WEST
The $2.7 billion, Burbank, Calif.-based Partners Federal Credit Union promoted Brian Kairnes to EVP, chief risk and lending officer. Kairnes has led Partners' lending division for the past 18 months, driving improvements in structure, alignment and operational efficiency to support sustainable growth and exceptional member experiences. In his expanded role, he continues to oversee enterprise risk, where his forward‑looking approach has reinforced safety, soundness and discipline across the credit union.
EAST
The $2.4 billion, Littleton, Mass.-based Workers Credit Union (WCU) announced one new hire and five promotions.
Jessica Favreau was hired as vice president, commercial lending officer. She brings more than a decade of banking experience, having previously served in similar roles at Dean Bank, Bay State Savings Bank, Clinton Savings Bank and UniBank for Savings. She earned an MBA from the New England College of Business and currently serves as treasurer of the Worcester, Mass., chapter of Girls on the Run and West Boylstons Community Nursery School. She is also the current alumni president for Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester.
Kathleen Cote was promoted to vice president, small business development manager. Cote has been with WCU since 2021 and has more than 30 years of banking experience. At WCU, she leads the SBA lending program. She attended the New England Banking Institute and is a graduate of the Management Development program.
John Decker was promoted to vice president, senior commercial lending officer. Decker joined WCU two years ago and has more than 25 years of experience in commercial lending and relationship management. He previously worked at Bank Five, Fleet Bank, GE Capital and Unibank for Savings. He is also on the fundraising committee for Old Colony YMCA and is an alumni ambassador for Syracuse University.
Glenn Davis was promoted to vice president, commercial lending officer. Davis has worked at the credit union for nearly five years and has 20 years of commercial banking experience. He previously held at TD Bank, Northeast Community Bank and Cambridge Trust Company. He also graduated from New England College of Finance and is a volunteer financial literacy teacher for Launch Space Inc.
Alison Isaksen was promoted to vice president commercial lending officer. She joined WCU in 2024. Prior to that, Isaken worked at State Street Bank & Trust and Enterprise Bank. She also serves as treasurer on the Board of Directors for Positive Street Art.
Catherine Comerford was promoted to assistant vice president, business banking development officer after four years with the credit union. She has prior experience at GFA Federal Credit Union ($760 million, Gardner, Mass.) and Fidelity Bank. Comerford also serves on the Health Alliance Guild Board of Leominster, Mass., and volunteers as a Little League coach in Gardner.
SOUTH
Max Villaronga, president/CEO for the $1 billion, El Paso, Texas-based Raiz Federal Credit Union, was inducted into the 2026 African American Credit Union Hall of Fame by the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC). Villaronga was formally recognized during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony held March 3, 2026, at the Hamilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. in conjunction with America's Credit Unions' Governmental Affairs Conference. Villaronga is the first El Pasoan and first Latino of Puerto Rican descent to receive the honor. His career has spanned leadership roles across multiple industries, including service in the United States Marine Corps. He became president/CEO of Raiz in 2014. He holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas and professional designations, including Certified Chief Executive and Development Educator. Villaronga also serves on several national civic and philanthropic boards, including the National Association of Latino Credit Unions and Professionals (NLCUP), where he serves as secretary.
Please send your People news items to Natasha Chilingerian at natasha.chilingerian@arc-network.com.
© Touchpoint Markets, 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.