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MIDWEST
Noelle Robinson The $746 million Members First Credit Union in Midland, Mich., announced one promotion and one retirement.
Noelle Robinson was promoted to the credit union's leadership team as vice president of culture and employee development. Robinson has been with Members First for 19 years and most recently served as director of branch operations. Her previous leadership roles at Members First included sales and service manager and culture and employee development director.
Pam Ayers Recommended For You
Vice President of Lending Pam Ayers announced her retirement after more than 33 years of service to Members First. Ayers joined the credit union in 1988 as one of about five employees, all of whom held the same title of "credit union employee." As the credit union grew, she served as a loan officer and lending manager before becoming vice president of lending. Ayers' career highlights at Members First have included helping to launch the credit union's mortgage department, create its signature Whatever Loan in 2008 to assist members during the recession, and develop Members First's home equity lines of credit, indirect lending program and in-house gift cards. She also served on the International Credit Association Board and helped teach credit basics in area schools.
The $3.8 billion Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union in St. Paul, Minn., announced two new hires.
Mahesh Marepalli Mahesh Marepalli was hired to the leadership team as vice president of data strategy, governance and analytics. In his new role, Marepalli will guide Affinity Plus' larger business decisions by utilizing data analysis. Marepalli brings more than 25 years of experience in enterprise resource planning, business intelligence implementations and large-scale financial transformations. Before joining Affinity Plus, he worked at the Maryland Department of Health, AmerisourceBergen and Deloitte in similar senior roles. He graduated from India's University of Hyderabad with a master's of science in statistics and later from the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi with a doctorate in mathematics and computer science.
Jake Kuester Jake Kuester was hired to the leadership team as director of business services. In his new role, Kuester will help businesses stay adaptable and innovative through commercial and small business lending, deposit services, and business development strategies and tools. He will also oversee all of Affinity Plus' new member acquisition. Kuester has spent his entire career working in financial services. Before joining Affinity Plus, he worked at the Community Reinvestment Fund, Wells Fargo and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. He holds an MBA in finance and management from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul.
SOUTH
Jeff Chelius The $5.8 billion Vizo Financial Corporate Credit Union in Greensboro, N.C., named seven board members at its virtual annual meeting on June 15. No election was held, as Vizo received just three nominations to fill three board seats.
Jeff Chelius, an incumbent, was approved for a three-year term and appointed vice chair. Chelium is CFO for the $274 million, Wyomissing, Pa.-based Riverfront Federal Credit Union.
Derek Fuzzell was approved for a three-year term. Fuzzell is chief financial and strategy officer for the $290 million, Washington, D.C.-based PAHO/WHO Federal Credit Union.
Derek Fuzzell Scott Woods, an incumbent, was approved for a three-year term and appointed chair. Woods is president/CEO for the $2.4 billion South Carolina Federal Credit Union in North Charleston, S.C.
Scott Woods Daniel Berry was appointed treasurer. Berry is CEO of the $204 million Duke University Federal Credit Union in Durham, N.C.
Daniel Berry Genice DeCorte was appointed secretary. DeCorte is CEO of the $48.9 million HealthShare Credit Union in Greensboro, N.C.
Genice DeCorte Sue DeStephano was appointed to serve as a non-voting associate director. DeStephano is president/CEO for the $320 million First Capital Federal Credit Union in York, Pa.
Sue DeStephano Brian Hedgepeth was appointed to serve as a non-voting associate director. Hedgepeth is president/CEO for the $247 million Bronco Federal Credit Union in Franklin, Va. The two non-voting associate directors are part of a new program adopted by the board of directors to provide a greater opportunity for diverse representation at the governance level.
Brian Hedgepeth LEAGUES
David Desjardins The Maine Credit Union League named officers for its 2022-2023 board of directors.
David Desjardins, with the League's Aroostook County Chapter of Credit Unions, will serve as the new chair. Desjardins is president/CEO for the $295 million Acadia Federal Credit Union in Fort Kent.
John Doe, with the League's Northern Penobscot Chapter of Credit Unions, will serve as the new vice chair. Doe has served on the board for the $74.5 million Eastmill Federal Credit Union in East Millinocket.
John Doe Basil Closson, with the League's Bangor Chapter of Credit Unions, will continue to serve as secretary. Closson is president/CEO for the $224 million Bangor Federal Credit Union in Bangor.
Basil Closson Christine Devine, with the League's Kennebec Valley Chapter of Credit Unions, will continue to serve as treasurer. Devine is president of the $124 million K V Federal Credit Union in Augusta.
Christine Devine Please send your People news items to Natasha Chilingerian at [email protected].
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Natasha Chilingerian
Natasha Chilingerian has been immersed in the credit union industry for over a decade. She first joined CU Times in 2011 as a freelance writer, and following a two-year hiatus from 2013-2015, during which time she served as a communications specialist for Xceed Financial Credit Union (now Kinecta Federal Credit Union), she re-joined the CU Times team full-time as managing editor. She was promoted to executive editor in 2019. In the earlier days of her career, Chilingerian focused on news and lifestyle journalism, serving as a writer and editor for numerous regional publications in Oregon, Louisiana, South Carolina and the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, she holds experience in marketing copywriting for companies in the finance and technology space. At CU Times, she covers People and Community news, cybersecurity, fintech partnerships, marketing, workplace culture, leadership, DEI, branch strategies, digital banking and more. She currently works remotely and splits her time between Southern California and Portland, Ore.
