SMCU announces new management team

Press Release

Southern Mass Credit Union (SMCU) CEO Carmen Sylvester is pleased to introduce the organiza­tion’s new senior management team:

Michael Gago, Chief Lending Officer, came to Southern Mass Credit Union in June of 2018 from Centerville Bank with an extensive background in various aspects of consumer, residential, wholesale, and commercial lending; financial manage­ment; asset management; and financial analysis. As Chief Lending Officer for SMCU, he develops and implements products and services for Commercial, Residential, and Retail Lending and maximizes portfolio growth through effective planning, development, and implementation of lending strategies. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Bryant University and an MS in Accounting and an MBA in Finance from Bentley University.

Jackie Bobola, Chief Financial Officer, has primary oversight respon­si­bility for Accounting, Financial Management and Reporting, Asset Liability Management, Investments, and Facilities. Jackie joined the SMCU team in 2018, bringing with her more than 15 years of accounting and leadership experience, most recently as Controller at Direct Federal Credit Union in Needham. Jackie is a bottom line-focused financial leader who ensures the safeguarding of assets through the development, imple­menta­tion and monitoring of proper internal controls, risk management, and asset/liability management. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Stonehill College.

Debra Tower, Vice President Branch Administration, has been part of the SMCU team for more than 20 years. Her most recent experience prior to joining the senior manage­ment team was as Member Services Manager. In her current position, she is responsible for the operation and facilitation of front-line products and services, including the School Savings Program, and directs the operations and staff of five full-service and school branches. She has served as financial counsel, facilitator, and volunteer for several community organizations.

Susan St. Pierre, Vice President Information Technology, joined SMCU’s senior management team in July 2018 from HarborOne Bank with 29 years of experience in the financial industry, focused on information technology, risk management, and vendor direction. She is tasked with managing the Information Security and Enterprise Risk function of SMCU. In this critical role, she implements and maintains policies and goals that support the organization’s IT needs and ensures the proper functioning of the information processing system with the primary goal of safeguarding sensitive data.

Stephanie Medeiros, Vice Presi­dent Operations, ensures the optimal performance of SMCU’s operations. Previously with Fall River Municipal Credit Union, Stephanie has 16 years of experience in the financial industry. In her new senior management role, Stephanie is responsible for the daily management of retail loan servicing and deposit services, and is instru­mental in developing new products and services for the Credit Union. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management and Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Mass. Dartmouth.

Kimberly Trahan, Vice President Human Resources, joined the senior management team at SMCU in August 2018. Kim has 22 years of Human Resource experience in the financial services industry having previously been with Fall River Municipal Credit Union and Bank Five. She is well equipped to manage all aspects of  SMCU’s Human Resource Depart­ment, including benefits administra­tion, hiring, payroll administration, compensation programs, training, and development. Kim has an Associ­ate Degree from Bristol Community College and a Certificate from Babson School for Financial Services.

Suzanne Catraio, Vice President Marketing, came to SMCU in Septem­ber 2018 from Bridgewater Savings Bank with a strong background in advertising, public relations, and strategic planning, including more than 18 years’ marketing experience for financial institutions. Her academic credentials include a Master of Business Administration degree from Bryant University and Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.

Established in 1922, SMCU is celebrating nearly ninety-seven years of service excellence and financially sound operations. The Credit Union has assets of over $200 million and provides banking services to more than 15,000 members. The main office is in Fairhaven, with branch offices in Fall River, New Bedford, and Plymouth. To learn more, visit www.southernmass.com.

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