Last week, CO-OP announced the acquisition of TMG, a move that brings a wealth of new resources to our client credit unions and their members.
Not only does the acquisition allow us to provide your credit union with a more fully-integrated, comprehensive payments platform, but it also presents us with the perfect opportunity to expand our executive management team, and to tap into the talent and expertise of top leaders from both within and outside our organization.
New to the CO-OP Team
Nicholas Calcanes, Chief Information Officer
Calcanes joins CO-OP from Fiserv, where he most recently served as CIO for Financial Risk Management Solutions. His 25-year career in the financial services industry also includes senior-level leadership positions with First Union, Bank of America Corp. and Ally Financial. Among his responsibilities at CO-OP, Calcanes will apply his vast knowledge and experience toward expanding our technology strategy. A key area of focus will be advancing the integration between our internal infrastructure and industry-leading product offerings.
“CO-OP is extremely focused on the evolving needs of our clients and members,” said Calcanes. “With the acquisition of TMG, we now have the building blocks in place necessary to take CO-OP to the next level. We will continue to invest in our people, process and technology, acting swiftly to embrace innovation, and strategically transforming our systems architecture from end to end. I am excited about what this means for CO-OP, the Movement and our members!”
Matthew Kardell, Chief Revenue Officer
With more than two decades of experience in the payments and financial services industries, Kardell has a proven track record in high-performing revenue generation and business development roles. Most recently, he served First Data Corp. as Senior Vice President and General Manager (SVP/GM) of STAR Network Relationship and Sales. In this position, he managed STAR Network’s client relationships with merchants and financial Institutions, growing network transactions by double digits. At CO-OP, Kardell is charged with managing and maximizing the firm’s sources of income going forward.
“The fintech revolution is bringing with it unprecedented opportunities for credit unions to enhance the member experience while growing their own revenues and profits,” said Kardell. “The challenge is to discern which emerging technologies to embrace. CO-OP provides the scale, innovation and market intelligence credit unions need to invest in the right strategies and technologies. Our merger with TMG affords our clients an even broader suite of technologies to leverage on behalf of their members.”
Paul Love, Chief Information Security Officer
Love brings more than 25 years of information security and technology experience to his role at CO-OP, including positions with the U.S. Marine Corps, Schlumberger, Fifth Third Bank, Standard Financial Group, Microsoft, Ernst & Young, Ally Financial, Cetera Financial Group and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. (Freddie Mac), where most recently he served as Senior Director of Governance, Risk and Compliance. Love has co-authored several books on technology as well. At CO-OP, he is responsible for managing and strengthening the firm’s approach to security, and for protecting client credit unions and their members from fraud.
“Consumers are barraged with news on cybersecurity, and are holding businesses to a higher standard than ever before in the protection of their information,” said Love. “CO-OP takes its responsibility for securing credit union and member data seriously. With investments in the latest technologies, such as machine learning and AI, coupled with an experienced fraud team and advanced fraud tools, CO-OP is helping clients prepare for the future with strong, insightful security strategies today.”
Shazia Manus, Chief Product and Strategy Officer
During Manus’ tenure as CEO of TMG, the company grew monumentally, striking industry-first strategic partnerships and improving the financial lives of millions of credit union members. She has also served as a credit union CEO, an experience that gave her first-hand knowledge of the many challenges and opportunities credit unions face. An entrepreneur since the age of 17, Manus brings her passion for innovation to CO-OP. She is tasked with driving a cohesive and forward-thinking product strategy, and delivering a personalized, seamless and secure member experience across products, services and touch points for CO-OP client credit unions.
“Members want intuitive, protected tools for managing their money,” said Manus. “Regardless of their chosen access point, credit union members expect seamless and secure experiences. Digital payments, real-time banking and cognitive solutions for all kinds of financial transactions represent immense opportunities for credit unions to evolve. CO-OP is committed to helping credit unions deliver those experiences, all while continuing to elevate people over profits. Digital transformation begins with a shift in mindset, and the credit union executives I talk with on a daily basis are ready to lead the movement through that shift.”
Internal Promotions
Across the organization, CO-OP recognizes excellence, and is expanding the responsibilities of other executive management team members as well.
Accordingly, Kari Wilfong now serves as Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer, Samantha Paxson has been named Chief Marketing and Experience Officer, Jim Hanisch is now Chief Operating Officer, and Jill DeNiro has assumed the role of Chief People Officer.
According to Todd Clark, CO-OP President and CEO, “These appointments signify stronger leadership and resources in the areas that deeply impact our clients – technology capability, new business opportunity and security for the fight against fraud. We have never been in a better position to help credit unions address today’s market opportunities and build for the future.”
To access full profiles for each member of CO-OP’s executive management team, visit our website here.
The original article Meet the Newest Members of CO-OP’s Executive Management “Dream Team” can be found on Insight Vault.
