EAST
The $1.4 billion, Worcester, Mass.-based Webster First Federal Credit Union announced two promotions.
Bryan T. Regele was promoted to SVP and chief loan officer, succeeding former chief loan officer Talat Mufti. Regele began his career at Webster First as a credit analyst in commercial lending in 2011. By 2014, he had advanced to credit officer and junior commercial loan officer, completing the Massachusetts Bankers Association School of Commercial Lending and earning his certificate that same year. He progressed to assistant vice president and commercial loan officer in 2018. In 2019, Regele completed the NAFCU Management and Leadership Institute program and was promoted to vice president of commercial lending. Most recently, in 2025, he advanced to SVP of commercial lending. What's more, in 2024, he received Webster First's inaugural President's Award. In his new role, Regele will oversee all lending divisions and their operations, working closely with current leadership during the transition period to ensure continued excellence across all lending functions.
Michael Langlois was promoted to vice president of compliance and internal audit. Langlois joined Webster First in 2014 as an internal auditor. He was promoted to internal auditing supervisor in 2017, assistant vice president of internal auditing in 2022 and vice president of internal audit in 2024. Throughout his tenure, he has earned certifications including Certified Credit Union Compliance Officer (CUCO) from America's Credit Unions in 2019 and Certified Credit Union Internal Auditor (CCUIA) in 2025. He also completed the NAFCU Management and Leadership program in 2017. In his new, expanded role, Langlois will serve as the primary authority on the credit union's compliance matters, advising on all compliance aspects throughout operations. His responsibilities will include managing all organizational policies, overseeing vendor relationships and their due diligence processes, and serving as chairman of the credit union's Fair Lending Committee.
MIDWEST
The $952 million, Indianapolis, Ind.-based Financial Center promoted Adrian Phillips to vice president of business intelligence. In his new role, he will continue leading the Business Intelligence team and advancing the credit union's enterprise data strategy. Phillips has more than 20 years of experience in business intelligence, marketing strategy and analytics. In addition to his leadership at Financial Center, he held client insights and senior marketing strategy roles earlier in his career. Most recently, he served as assistant vice president of business intelligence for Financial Center. He holds an MBA from Anderson University in Anderson, S.C.
SOUTH
Susan Song, chief marketing officer for the $5.1 billion, Biloxi, Miss.-based Keesler Federal Credit Union, was named to Ragan's Top Women in Communications Class of 2026. Song was selected as one of the Top 10 women communications executives in the nation in the "Change Agent" category. Song and the other winners will be honored at Ragan's awards luncheon in New York on March 3. In her role at Keesler, Song modernized the credit union's marketing organization by implementing marketing technology to improve measurement, personalization and cross-channel decision-making. She also elevated the Keesler Federal brand through a refreshed, more legible and differentiated brand identity by enhancing branch signage and driving market expansion by activating the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans sponsorship.
The $182 million, Bishop, Texas-based Chemcel Federal Credit Union announced that its President/CEO Michael Engel will retire in the fourth quarter of this year, concluding nearly two decades of leadership. Engel joined Chemcel in 2007 when the credit union held approximately $50 million in assets. The Board of Directors has engaged D. Hilton Associates, Inc. to conduct a nationwide search for Chemcel's next president/CEO. Engel will remain in his role through the fourth quarter to ensure a smooth and seamless leadership transition.
Dee Crisp, president/CEO for the $187 million, Austin, Texas-based Government Employees Federal Credit Union (GEFCU), announced he will retire on Dec. 31, 2026, after leading the credit union for 13 years. Crisp was named president/CEO of GEFCU in December 2013, joining from United SA Federal Credit Union, where he served as vice president of finance. During his tenure at GEFCU, his accomplishments have included completing an IT environment modernization and instituting a credit card program over a 17-month period, as well as making improvements to operations and structure that led to several years of strong financial performance, culminating in the ability to pay an extraordinary dividend to members at the end of 2025. The Board of Directors has selected JSpire Recruiting to conduct a search for the next president/CEO.
The $2.7 billion, Pensacola, Fla.-based PenAir Credit Union hired Jeffrey Long as mortgage sales manager. Long brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in mortgage lending, sales growth strategy and multi-state team development, having most recently served as a banker for Wings Financial Credit Union (now the $9.9 billion, Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Ent Credit Union). His background also includes leadership roles with Wells Fargo, Prime Lending/Fairway IMC and HomeServices of America/Edina Realty Mortgage. In his new role, Long will lead PenAir's mortgage sales strategy, focusing on expanding market reach, strengthening lending relationships, and supporting teams that deliver a best-in-class homebuying experience for members.
TRADES
Karen Harbin, president/CEO of the $2.7 billion, Frankfort, Ky.-based Commonwealth Credit Union, was announced as the new chair of the America's Credit Unions Board of Directors. Harbin will serve a one-year term. Her appointment was announced during the Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC), held in Washington, D.C. March 1-5.
LEAGUES
The American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) recognized two individuals with the 2026 Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award during America's Credit Unions' GAC: William J. Mellin, president/CEO of the New York Credit Union Association (NYCUA), and Justin Hupfer, SVP of government affairs for the Iowa Credit Union League (ICUL) and CEO of PolicyWorks. The awards honor a league president and credit union league/association professional who demonstrate visionary leadership at both the state and national levels, deliver superior organizational performance, strengthen services, foster cooperation, and exemplify integrity and commitment to purpose.
Mellin has been with NYCUA for 32 years and has served as president/CEO since 2000. In this role, he provides oversight of the Association and its affiliated entities, including OwnersChoice Funding, UsNet Shared Branching and the New York Credit Union Foundation.
Hupfer has dedicated more than 25 years to advancing Iowa credit unions and strengthening the national credit union movement. In his dual role leading ICUL advocacy and serving as CEO of PolicyWorks, a wholly-owned ICUL subsidiary he helped found more than 20 years ago, he has built a nationally recognized advocacy and public affairs model.
Please send your People news items to Natasha Chilingerian at natasha.chilingerian@arc-network.com.
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