Leadership changes and advancements around the region

At Cornerstone League, we’re proud of our members’ professional advancements and milestones. We take pleasure in posting significant news.

RBFCU CEO O’Connor to retire mid-March; Sekula in as new CEO

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The board of directors for $17.9 billion Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union announced that its president/CEO Christopher O’Connor will retire in mid-March 2024, and Mark Sekula will take over the leadership position at that time.

Sekula has been with Live Oak, Texas-based RBFCU for 23 years, originally hired in 2000 as vice president of the consumer lending department. He held several subsequent positions at the credit union, including vice president for the business services department. In 2011, he became executive vice president, then later chief lending officer and chief operating officer. Since January 2019, Sekula has served as EVP/CFO.

“We are very pleased with the development of our executive group at RBFCU, and we see the respect they have from our employees,” said RBFCU Board Chair Edward Polansky. “We did not want to disturb the culture of how employees here truly care for other employees and how they care for our members. We are focused on continuing the momentum that Chris generated with his leadership, and we know that Mark will continue to lead RBFCU to even greater heights in the future.”

O’Connor has been with RBFCU for 34 years and was initially hired at the credit union in 1989 as director of the internal audit department. He was named president in 2011 and president/CEO in January 2013.

RBFCU, the largest credit union in Texas, crossed a significant growth milestone in November 2021 with the joining of its one-millionth member. RBFCU’s current membership stands at more than 1.1 million, according to the NCUA.

Since O’Connor took over at RBFCU, the credit union has increased its asset size from $5.4 billion to $17.9 billion. The number of employees has also grown from 1,304 in 2013 to nearly 2,400 today, according to NCUA Call Reports.

Texas Trust invests in leadership development for employees

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Strengthening its employees’ leadership skills and cultivating future industry leaders is a part of Texas Trust Credit Union’s growth strategy and culture. The Arlington-based credit union invests in leadership development through various measures, including the Cornerstone Leadership Academy.

The 2023 Leadership Academy, which graduated at the end of October, included nearly 30 students from various credit unions throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas. Seven students from the 2023 class were from Texas Trust.

The Cornerstone Leadership Academy is a multi-faceted program designed to cultivate credit union leaders. The program explores all aspects of credit union management and functions, as well as credit union history and philosophy to prepare students for collaborative cross-functional learning and skills development to aid them in their career advancement and future leadership roles.

Pictured, left to right: Ashtun Fouts, Christina Cruz-Martinez, Toni Nichols,
Thuy Pham, Cody Smith, and Brittany Ward. Not pictured, Heidi Hardy.

Texas Trust students in the 2023 class were:

• Christina Cruz-Martinez, card solutions clerk
• Ashtun Fouts, loan processor
• Heidi Hardy, VP of public relations
• Toni Nichols, public relations manager
• Thuy Pham, dispute specialist
• Cody Smith, VP, Talent development and internal communications
• Brittany Ward, HR generalist

“Attending the Cornerstone League Leadership Academy has allowed me to learn, grow, and connect,” said Heidi Hardy, VP of public relations for Texas Trust. “The experience emphasized that leadership involves responsibility and caring for those you lead.”

Hardy added, “It was a journey of self-discovery, where you uncover your strengths, refine your skills, and emerge as a more empowered leader.”

Graduates were immersed in a nine-month mix of instructor-led learning, collaborative team projects, and self-learning. The program not only prepares students for leadership within their credit union but also creates a pathway to higher-level leadership training such as Southwest CUNA Management School.

McGhee joins West Community Credit Union as AVP of accounting

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O’Fallon, Mo.-based West Community announced that Marissa McGhee has joined the company as Assistant vice president of accounting. McGhee will supervise the daily operations and routine accounting responsibilities of the department as well as manage financial reporting and strategic projects.

“With an extensive accounting background of over 16 years, we are excited about the experience Marissa brings and the expertise she demonstrates to advance our strategic growth objectives within our accounting initiatives,” said CFO Melissa Green.

“Helping people is a personal passion of mine, so I am thrilled to join an organization where helping people is truly at the heart of what we do,” said McGhee. “I’m excited to combine my expertise and passion to provide real and lasting value to my team and our members.”

McGhee has a history of working with nonprofits and looks forward to supporting nonprofits in the communities the credit union serves.