Cheryll Olson Collins will be the new secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) effective Jan. 17, replacing Kathy Koltin Blumenfeld who has accepted a new position in state government (also effective Jan. 17). Olson Collins is now deputy secretary of DFI; before that, she was the acting administrator of the agency’s division of banking. Meanwhile, Blumenfeld has been named secretary-designee of the state’s department of administration (DOA).
(June 18, 2021)Manuel P. (“Manny”) Alvarez, commissioner of the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (since March 2019) is stepping down today. According to press reports, he wants to “turn his attention to other areas.” The office of Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said Chief Deputy Commissioner Chris Shultz – who supervises the agency’s business operations – will be named acting commissioner … Meanwhile, congratulations to Ben Young, the new CEO of Norristown Bell CU in Blue Bell, Pa.; he replaces long-time CEO Helen Edwards, who is retiring. Helen was very active in NASCUS policy positions, and an ardent supporter of the state system.
(May 7, 2021) James “Tim” Merritt, assistant administrator of the North Carolina Credit Union Division, has announced his retirement, effective a week from today (May 14) … Meanwhile, in credit union state association leadership developments, Rich Schaeffer has become the new president and CEO of the West Virginia Credit Union League, succeeding long-time CEO Ken Watts, who has retired … In Michigan, Patty Corkery has been appointed president and CEO of the state’s league, succeeding veteran CEO Dave Adams, who resigned (but who remains at the helm of the association’s CUSO, CU Solutions Group).
Grace Arnold is now the permanent commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Commerce, as appointed by Gov. Tim Walz (D) Thursday. She replaced Steve Kelley in the role. As commissioner, she heads the department that oversees financial institutions, including credit unions. Previously, she was deputy commissioner of insurance for the Commerce Department, overseeing the life, health, and property and casualty insurance markets in the state. Before that, she spent nearly 10 years at the federal center for consumer information and insurance oversight of the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services where she worked on the technology turnaround of healthcare.gov and policy development during the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
(March 26, 2021) Rhoshunda Kelly is now the Mississippi commissioner of banking and finance, removing the “interim” from her title that she earned in an appointment announced last summer. Kelly has nearly 20 years as a bank regulator; she was named deputy commissioner in 2014. She has also served as a field examiner, review examiner and director of bank supervision. She holds a degree in business (banking and finance concentration) from Mississippi State University, and is a graduate of the school of banking at Louisiana State University where she is currently a faculty member. She is also an honor graduate of the American Bankers Association (ABA) Graduate Trust School.
In Alaska, James (“Jim”) McConnell has been appointed director of the Alaska Division of Banking and Securities, which regulates state depository and non-depository financial institutions, administers and enforces Alaska’s financial services laws, and provides information for consumers, investors, entrepreneurs, and regulated industries. McConnell has 20 years’ experience in commercial banking and 25 years as an independent loan consultant, project developer and “contract banker” throughout the state. He has experience in consumer and residential, commercial real estate, and project development lending, as well as troubled debt restructuring. His areas of specialization include consumer and residential lending, commercial real estate and project development lending, troubled debt restructures, infrastructure lending/review, and industrial development.
Finally, so long and thanks to New Mexico’s David Gee, who is retiring April 2, for his long-time service as Credit Union Industry Manager of the state’s Financial Institutions Division.
(Feb. 19, 2021) Stanley M. Dameron has been appointed commissioner of the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions in the Office of the Governor, succeeding John Ducrest who retired late last year. Dameron, appointed by Gov. John Bel Edwards (D), is the past president and CEO of American Bank & Trust and a U.S. Army Veteran, according to the OFI. He assumed his new office Feb. 17. Like many states in the south-central portion of the country, the OFI office has been closed this week due to the weather, delaying Commissioner Dameron’s physical start at the office.
(Dec. 11, 2020) Shane Foster is the new deputy director of financial institutions at the Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI, a consolidated agency, as of July 1, that includes the former stand-along insurance and financial institutions departments, and the state automobile theft authority). Foster was formerly with the state’s Attorney General’s office, serving as senior litigation counsel in the consumer protection and advocacy section. In a release, the agency said Foster has worked in private practice and has extensive experience in the mortgage industry.
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AZ DIFI announces deputy director
(Dec. 4, 2020) John Ducrest, long-time (since 2004) Louisiana commissioner of financial institutions in the state’s Office of Financial Institutions (OFI), has retired, effective Dec. 2. Among many other contributions to NASCUS, Ducrest drove critical enhancements to NASCUS’ Accreditation Program and most recently served as Chairman of the NASCUS Performance Standards Committee. Christine Kirkland has been named acting commissioner of the OFI … Meanwhile, in Kansas, Vickie Hurt has assumed her duties (as of Nov. 28) of acting administrator of the Kansas credit union administrator; the state’s Senate is expected to take up her confirmation as permanent administrator in the 2021 legislative session. She is also a former credit union CEO and board member of the Kansas Credit Union Association. Hurt replaces Jerel Wright in the position, who retired Nov. 28 following 14 years of service (1997-2005 and 2014-20).
(Nov. 13, 2020) Vickie Hurt would lead the Kansas Department of Credit Unions under a nomination announced this week by Gov. Laura Kelly (D) to replace retiring Administrator Jerel Wright. He has announced he plans to retire effective Nov. 28. Hurt’s nomination is subject to approval by the Kansas senate; a hearing has been set for next week (Tuesday) before the Confirmations Oversight Committee. Wright is ending his second stint as KDCU administrator, which began in September 2014; he previously served in the position from 1997-2005 … Meanwhile, in Alaska, Chief Examiner Tracy Reno has been named interim director of the Division of Banking and Securities to succeed Director Patrice Walsh, who retired in late October … And, after 21 years, Doug Lacy-Roberts has announced his retirement from the division of credit unions at the Washington Department of Financial Institutions where he most recently served as program manager, chief of specialty examinations and enforcement. Prior to his career at DFI, he was an FDIC examiner for 7 years. Best wishes from NASCUS to all three retiring employees.