Brandon Michaels | Kelly Griego | Amber Renick | Amanda Thomas |
Robert Lefkowicz | Shannon Maloney | Ronaldo Hardy | Sasha Kemble |
Jenn Jenkins | Melissa Polley | Lisa Totaro | Chris Wolgamott |
Sean Caloff-Jones | Michael Langhorst | Alexia Mavrakes | Whitney Thompson |
Brandon Michaels is the Chief Financial Officer for the $420 million Mazuma Credit Union in Kansas City, Missouri. Prior to joining Mazuma, he was the Vice President-Finance/CFO at San Francisco Fire Credit Union. He is a third generation credit union executive (his mother is currently CEO of Western Healthcare FCU in Concord, CA, and his grandmother is a retired CEO of then-Avon Refinery FCU in Concord, CA). While Brandon grew up in the credit union movement, he worked three years for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as a Bank Examiner before making his formal entrance into the industry.
Brandon is currently Treasurer/Secretary of the CUNA CFO Council Executive Committee, and also chairs the Council’s Annual Conference planning committee.
Brandon is also a private pilot and a new father of twins!
Kelly Griego is an Executive Benefits Sales and Service Representative for CUNA Mutual Group, a company that specializes in the design, implementation, financing and ongoing administrative support of supplemental executive benefit programs specifically tailored to credit unions. Kelly is located in the Central Region for CMG. He brings to CUNA Mutual Group 6 years experience in financial services industry.
Kelly joined CUNA Mutual Group in 2008. Prior to his role as Executive Benefits Sales and Service Representative at CUNA Mutual Group, he worked at Ameriprise Financial and New England Financial. He served in several capacities, including working Financial Advisor and a Wealth Management Associate.
He has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Behavioral Science and Law. He has a Series 7 and 66 Licenses as well as Life, Accident and Health Licenses.
Amber Renick began her career in the credit union industry with First Capital FCU in 2008, after relocating to York, PA from Dayton, OH. By working in the lending department as a Member Service Officer, Amber has found her passion in financial literacy and credit education. In May 2010, Amber was awarded the title “Pennsylvania Credit Union Youth Ambassador,” and has been busy traveling and speaking throughout the year on behalf of connecting credit unions with younger generations. She has also appeared on a recent televised edition of “Pennsylvania Newsmakers,” reaching out to the community with ways to build credit and avoid high interest rates. Within her own community, Amber is currently focused on expanding First Capital FCU’s youth involvement, as well as partnering youth education within the York Chapter of Credit Unions.
Amanda Thomas is the Marketing and Business Development Manager at Members First Credit Union in Columbus, Ohio. Her primary responsibilities include: leveraging network, social media and marketing strategies to grow membership, ongoing brand development, community outreach, public relations, and the development and execution of the credit union’s marketing and business development plans. She is also heavily involved in social media both on a personal level and on behalf of the credit union’s brand.
Thomas is President of the Board of Directors for the Central Ohio Chapter of Credit Unions, and is the 2004, 2009 and 2010 recipient of the Cutting Edge Marketing Brilliance Award from the Ohio Credit Union League. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.
Rob Lefkowicz is a highly motivated credit union manager with Suncoast Schools FCU in Tampa, FL. Rob began his credit union career after graduating from Western Michigan University at OMNI Community CU in Battle Creek, MI. After moving to Suncoast Schools FCU, Rob quickly moved through the member representative positions to become a service center manager. He is responsible for his service centers’ operations while being devoted to credit union advocacy, employee development, and member satisfaction. While at Suncoast, Rob has earned the CCUE, CFSP, and CLS CUNA certifications. Rob is currently completing his Masters in Business Administration at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Shannon Maloney got her start in credit unions at age three, handing out lollipops for the Connecticut Credit Union’s League Conference. At age 25, she has already clocked five years in Seasons Federal Credit Union’s Marketing Department, working her way up from summer intern to Director of Marketing. Known for her enthusiasm and overall wackiness, Shannon also has the honor of being Seasons’ unofficial VP of Fun. As a second-generation credit union advocate, Shannon has grown up in the industry, but understands that’s not the case for the majority of her peers. She welcomes opportunities to educate younger people about the benefits of credit unions and usher in the next generation of members. Shannon has a Bachelors Degree in Advertising from Temple University in Philadelphia and is a constant student of all things media. In her spare time Shannon is an avid concert go-er and aspiring beer brewer.
