementon March 1, 2018. Shoemaker will lead the organization with anew strategic plan that is being developed as a result of thedecision made earlier in the year not to merge with the $2.4billion Sandia Laboratory Federal Credit Union in Albuquerque.Seely will continue his involvement with community organizationsand non-profits. Seely started with Kirtland as president/CEO onMarch 1, 1990, when the cooperative institution held about $80million in assets.

EAST

The $6.2 billion ESL Federal Credit Unionin Rochester, N.Y., promoted Nurcan Sarbudak tocredit reporting specialist.Sarbudak has more than 20 years ofcredit union experience and brings her strong communications,operations knowledge and technical expertise to her newrole. Sarbudak holds a bachelor's degree in marketingmanagement from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

The $600 million Align Credit Union in Lowell,Mass., hired Jacklyn Pichardo as branch manager atthe new Wilmington location at 211G Lowell Street, next to Lucci'ssupermarket.

The branch is scheduled to open on Nov. 1. As branch manager,she will oversee daily operations, business development and memberservice. Pichardo has been in the financial industry for more thansix years and is licensed by NMLS.

The Daily Record recognized JohnHamilton, president/CEO of the $1.2 billionMECU in Baltimore, among the region's most admiredCEOs. The award honors Maryland business executives whoseleadership and success have earned them respect and admirationamong their peers and employees. Hamilton was one of six executivesrecognized in the nonprofit organizations with more than $10million in annual revenue category.

MIDWEST

The $1.3 billion Corporate Central CreditUnion in Muskego, Wis., promoted FredBlask to vice president of risk strategy and execution. Inhis new role, Blask will lead Corporate Central's enterprise riskmanagement strategies, maintain the compliance culture, andcoordinate internal audits and regulatory exams. Blask will alsoresearch, analyze and evaluate members' business needs and, throughcross-functional team efforts, work to form strategic initiativesthat address those needs.

The $957 million SPIRE Credit Union in FalconHeights, Minn., promoted two employees.

Sara Engblom (pictured) was promoted to Morabranch manager. Engblom began her career with GreaterMinnesota Credit Union, now SPIRE, as member servicesrepresentative in 2012. She has also worked in card services, humanresources/administration and investment services.

Michelle Smutka was promoted to assistantbranch manager of SPIRE's Mora branch. Smutka began her career atSPIRE in 2015 as a financial services officer in Milaca. She bringsmore than 25 years of experience to the position. Prior to joiningSPIRE, Smutka had a variety of experience including branchmanagement, lending management, cash management/business bankingand mortgage lending.

SOUTH

Joe Mecca, assistant vice president,communication at the $2.9 billion Coastal CreditUnion in Raleigh, N.C., was honored as the 2017 publicrelations pro of the year at the 2017 Sir Walter Raleigh Awards forExcellence in Communication. In his role as assistant vicepresident, communication, Mecca serves as company spokesman and isintegral to the credit union's public relations, corporatecommunication and political affairs functions. Mecca is alsofocused on ensuring that employees and members are wellinformed.

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