Talent Advances in Credit Unions Across the Region

At Cornerstone League, we’re proud of our members’ individual milestones and professional advancements. Here’s this week’s significant news.

Truity Credit Union Promotes Three of Its Stars

Truity Credit Union, based in Bartlesville, Okla., has announced the promotions of three of its employees.

Clare Ppool, Manager of People Development

Ppool has led recruiting efforts in the people development department for over four years. She started at the $1.5 billion credit union in 2016 and has been with people development since 2019. She holds a bachelor’s in business administration and is a certified Credit Union HR Compliance Professional. She also enjoys volunteering at most Truity events and supporting The United Way, Samaritan Counseling and Growth Center, and Hope Clinic.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as the people development manager at Truity,” Ppool said. “Investing in our employees and helping them grow is something that drives me. I’m excited to continue building a culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and empowered to make a meaningful impact for our members every day.”

“We are thrilled at the growth we’ve seen as we expand and search for talented individuals to join our team at Truity,” said Chief Administration Officer Andria McCollough. “Her passion for our employees and the members we serve is extraordinary.”

Andria McCollough, Chief Administrative Officer

McCollough will oversee the people development and facilities and operations departments, as well as a process improvement program and project management initiatives. She has nearly 30 years of experience in training, human resources, and non-profit service in the Bartlesville community. Previously, McCollough served as senior vice president of the people development department.

Since joining the credit union in 2007, she has led and sponsored the organization’s cultural development team and created the Talent Development Program, which leads employees through a career development journey to explore their personal and professional growth opportunities.

McCollough holds a bachelor’s human resources and business management and is a certified Global Career Development Facilitator. She is also a Certified Behavioral Consultant in DISC, a system that allows individuals to connect and communicate on a deeper level as the result of understanding one another’s behavioral differences.

Joe Beffer, Chief Lending Officer

As chief lending officer, Beffer will oversee all lending operations, including Truity’s mortgage, consumer, and commercial lending and servicing departments. He will oversee lending operations across all market locations and contribute to strategic planning and development as a member of the executive leadership team for the credit union.

Prior to this promotion, he served as senior vice president, director of lending, working in mortgage, consumer lending, and credit resolutions for 13 years. He also has experience with mortgage loss mitigation and vendor relationship management.

Beffer earned a bachelor’s from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and a master’s from Emporia State University. He earned a Certified Credit Union Executive designation after completing CUNA Management School at the University of Wisconsin School of Business in 2022. He serves on the Executive Committee for the America’s Credit Union Lending Council and is an active member of the Oklahoma Governmental Affairs Subcommittee for the Cornerstone League. Beffer is also a graduate of Leadership Bartlesville XXIV.

Beffer is an active member of the Bartlesville community. He is president of the Cherokee Area Council, BSA and treasurer of the board for Building Bridges of Northeast Oklahoma. He also serves as a trustee on the Center’s Trust Authority, is an advocate with the Bartlesville Chamber of Commerce, and a volunteer with Children’s Musical Theater, Bartlesville Band Boosters, and Agape.

Internal Promotions Build the Strength of Soarion CU’s Leadership Team

^{Read time: 1 min, 40 secs}

San Antonio-based Soarion Credit Union is celebrating the promotions of four staffers to roles on the leadership team:

“A strong core leadership team is important to any organization, and I am proud of the dynamic and experienced team we have with these latest promotions,” said Soarion President/CEO Ric Ledezma. “As we enter a new chapter in the long legacy of our credit union, this team of talented individuals will focus on not only enhancing our member experience but also developing and engaging every one of our staff members.”

Monica Benavides, Chief Member Experience Officer

Benavides was previously assistant vice president of loan servicing and credit solutions. With nearly 38 years of financial industry experience, she has worked to drive member satisfaction and optimize the credit union’s operations since joining Soarion in May 2023. As the chief member experience officer, Benavides will oversee the credit union’s financial centers, call center, digital banking, deposit products, training and deposit, and loan servicing areas.