Ronaldo Hardy is no stranger to the financial community. Though he originally started his career in banking nine years ago, he was bitten by the credit union bug when he joined La Capitol Federal Credit Union in 2004. During his tenure in the financial industry he has served in several roles including Teller, Personal Banker, Loan Underwriter, Member Service Supervisor, Electronic Services Supervisor, and currently serves as Branch Coordinator at La Capitol FCU.
Ronaldo is devoted to making a difference in the financial well-being of people. He has a special desire to be a voice and leader for Generation Y in the credit union movement. Recently, Ronaldo competed in CUES national search for the Next Top Credit Union Executive. He was the runner up in the competition, and will attend CUES CEO Institute in the spring of 2011. Ronaldo is married to Cristian Carroll Hardy. Together they have two children, Raynah Elise, and Josiah Christian.
Sasha Kemble began her credit union career in 2005 with Whatcom Educational Credit Union in Bellingham, WA. She recognized the CU Difference by comparing what she’d learned over the first two days of credit union training with her experience as a customer at an area bank. By the end of her first week at WECU, she closed out her bank account and has since proselytized credit unions to anyone who will listen.
In 2009, Sasha joined the awesome team at Verity Credit Union in Seattle. Inspired daily by her colleagues, she approaches her work as Verity’s Trainer & Silver-Lining Specialist with enthusiasm. Sasha seeks to develop and support staff in their roles, and help people create the opportunities that connect them to the Credit Union Movement.
When not spreading cheer at Verity, Sasha can be found running, writing, spending time with loved ones… and inevitably talking peoples’ ears off about the benefits of credit unions. With the money they’ll save at a CU, they can afford new ears.
Jenn Jenkins is 27 and is the Lead Marketing Manager for the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union (PSECU). She has been employed by PSECU for 7 years. Her first encounter with a credit union was through a college internship. Jenn quickly transitioned to full-time employment at a branch as a teller and worked her way around different operations units until she was accepted for a position in the marketing department. Recently Jenn was promoted to Lead Marketing Manager and oversees all marketing projects, including PSECU’s government relations materials and communications to members. Jenn is a member of Harrisburg Young Professionals and is currently studying Corporate Communications and Business at Elizabethown College, adding to her current Marketing and Graphic Design degrees.
In addition to her passion for credit unions and education, Jenn enjoys a variety of activities. She volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters and loves playing soccer and volleyball. Jenn also enjoys running and backpacking and is a black belt in Tae Kwan Do.
Melissa Polley has been in the credit union movement for more than three years serving as The Wisconsin Credit Union League’s Member Communications Specialist. Melissa writes and edits multiple League publications that help credit union employees and volunteers stay informed about important issues and opportunities within the movement. She also coordinates The League’s social media effort – including a presence on Facebook and Twitter. In 2010, Melissa took on a new role as co-liaison for The League’s Young Professionals Council. In that capacity she helps facilitate a statewide Young Professionals Network that encourages credit union employees under the age of 35 to learn about the movement and develop their leadership potential. Melissa graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2005. She is a former editorial assistant and reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Lisa Totaro has worked in the credit union industry for nearly four years, serving in the marketing department of Sunmark Federal Credit Union in Albany, NY. She was promoted to marketing associate last March.
Ms. Totaro is a piloting member of the Credit Union Association of New York’s Young Professionals Commission, which seeks to develop strategies and practices that help the state’s credit unions recruit and develop young adults as employees and volunteers. She also serves on the Women’s Business Council Steering Committee for the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Ms. Totaro is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a degree in American Studies and worked in sports information before transitioning to the financial sector.
