EAST
The $3 billion, Rome, N.Y.-based AmeriCU Credit Union announced five hires and three promotions.
Amy Gonyo was hired as assistant vice president and regional director for New York's Clinton and Essex Counties. In her new role, she leads the teams at AmeriCU's newest financial centers, supporting staff integration while expanding awareness of AmeriCU's solutions and strategies throughout the North Country. Gonyo brings more than two decades of banking leadership experience, including 23 years at KeyBank where she advanced to operations leader, and six years as vice president of operations at a credit union in upstate New York.
Diana Morat was promoted to vice president of specialty banking and fraud prevention. In her new role, she provides executive leadership for enterprise fraud prevention, specialty banking, risk, quality control and physical security programs, while serving as a strategic advisor on fraud trends and regulatory compliance. Morat has more than 16 years of experience with AmeriCU, having begun her career as a teller in 2009 and advancing through roles in the call center, lending, compliance and BSA, including establishing the credit union's Specialty Banking program. She holds multiple industry certifications, and serves on the board of the local chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners as well as a branch of the Rome Hospital Twigs.
Jayla Lane was hired as assistant vice president and regional director of virtual services. In her new role, she leads the Member Service Center and Virtual Financial Center, including outbound sales teams and interactive teller machine operations, supporting more than 85,000 member interactions per quarter. Lane brings more than a decade of leadership experience, including nearly 10 years in the credit union industry focused on member experience, operations and service transformation.
Kevin Peterson was hired as assistant vice president of technology support. In his new role, he oversees technology implementation, end-user support and lifecycle management, collaborating with business units and vendors to deliver organization-wide technology solutions. Prior to joining AmeriCU, Peterson spent 18 years at Verizon, where he advanced his career as a technology leader and developed high-performing technical teams while driving strategic initiatives.
Luke DeArmond was hired as vice president of mortgage. In his new role, he leads the growth and operational success of the mortgage department, overseeing mortgage sales, operations and secondary market functions. DeArmond brings more than 13 years of credit union experience, including over a decade in residential mortgage lending, leveraging technology and data to scale operations while prioritizing team development through coaching and mentorship.
Serena Grant was promoted to assistant vice president of credit solutions. In her new role, she leads the credit solutions division, including member solutions and asset recovery, helping members navigate financial challenges through individualized solutions that support long-term stability. Grant has more than 18 years of experience in the banking and credit union industry, with a background in lending, underwriting and leading advanced collections teams through operational and technology-driven change. She joined AmeriCU in August 2024.
Tiffany Abele was hired as vice president of talent. In her new role, she leads the daily operations of human resources, including payroll, benefits, employee relations, recruiting and performance management, working closely with leadership and staff to foster a supportive and growth-focused workplace. Abele brings more than 15 years of HR experience and holds an MBA from the Los Angeles-based Keller Graduate School of Management, a master's certificate in HR from Cornell University in Ithica, N.Y., and SPHR and SHRM-CP designations. Abele serves on the Boards of Directors for both the Rome Chamber of Commerce and Mohawk Valley SHRM.
Vanessa Szwejbka was promoted to assistant vice president of community relations. In her new role, she builds and strengthens relationships with community partners and helps guide AmeriCU and the AmeriCU Charitable Foundation's nonprofit collaborations to create lasting impact across the region. She spent 15 years working in broadcasting as a meteorologist across Central New York, the North Country and the Southern Tier, before transitioning to community relations working with the Downtown Committee of Syracuse. Szwejbka serves as a board member for the Syracuse American Heart Association.
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