Three credit unions – two headquartered in Virginia and one in Washington state – have named new CEOs to lead their institutions.
Argent Federal Credit Union in Chester, Va., named Jamie Asciolla as its new president and CEO while Democracy Federal Credit Union in Alexandria, Va., selected Ken Cahoon as its new top executive. Industrial Credit Union of Whatcom County in Bellingham, Wash., tapped Brandon Hahnel to take the corner office.
Jamie Asciolla, Argent Credit Union
Asciolla joins the $241 million-asset Argent with more than 20 years of experience in the credit union industry. He previously was at 1st Advantage Federal Credit Union in Yorktown, Va., where he served as chief operating officer since 2012. He replaces current CEO Rose Baggerly, who
“We are thrilled to welcome Jamie to Argent Credit Union. He has an impressive and diverse background and will no doubt lead Argent Credit Union on to even greater things,” Gary Miller, Argent’s chairman, said.
Argent was founded in 1956, initially serving DuPont Spruance employees. It has now more than 24,000 members in Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover counties and the city of Richmond. Argent has five locations throughout the Richmond area.
Ken Cahoon, Democracy Federal Credit Union
Cahoon takes the helm at the $149 million-asset Democracy Federal Credit Union with more than 23 years of experience in the financial services industry. He is replacing current CEO, Kathy Geary, who is retiring.
Cahoon was vice president of retail delivery at National Institute of Health Federal Credit Union in Rockville, Md., since 2017. Prior to that, Cahoon was a regional manager at Unify Financial Credit Union for three years. Cahoon also spent time at American Spirit Federal Credit Union and Justice Federal Credit Union in various management roles.
“I am honored to have been given the opportunity to take over the leadership of Democracy Federal Credit Union, an organization for which I have a great deal of admiration,” Cahoon said. “The credit union has a strong financial foundation and impressive growth. I am looking forward to continuing on this trajectory and feel confident that we will have a prosperous future.”
Democracy was established in 1936 to serve the employees of the Social Security Board in Washington, D.C. After mergers, charter expansions and years of growth, its membership is open to many government agencies as well as those in Washington D.C., and parts Maryland and Virginia.
Brandon Hahnel, Industrial Credit Union
Hahnel is taking over at the $246 million-asset Industrial for Terri Salstrom, the institution’s current CEO, who is retiring. Hahnel has more than 14 years’ experience in the credit union industry, including Whatcom Educational Credit Union. He began his career at Whatcom as a teller and worked his way up to vice president of finance and accounting, interim CIO, and most recently, vice president of data analytics.
“The board of directors is very excited to welcome Brandon as our new president and CEO,” said Michael Ashby, chairman of Industrial. “Brandon’s diverse background, unique experiences and track record of execution is exactly what Industrial Credit Union needs at a time of dynamic change within our industry. We are confident we have selected a very strong leader for Industrial Credit Union and that our organization and membership are safe within his hands.”
Industrial Credit Union was formed in 1941to serve employees of the Puget Sound Pulp and Timber Co. It now has more than members after opening its membership up to anyone who lives and works in Washington state in 2000.