Chris Wolgamott is the Community Development Liaison at Meritrust Credit Union & has been in the credit union industry for almost 13 years at Meritrust in Wichita, KS and BECU in Seattle, WA. He spends a majority of his time developing and teaching financial literacy classes to schools and non-profit organizations in Wichita and throughout the state of Kansas. Chris earned his Bachelors degree from Wichita State University in Management and Marketing, and recently obtained his Masters of Adult Education degree from Kansas State University. He also recently earned the CCUFC certificate for financial counseling thought CUNA, and was a 40 Under 40 award recipient from the Wichita Business Journal. Chris aspires to work on a more permanent basis with those in Kansas who are searching for ways to be financially secure. He also hopes to be a Wichita State University basketball season ticket holder…someday. Chris and his wife, Trisha, have a two year old son, Connor.
Sean Capaloff-Jones received his BA in History at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in 2009, and spent his time in college working at a collectively run student business. He currently lives in Northampton, MA. In December of 2009, he was hired as a part time teller at UMassFive College Federal Credit Union, a credit union with 26,000 members and $320 million in assets, serving the University of Massachusetts and the Five College system. Sean has been working in his current position as Manager of Member Outreach since October of 2010. He serves as the liaison for all credit union sponsor groups, and coordinates the credit union’s financial literacy, community involvement, and public affairs initiatives. Sean spends his spare time hiking, reading, and watching the Daily Show.
Michael Langhorst was born in Pittsburgh, PA. Michael comes from a rather small family which consists of his father Thomas, mother Cheryl and two brothers Matthew and Bryan.Having started his career at CFE Federal Credit Union back when I turned 23, Michael has worked with CFE Federal Credit Union for almost 8 years and feels blessed with the opportunities that have been provided to him. In 2007, Michael was promoted to his current position as AVP Branch Manager.
While working at CFE Federal Credit Union he met his beautiful wife Maria. Close to celebrating their 5th wedding anniversary, they have also been blessed with two children (Isabella & Christian).
Alexia Mavrakes is the 28 year-old Marketing Manager of Aspire Federal Credit Union. Upon graduating from Rutgers University with a BA in English and a double major in Spanish, Alexia applied for the Marketing Associate position at Aspire FCU, then known as FAA Eastern Region FCU, with no prior marketing or credit union experience. Much to her delight, Alexia was hired for the position and she immediately began immersing herself in credit union philosophy and history. After her first year of employment, Alexia was promoted to Senior Marketing Associate. She was given the opportunity to truly show her dedication to the credit union during their name change and re-branding project, when she worked closely with the executive staff to ensure that employee and member communication about the change was always informative and positive, while also assisting in choosing the new name, logo, brand colors, corporate font, etc. She has also lead several other major organizational projects including the grand opening of a new branch and the launch of Kasasa, a rewards checking product. It should be noted that this was all accomplished while Alexia held down a part-time position at her favorite grocery store, Trader Joe’s. Alexia has recently accepted another promotion at Aspire FCU and is now their Marketing Manager. She is currently applying to NYU’s MS in Integrated Marketing program for the Fall 2011 semester. She frequently attends CUES council meetings, is involved with several programs in conjunction with the NJCUL, was a participant in the CUES Next Top Credit Union Exec competition and is now a part of the Crash network. She is an animal lover who owns an American Pit Bull Terrier and she is a vegetarian working to convert to an entirely plant-based diet by the end of this year.
“We do things not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”
This statement was given by John F. Kennedy in reference to the decision to spearhead the Nation in Space Effort. As a Member Service Officer at American Heritage FCU, Whitney Thompson embodies this spirit of pushing for the next level for the greater good of the public, as a daily servant to her credit union community. She is currently the leader of a financial literacy program with inner city students and a mentor/role model to foster children in her neighborhood.
Whitney strives to engender success in the people that she works with in striving to chronicle her own life as a success story. A graduate of Temple University with degrees in both Finance and Real Estate, Whitney is in pursuit of her MBA at Arcadia University. A strong advocate for the community orientation of credit unions, Whitney participates in charitable walks and bicycle rides during the warmer months, and in the past year has ridden the MS Tour to Shore
75 mile bike ride with her credit union as her sponsor. Always encouraging her team whether at work, at home, or on the volunteer field, Whitney works hard to inspire success in every individual she meets. She is a part of a five member family as the oldest of three. A homeowner in Philadelphia, Whitney enjoys playing with her Pomeranian Ajaiya, Reading, Crocheting, Bike riding, Drawing, and Learning about New Things.
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