Small Credit Union Advocacy Advisory Panel announced

January 22, 2026

Thirty small credit union leaders from across the country will elevate the voices of their counterparts in America’s Credit Unions newly launched Small Credit Union Advocacy Advisory Panel. The panel members, announced Wednesday, will also strengthen advocacy efforts on the issues that matter most to small credit unions.

The panel formed in response to strong interest from small credit unions seeking greater involvement in shaping policy priorities. More than 100 unique nominations were submitted for consideration, reflecting the depth of engagement across the small credit union community.

Panel members were selected to ensure broad representation across geographic regions, fields of membership, asset size, and professional expertise. Participation had to be limited to ensure the panel can operate effectively and deliver meaningful input.

“The enthusiasm we saw for this panel underscores how committed small credit unions are to being part of the advocacy process,” said Scott Simpson, president/CEO of America’s Credit Unions. “This group will play an important role in helping identify policy opportunities, working in alignment with our Advocacy Policy Committee, and advancing solutions that provide real relief to small credit unions facing growing competitive pressures.”

The Small Credit Union Advocacy Advisory Panel serves as a forum for identifying emerging challenges, offering practitioner-level insight, and informing America’s Credit Unions’ advocacy strategy on Capitol Hill and with federal and state policymakers.

Led by America’s Credit Unions’ Greg Mesack, senior vice president of advocacy, and Rich Mohr, small credit union membership director, the panel also includes three League appointees: Christina Mihalik (SVP, government relations, CrossState Credit Union Association), Ryan Smith (chief advocacy officer, Minnesota Credit Union Network) and Ashley Sharp (chief legal officer & SVP state advocacy, Illinois Credit Union League).

Selected Members of the Small Credit Union Advocacy Advisory Panel:

  1. Michael J. Augustine, president/CEO, Frontier Community Credit Union (KS)
  2. Linda Bodie, CEO, Element Federal Credit Union (WV)
  3. Eric A. Bruen, CEO, Desert Valleys FCU (CA)
  4. Faye Crocker, CEO, HOPESOUTH Credit Union (SC)
  5. Jody Dabrowski, CEO, Illinois Educators Credit Union (IL)
  6. Aaron DeJong, president/CEO, Red Wing Credit Union (MN)
  7. David Dodd, CEO, Madison County Federal Credit Union (IN)
  8. Roland Draper, CEO, Somerville Municipal Federal Credit Union (MA)
  9. Thomas Flowers, CEO, Calhoun Liberty Credit Union (FL)
  10. Charles (Charlie) H. Frederickson Jr., CEO, Stanwood Area FCU (PA)
  11. Rob Greaff, CEO, Delta Schools Federal Credit Union (CA)
  12. Karen Griffo, president/CEO, Roswell Community FCU (NM)
  13. Jennifer Grinder, president/CEO, RIPCO Credit Union (WI)
  14. Mark Hudzik, president/CEO, InFirst FCU (FL)
  15. John Linzey, president/CEO, Generations United Federal Credit Union (NY)
  16. Chad Miller, president/CEO, Southwest Louisiana Credit Union (LA)
  17. Christopher Moss, president/CEO, Volt Credit Union (MO)
  18. Nina Myers, president/CEO, TruPartner Credit Union (OH)
  19. Lily Newfarmer, president/CEO, Tarrant County’s Credit Union (TX)
  20. Cassie Pannone, chief financial officer, Northern Hills Federal Credit Union (SD)
  21. Rina Pantano, president/CEO, NJ Gateway Federal Credit Union (NJ)
  22. Tammy Passafiume, Diamond Lakes FCU (AR)
  23. Nicole Peatrowsky, president/CEO, Omaha Public Power District Employees FCU (NE)
  24. Ashton Person, CEO, Port City Federal Credit Union (MI)
  25. Jonathan Rhodes, president/CEO, FedFinancial Federal Credit Union (MD)
  26. Jeremy Smith, CEO, Affinity Credit Union (IA)
  27. Ron Smith, president/CEO/CSO, Enbright Credit Union (TN)
  28. Tyler Valentine, president/CEO, StagePoint Federal Credit Union (UT)
  29. Karen Viets, CEO, Metropolitan District Employees’ Credit Union (CT)
  30. Doug Wadsworth, president, Tri-CU Credit Union (WA)