MINOT, N.D.– Two credit unions have named new CEOs.
In North Dakota, Aspire Credit Union has named a new president and CEO to succeed the retiring Mindee Kohlman.
The $165-million Aspire CU has selected Kevin Vigested to lead the organization. Vigested comes to the credit union from First International Bank & Trust in North Dakota.
“I am excited for this new endeavor at Aspire Credit Union, and I am looking forward to working with the members to provide a positive experience to all,” Vigested said in a statement.
According to the Dakotas Credit Union Association, Vigested is a native of North Dakota and has deep roots within the region. After graduating from Minot State University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a minor in business administration and management, he became an auditor for the Health and Human Services Department.
Recognized for Job Done
During his four-year stint at the organization, he was awarded the Inspector General’s Award for Distinguished Service for his contributions, foresight, and teamwork, the association said.
In 2004, Vigested moved into the banking industry where he worked for 12 years in the commercial lending space and “served as a mentor to junior lenders, expanded his management aptitudes and communication skills,” the association said.
“When he was promoted in 2016 to branch president, he took on additional responsibilities including overseeing all operations for the branch location, focusing on business relationship development and implementing a strategic plan for each location that he developed,” the DCUA added. “During his time at the bank, he assisted the management team in creation of a strategic plan for the central market in North Dakota including the cities of Minot, Bismarck, and Mandan.”
Active in Community
Vigisted has been active in the community, including being an “avid” supporter of Minot State University Athletics, having served three terms as the Beaver Boosters Board president, and he has been treasurer of the Minot Tournament Committee since 2015.
He is also active in what the DCUA said is a “project dear to his heart, a foundation named for his brother, called Viggy’s Sandlot,” which provides financial assistance for youth activities.
New CEO at SkyPoint FCU
Meanwhile, in Germantown, Md., the $208.4-million SkyPoint FCU has named Carla Decker as its new president and CEO to succeed the retiring James H. Norris III.
Most recently, Decker served as chief operating officer of the $784.7-million IDB Global Federal Credit Union in Washington, and prior to that was CEO of DC Federal Credit Union for 20 years.
In all, Decker has more than 25 years of experience leading credit unions in the Washington, D.C., area, “helping to raise capital for expansion, broadening and growing membership, and building strong teams that improved organizational infrastructures while conducting the board’s goals,” said SkyPoint.
“I’d like to congratulate Jim on his accomplishments – not only in his credit union career but also his personal achievements – and to thank him and the board of directors for leading SkyPoint to such a strong and stable position so that our team can continue to move ahead with confidence,” Decker said. “In these uncertain economic times, I am confident in SkyPoint’s strong financial position. We are close to our members throughout the region and are small enough to have the flexibility to make decisions and pivot quickly, when necessary. I look forward to working with the SkyPoint Credit Union team and board of directors to continue to build from our history, experience, and successes to address current and future challenges, to meet our members where they are on their financial journeys, and help them build stronger financial lives.”
Tripling of Assets
During her tenure at DC Federal Credit Union, SkyPoint FCU said Decker tripled assets, expanded their service area, improved the CU’s organizational structure, and strengthened its operational and financial performance. She organized and directed the DC Federal Credit Union Foundation to increase capacity and resources to offer financial education and development services to members.
“Decker led her teams to seek and earn the distinction of Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) from the U.S. Department of the Treasury,” the credit union said. “She established public-private partnerships that raised capital which enabled DC Credit Union’s impact in serving and empowering historically underserved low- and moderate-income area residents.”
Advocate for Inclusivity, Education, Reducing Poverty.
Originally from Peru, SkyPoint FCU said Decker understands the immigrant experience firsthand and is inspired and motivated by it.
“Among her numerous awards and recognitions, she was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the DC metro area by the Spanish-language publication El Tiempo Latino. She is a Credit Union Development Educator; and was the Joe Biden Educator of the Year in 2017 for her work designing a curriculum for the cooperative leadership program in the Caribbean,” the credit union said. “Just this year, Decker was inducted into the African American Credit Union Coalition’s Hall of Fame. She has served on local and national credit union association boards and currently chairs the board of the National Cooperative Business Association (NCBA CLUSA).”
Educational Background
Decker holds a B.A. in Finance and General Studies from Southeastern University in Washington, D.C., and an M.A. in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University in Virginia. She has also earned certificates in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Georgetown University and in Consumer and Commercial Solar Financing from the University of New Hampshire.
CU Strategic Planning handled the search.
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