HERSHEY, Penn.–Two credit unions have announced changes in their respective corner offices.
Hershey FCU said it has named Joseph E. Marchese to be its acting president and CEO. Current President/CEO Paul R. Wagner will retire Feb. 28, 2019.
According to the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association, Marchese comes to HFCU with a strong financial services background, having most recently served as assistant vice president agricultural and commercial relationship manager at Ephrata National Bank. Before that, he was the commercial relationship manager at Member Business Financial Service in Lancaster.
With previous employment as a branch manager at Jonestown Bank & Trust Company and Fulton Bank, Marchese is familiar with the Central Pennsylvania area and its residents’ financial needs, the PCUA said.
“The board of directors is strategically working to attract members of the Millennial generation,” said HFCU Board Chairman Richard Miller in a statement. “We are pleased to not only find someone in this age group, but with the unique experience Joe brings to position HFCU for the future.”
Vantage West Credit Union’s Ramirez Retiring
Separately, in Tucson, Ariz., Robert D. Ramirez, president and CEO of Vantage West Credit Union, has announced he plans to retire. The board has created a search committee and will begin searching for a successor, with Ramirez saying he will remain in place remain in his position as president/CEO until his successor is identified.
Under Ramirez’s leadership, Vantage West’s assets grew from $507 million in 2000 to $1.9 billion today, while membership has increased to more than 150,000 members. Vantage West currently employs more than 450 Arizonans.
In addition to his position at Vantage West, Ramirez has also served the national credit union movement by participating on a number of volunteer committees and boards, most notably as chair of the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES). In 2016, Ramirez was inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame for his years of commitment and dedication to the credit union industry. In 2017 he was appointed to serve on for The Federal Reserve Bank.
Dedication to Community
The credit union said Ramirez has also undertaken a variety of philanthropic and civic activities during his career, including the Pima Community College Foundation, Tucson Metro Chamber, El Rio Health Center, DM50, San Miguel High School, Sun Corridor Inc., Southern Arizona Leadership Council, and United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona.
During his career Ramirez was also named as the Arizona Daily Star Readers’ Choice Best Boss, became an inductee of the Nogales, Arizona High School Hall of Fame, was named Greater Tucson Leadership’s Man of the Year, all in 2017. Previously, he was named University of Arizona Eller Honorary Outstanding Hispanic Community Leader in 2014, Father’s Day Council Father of the Year in 2010, and Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Business Man of the Year in 2009.