WEST
The $10.3 billion, Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Ent Credit Union hired Sonia Perez as manager of retail development for Colorado’s San Luis Valley. In her new role, she will lead Ent’s new service center in Alamosa, Colo., which is currently under construction and is expected to open in November 2025. The center will offer a full range of financial services and serve as a hub for community engagement and financial education. Perez most recently served as executive director of Alamosa’s Small Business Development Center.
EAST
The $9 billion, Harrisburg, Pa.-based PSECU hired Warren Pattison as vice president of digital experience. In his new role, Pattison will lead digital banking teams spanning product management, innovation, journey-mapping design and member experience. His responsibilities will encompass the full spectrum of digital member interactions – from acquisition and onboarding through everyday banking – working to create seamless, personalized experiences that connect every touchpoint. Pattison brings more than 15 years of experience building and leading digital innovation teams, having most recently served at Alliant Credit Union ($19.9 billion, Chicago) as head of digital product and most recently as general manager of digital servicing. He previously served as vice president of emerging technology and innovation at United Federal Credit Union ($4.2 billion, St. Joseph, Mich.) and in marketing leadership roles JP Morgan Chase. He has completed executive education programs in financial technology from Cornell University and innovation management from Northwestern University.
The $3.3 billion, Pawtucket, R.I.-based Coastal1 Credit Union announced two promotions and two new hires.
Rich Hall was promoted to SVP/information technology. In his new role, he has overall responsibility for the technical stability, security and performance of the credit union’s technical infrastructure in relation to internal and external-facing technologies. Hall has been with the credit union for 26 years, most recently serving as vice president/IT.
Scott Handren was promoted to assistant vice president/business analyst. Handren has over 18 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been with Coastal1 for over 12 years. He joined the credit union’s Enterprise Program Management Office in 2023 and has played a key role in initiatives focused on process improvement, cross-functional collaboration and strategic planning.
Brenda Cunningham was hired as vice president/internal audit. In her new role, she will play a key part in ensuring that proper internal controls and frameworks are in position to monitor daily business activities, reporting to the credit union’s Supervisory Committee. Cunningham brings nearly 30 years of experience in the accounting and internal auditing fields, having most recently served as SVP of audit at Citizens Financial Group.
Bethany Bishop was hired as assistant vice president/loan servicing. In her new role, she leads a team responsible for managing the day-to-day mortgage and consumer loan servicing operations while facilitating improvements in efficiency, streamlining processes and enhancing service quality. Bishop brings over 15 years of experience in the banking industry, having most recently served as loan servicing manager at Navigant Credit Union ($3.9 billion, Smithfield, R.I.).
MIDWEST
The $1.8 billion, Warren, Ohio-based 7 17 Credit Union hired Brian Williams as SVP, market executive – Western region. He brings a wealth of experience in community development and financial services, having most recently served as SVP in community development banking at PNC Bank, where he led efforts to drive meaningful impact through financial inclusion and local investment. In his new role, Williams will lead strategic efforts to expand member engagement, strengthen community partnerships and deliver on 7 17’s promise to support financial wellness in every corner of the region. He holds an MBA from Kent State University in Kent, Ohio.
SOUTH
The $1.4 billion, Columbia, S.C.-based Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union announced two new hires.
Michelle Hardy was hired as general counsel and chief administrative officer. Hardy brings more than two decades of legal and administrative organizational leadership, having most recently served as vice president for advancement at the Central Carolina Community Foundation. She has also held numerous leadership positions at the University of South Carolina and Newberry College. In her new role, she oversees legal, corporate compliance, human resources and administrative functions, while serving as a key advisor to the CEO and board of directors.
The $1.2 billion, San Antonio, Texas-based Firstmark Credit Union hired Cynthia Crouch as chief experience officer, effective Sept. 2. She will succeed current chief experience officer Gregg Thorne, who is set to retire at the end of the year.
Crouch brings over 20 years of leadership experience in the financial services industry to Firstmark, having most recently served at Sound Credit Union ($3 billion, Tacoma, Wash.) as vice president of payments and operations, a role she has held since June 2019. She previously served as director of call center operations at Qualstar Credit Union ($872 million, Bothell, Wash.) and director of relationship services at Woodstone Credit Union (Federal Way, Wash.), where she oversaw branch and contact center operations. Her areas of specialty have included branch and contact center transformation, payment systems modernization, compliance and strategic partnerships.
VENDORS
Gina Hortatsos was hired as chief marketing officer. In her new role, Hortatsos leads DefenseStorm’s marketing and community strategy, aiming to expand market reach, strengthen brand awareness and deepen client engagement. She brings over 25 years of enterprise technology marketing experience, having previously led teams at HackerOne, LogicGate, FourKites, Hyland, SAP, Oracle and Hyperion.
Please send your People news items to Natasha Chilingerian at nchilingerian@cutimes.com.
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