Justin Eddleton, Chief Lending Officer

Eddleton was previously assistant vice president of HomeX Lending. As chief lending officer, he will oversee all the credit union’s lending operations, leveraging his extensive expertise to drive growth and support the members’ financial needs. He joined Soarion in May 2024 and has nearly 17 years of financial industry experience.

Felipe Mayoral Jr., Assistant Vice President of Member Experience

Mayoral is an 18-year veteran in customer operations, seven in the credit union industry. He joined Soarion in May 2023 as director of member experience. As AVP of member experience, he will lead the credit union’s financial center and contact center teams, enhancing member engagement by delivering meaningful improvements to the customer journey and leveraging a strategic blend of people, processes, and technology.

Sierra Saldaña, Assistant Vice President of Finance

Saldaña began with Soarion in October 2022 as the treasury manager and was promoted to director of finance and accounting. As AVP of finance, Saldaña will manage payment operations and oversee the accounting and procurement departments, enhancing reporting, data-driven analysis, and the continuous optimization of accounting processes. She has five years of experience in the financial industry.

This spring, Soarion Credit Union will open its sixth financial center in San Antonio, while work continues on its new headquarters, both at Soarion Plaza near the city’s downtown. Later this year, the credit union plans to open its seventh San Antonio financial center location.

WEOKIE Announces Retirement of EVP/COO and Hiring of Chief Delivery Officer

^{Read time: 2 min}

Retirement of Diane Mach After 41 Years of Service

WEOKIE Federal Credit Union announced the retirement of EVP/COO Diane Mach, who concludes an extraordinary 41-year career of dedicated service, leadership, and commitment.

Mach’s journey with WEOKIE began in 1983 as a part-time teller. She rose to executive vice president and chief operating officer through decades of hard work and unwavering dedication. She has been a mentor and role model to countless employees, helping cultivate a culture of service and excellence within WEOKIE. She has led major initiatives, improved operational efficiency, and strengthened the organization’s dedication to providing members with the best financial solutions and experiences possible.

“Diane’s 41-year career, rising from part-time teller to executive vice president and chief operating officer, speaks volumes about her leadership, passion for WEOKIE’s members, dedication to our employees, and personal commitment to excellence,” said WEOKIE President/CEO Jeff Carpenter. “She has excelled in every position she has held. Diane has made a positive impact on thousands of lives, including our members, employees, volunteers, and credit union leaders in our community.”

“I have been blessed to work with her over the past four years, and I appreciate all that she has done to contribute to WEOKIE’s mission of being the best place to work and the best place our members have ever banked,” Carpenter added. “Although she will be missed, her legacy will live on in our next level of leaders she was so instrumental in developing.”

WEOKIE Hires Kyle Sanders as Chief Delivery Officer

WEOKIE announced the hiring of Kyle Sanders as its chief delivery officer. He will lead efforts to enhance service delivery, optimize member experience, and drive operational excellence across WEOKIE's branch network and digital services.

Sanders is an experienced service delivery leader with over 20 years of experience leading teams in member service-focused organizations. He is passionate about the movement and spent the past 14 years working with financial institutions, specializing in operational strategy, process improvement, and member engagement.

He holds a bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Central Florida and a master’s in organizational leadership from Columbia Southern University. Sanders is also a Certified Credit Union Manager through the Credit Union Executive Society and an accomplished Community Development Financial Institution leader, holding a certificate in Community Development Finance from the University of New Hampshire.

Sanders previously served as president of the League's Central Florida Chapter, playing a pivotal role in advocating for credit union initiatives and community development. His contributions were recognized when he was named to the Orlando Business Journal's 40 Under 40 list in 2022.

"Kyle brings high energy, a commitment to employee development, and contagious member engagement," said WEOKIE FCU President/CEO Jeff Carpenter. "His years of experience across retail and financial services, with specific credit union branch operations, make him a perfect selection to work with our management team. Kyle will take WEOKIE's service delivery to the next level, aligning with our mission, principles, and values."