TAMPA, Fla. – GTE Financial Credit Union has named Brian Best as its new president and CEO.
Best has more than 20 years’ experience in financial services, and since January of 2016 has been acting president and CEO of GTE Financial in the wake of the abrupt departure of former CEO Joe Brancucci.
Best has been a member of the GTE executive team since 2010 and has also served as executive vice president and senior vice president/chief experience officer.
“Having worked with Brian over the last six years, the board of directors has observed and deeply appreciated his member-centric approach and focus,” said GTE Financial Chairman Rick Hagan. “He is a very humble leader that’s passionate about the credit union, genuinely believing in serving others and putting people first.”
Best has been a Tampa Bay resident for 13 years, earning his bachelor of science in marketing from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and a master of business and administration from Saint Leo University near Tampa, Fla. He is a graduate of the RMA School of Commercial Underwriting and Portfolio Management and received his Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.
“Having worked in the financial industry my entire career, I can tell you that GTE is a great institution, with outstanding employee talent and enthusiasm,” says Best. “We are focused on returning value to our membership, forging new paths with service-minded innovation and continuing our emphasis on giving back to the communities we serve. I look forward to contributing to GTE’s bright future in exciting and meaningful ways.”
Meanwhile, in Alvin, Texas, the $110-million Chocolate Bayou Community FCU has named a new CEO. Gary Angeles has been named to fill the position effective July 1, 2016. Angeles is replacing long-time CEO Gary Davis, who is retiring after over 25 years at the credit union. The executive search was conducted by Credit Union Resources.
Previously the COO at Pima Federal Credit Union in Tucson, Ariz., Angeles was a member of the executive team responsible for leading the direction of the credit union including the IT Department, Payment Services Department, call center, and all credit union facilities.
During his leadership, Pima’s asset size grew 35% over five years while maintaining a healthy capital ratio of 10.41%. As project manager, Angeles led the Pima team through a successful core banking conversion, which included the credit union’s core platform as well as changes to Internet banking, mobile banking, bill pay, eStatements, and optical storage systems.