WEST
Briana Thompson, financial investigator at the $2.9 billion, Springfield, Ore.-based SELCO Community Credit Union, was recently honored with the Eugene, Ore., Police Department's Partnership Award. EPD's Partnership Award is presented to individuals or organizations who provide meaningful support to the department's mission through community-oriented policing, prevention, education and collaboration. Thompson has worked alongside EPD to provide "precise, timely financial insights" that they've used to combat financial crimes, strengthen investigations and support community-focused policing, according to the Eugene Police Department. Thompson has worked as a financial investigator for SELCO since 2018, supporting the credit union's fraud prevention efforts, working to detect and investigate suspicious financial activity, and helping protect members from fraud. Her role frequently requires coordination with law enforcement agencies. Thompson was formally recognized at the EPD's Employee Awards Ceremony on May 20.
Brandi Ward, senior market development manager at United Federal Credit Union ($4.4 billion, St. Joseph, Mich.), was recognized as a 2026 Woman of Achievement by Girls on the Run Sierras during the Nevada Women's Fund Salute to Women of Achievement Luncheon on May 21. The Salute to Women of Achievement is a signature event hosted by Nevada Women's Fund that celebrates women across the region for their dedication, leadership and meaningful contributions to their workplaces, families and communities. Ward has served as board chair for Girls on the Run Sierras and contributed more than seven years to the organization as both a board member and coach. In her role at United, she focuses on building strong community relationships and advancing initiatives that create lasting, positive impact.
The $4.2 billion, Lacey, Wash.-based Peak Credit Union hired Brant Spangler as SVP, consumer lending. Spangler brings nearly 20 years of credit union lending leadership experience, having most recently served as director of loan origination strategy at BECU ($30 billion, Tukwila, Wash.). Previously, he held senior leadership roles at GESA Credit Union ($6.7 billion, Richland, Wash.) and Inspirus Credit Union (now GESA). Spangler earned his MBA from Washington State University.
MIDWEST
The $8.2 billion, Columbus, Ohio-based Corporate One Federal Credit Union hired Jeff Blake as SVP, head of human resources. He joined the corporate on May 27 and will officially begin his new role on Aug. 1. He will succeed Michele Barregarye, who is retiring on Aug. 6. Blake brings more than two decades of HR leadership experience, having most recently served as chief people officer at Achieva Credit Union ($3.1 billion, Dunedin, Fla.) and previously as SVP of HR at United Federal Credit Union ($4.4 billion, St. Joseph, Mich.). His experience spans workforce planning, leadership development, talent acquisition, compensation strategy, employee engagement, regulatory compliance and facilities oversight. Blake maintains multiple advanced professional certifications, including Senior Professional in Human Resources, SHRM Senior Certified Professional and Certified Compensation Professional. In his new role, he will serve as a key strategic partner to Corporate One's executive leadership team, overseeing human capital strategy, organizational culture, employee engagement, talent management, compensation and benefits, compliance, and learning and development. He will also provide executive oversight of facilities, supporting a workplace environment that reflects Corporate One's culture and enhances the overall employee experience.
LEAGUES
California's Credit Unions and Nevada's Credit Unions, and Utah's Credit Unions, hired Paige Haskin as director of grassroots advocacy. In her new role, she will power the voice of credit unions in the state and federal grassroots arenas, spearheading mobilization and campaigns. From a grassroots perspective, Haskin will represent credit unions across the state capitols in California, Nevada and Utah, as well as the U.S. Congress where both state leagues hold a significant congressional delegation. She will also oversee signature grassroots initiatives like the Advancing Communities Together (ACT) campaign, which focuses on clearly communicating the credit union difference to key policymakers and community engagement groups. Haskin will also lead Connect For The Cause – the leagues' communications platform that maximizes immediate outreach to Congress – and other initiatives like Project Zip Code (PZC), a database-mapping application providing lawmakers local numbers on credit union members within legislative districts. She will also lead workshops to train member credit union leader advocates. Haskin brings more than a decade of high-level experience in strategic communications, coalition building and legislative strategy. Most recently, she served as the California Policy Manager for the Western States Petroleum Association. Her background also includes serving as a senior director at Miller Public Affairs Group, communications director for the Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California, and as a legislative director in the California State Assembly.
VENDORS
The Torrance, Calif.-based consumer finance company Happy Money appointed Tim Parsons as chief risk and analytics officer. Parsons brings more than 25 years of consumer and small business lending experience, with deep expertise in credit risk, operations, pricing and capital markets. He previously served as COO and then CEO of Sunlight Financial. Earlier, he held senior leadership positions at Citigroup, overseeing a $15 billion consumer credit portfolio. In his new role, Parsons leads enterprise risk, credit strategy, pricing and analytics, with a focus on supporting capital markets capabilities, and driving sustainable growth and product expansion.
Safe Harbor Financial, a fintech platform serving the banking, lending and financial services needs of the regulated cannabis and hemp industries, appointed Tyler Klimas and Sean Tonner to its Board of Directors on April 22, 2026.
Klimas was appointed to the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and will serve as chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. He is the founder of Leaf Street Strategies, a Washington, D.C.-based consulting and regulatory affairs firm specializing in cannabis and hemp policy, regulatory strategy and market development. Prior to founding Leaf Street Strategies, Klimas served as the first executive director of the Nevada Cannabis Compliance Board, where he designed and led the agency responsible for regulating Nevada's billion-dollar medical and adult-use cannabis markets. Klimas is also a co-founder and former President of the Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA), a nonprofit comprising cannabis regulators from more than 45 U.S. states and territories, Canada and the Netherlands. He previously served as Nevada's chief federal lobbyist under Governors Brian Sandoval and Steve Sisolak.
Tonner was appointed to the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and will serve as chairman of the Compensation Committee. He has served as managing partner at Fulcrum Group since 2017 and is a seasoned strategic communications and public affairs leader with experience advising governments and corporations globally. He has served in senior staff roles for Presidents, Prime Ministers and Governors, and brings extensive experience in high-profile political campaigns, global reputation management for major brands and leadership roles across Colorado business and civic organizations. Tonner is a U.S. Army veteran and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Valor during Operation Desert Storm.
Please send your People news items to Natasha Chilingerian at natasha.chilingerian@arc-network.com.
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