WEST

The $2 billion, Spokane Valley, Wash.-based Horizon Credit Union promoted Stefanie Robinson to SVP of member experience. Robinson has served the credit union for more than two decades, most recently as vice president of marketing and digital strategy. In her new role, Robinson will oversee member engagement initiatives, helping to shape the way Horizon delivers personalized service across all channels. She will also collaborate closely with departments across the organization to enhance member satisfaction, deepen relationships and support sustainable growth.

Stefanie Robinson

The $28.8 billion, Tukwila, Wash.-based BECU hired Carla Costa-Perales as EVP and chief impact officer. In her new role, Costa-Perales will lead the teams driving BECU’s social impact, equity, inclusion and belonging, communications and government relations work. Before joining BECU, Costa-Perales served as vice president of communications, marketing, consumer experience and community health at Kaiser Permanente Washington. Prior to Kaiser Permanente, she held leadership roles at PATH, a global public health organization, and the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian crisis response organization. She also founded Highway Twenty, a strategy and communications agency, and served as president. Additionally, Costa-Perales is an affiliate instructor at the University of Washington.

Carla Costa Perales

The $2.1 billion, San Jose, Calif.-based Meriwest Credit Union promoted Gene Fichtenholz to vice president, chief technology officer. He succeeded Lina Hess, who retired on Oct. 31, 2025. Fichtenholz has been with Meriwest for over 30 years, including more than 12 years in management. Most recently, he served as vice president, digital innovations. He also served as assistant vice president, information technology, with responsibility for data architecture and business intelligence. In his new role, he will oversee both IT and digital innovations, spearheading Meriwest’s ongoing digital transformation and commitment to operational excellence with a strong emphasis on advancing AI-driven solutions to enhance member experiences and operational efficiency.

Gene Fichtenholz

The $34.4 billion, Tustin, Calif.-based SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union hired Michael Pfau as SVP of digital experience. With more than one million members using online and mobile banking each month, Pfau and his team will focus on these crucial digital platforms to meet the evolving needs of credit union members. He brings deep expertise in digital strategy, product development and scalable infrastructure transformation, having most recently served as the chief digital officer at Axos Financial. As a financial services executive, he has led the design and launch of proprietary banking platforms, driven digital-first initiatives and built high-performing teams to support rapid growth. Pfau holds a master of science in finance from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

Michael Pfau

EAST

Patrice Forbes

Patrice Forbes, director of marketing for the $317 million, Bowie, Md.-based Prince George’s Community Federal Credit Union, was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce (MBCC). As director of marketing for PGCFCU, Forbes has been instrumental in leading initiatives that empower local businesses, strengthen community partnerships and promote economic growth. She also brings experience as a Board Member of the Recording Academy’s Washington, D.C. Chapter. In her new role, Forbes will collaborate with fellow board members to advance MBCC’s growing portfolio of programs and initiatives, including the Chamber’s Leadership Academy, Nonprofit Academy and upcoming AI Academy. She will also support MBCC’s expanding membership and help strengthen partnerships with organizations such as Prince George’s FSC First, Prince Geroge’ EDC, Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation, The City of Frederick, Hagerstown Community College and Harbor Bank of Maryland, to name a few.

Lucy Halstead

Lucy Halstead, president/CEO for the $504 million, Albany, N.Y.-based First New York Federal Credit Union, will retire in early 2026 after more than two decades at the credit union. She will remain CEO while First New York’s Board of Directors conducts a national search for her successor. Halstead joined First New York in 1998 as vice president of operations. She assumed the role of SVP and COO in 2006, and became president/CEO in 2013. During her tenure, Halstead has overseen numerous initiatives to improve the member experience, including developing innovative digital banking solutions and expanding branch locations. Halstead attended the Stonier Graduate School of Banking program designed for financial professionals, sits on the Board of Trustees for Catholic Charities Tri-County Services and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Capital Region Chamber Foundation.

MIDWEST

Shelley Engleman

The $1.8 billion, Warren, Ohio-based 7 17 Credit Union promoted Shelley Engleman to EVP and chief risk officer. In her new role, Engleman will serve as 7 17’s second-in-command and sole EVP. Her overall responsibility includes overseeing internal audit; compliance; fraud and risk; corporate insurance; business continuity; legal, governance and outreach; and enterprise risk management. She previously served as SVP of risk management and has been with 7 17 for 37 years. Engleman has earned several auditing and risk management designations, including the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) designation, the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation, the Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) designation and the Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA). 

SOUTH

Michael Borman

The $394 million, San Antonio, Fla.-based San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union hired Michael C. Borman as chief lending officer. He brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in retail, consumer, mortgage and commercial lending, having previously held senior leadership roles with Acadia Federal Credit Union ($392 million, Fort Kent, Maine), Jetstream Federal Credit Union ($269 million, Miami Lakes, Fla.) and Family First Credit Union ($133 million, Hapeville, Ga.). Earlier in his career, Borman held regional leadership positions with Fifth Third Bank and Wells Fargo. In his new role, he will lead the credit union’s lending strategy across all loan portfolios, with an emphasis on sustainable growth, risk-balanced decision-making and long-term member value.

CUSOS

Bill Nikolauk

Bill Nikolauk, president/CEO for 1st Community Federal Credit Union ($408 million, San Angelo, Texas), was appointed to serve as a board member for the CUSO CU*Answers in Grand Rapids, Mich. Nikolauk has served as an associate board member for CU*Answers for the past two years, and will serve a term ending Sept. 20, 2026.

VENDORS

Boyce Adams

FIntegrate Technology, a Birmingham, Ala.-based provider of solutions that automate and simplify collections, recoveries and transaction disputes for financial institutions, welcomed Boyce Adams as a partner. Adams brings more than 20 years of experience in fintech and B2B software operations to FIntegrate. He previously led BankTEL as president/CEO, growing the company to serve more than 2,000 financial institutions with its suite of accounting and compliance automation products. Following BankTEL’s acquisition by AvidXchange, Adams served as SVP, helping guide the company through its $4.9 billion IPO and serving as executive sponsor of AvidXchange’s strategic relationship with Mastercard. He also serves on the Board of Directors of OnPhase, a leading AP automation and payments company.

Please send your People news items to Natasha Chilingerian at nchilingerian@cutimes.com.

NOT FOR REPRINT

© Arc, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to TMSalesOperations@arc-network.com. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.