CHEYENNE, WY (March 8, 2017) — Western Vista Credit Union is pleased to announce the following promotions and additions to its senior leadership team:
Steven Leafgreen was appointed as CEO/president of Western Vista Credit Union upon the retirement of John Balser, who served as chief executive for 27 years. Leafgreen began his career at Western Vista in June 2010 as the vice president of financial services. He was promoted to executive vice president on September 1, 2016 in preparation for his transition to the CEO/president position.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be named president and CEO of Western Vista Credit Union. I am forever grateful to my predecessor, John Balser, and the board of directors for allowing me to serve in this capacity,” said Leafgreen. “I’ve witnessed great things in my six and a half years at Western Vista. We have a dedicated staff and I look forward to working with them as we continue growing and improving on the products and services we offer.”
Leafgreen has nearly 20 years of banking and management experience, ranging from credit and risk management, to underwriting, special assets, mortgage and middle marketing lending. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Iowa and recently graduated from the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. He volunteers his time serving on the board of directors for the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, Laramie County Library Foundation and Wyoming Industrial Development Corporation and Frontier Certified Development Company.
Yvonne McGee was promoted to senior vice president of financial operations. McGee, who has worked at the credit union for more than 16 years, has served in numerous roles, including senior accounting clerk, accounting manager, vice president of accounting and, most recently, vice president of financial operations. She oversees and directs the strategic and tactical activities of accounting, operations, compliance, human resources and CUSO activities.
McGee holds an associate degree in accounting from Laramie County Community College and earned her Certified Senior Executive (CSE) designation from the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES) Center for Applied Management. She has supported numerous community organizations through her volunteer efforts, including the Cheyenne Symphony, Prevent Child Abuse Wyoming, Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce and the Boys & Girls Club. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center Foundation.
Russell West was promoted to senior vice president of information technology. West has worked for Western Vista for more than five years, most recently as the vice president of information technology. Over the course of his career, West has served in numerous IT and supervisory roles. At the credit union, he is responsible for strategic alignment of technology with credit union business goals and objectives.
West earned a bachelor’s degree in information technology from Kaplan University, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and an associate degree in networking technologies from Laramie County Community College. He recently served as regional co-chair of a software technology users group and is an active member of the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC) for cyber security.
Ann Nelson was hired as senior vice president of financial services and lending. She most recently served as director of corporate development and major gifts at the Laramie County Community College Foundation. She has nearly three decades of banking experience and has served in high-profile management positions throughout the region.
Nelson is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado and holds bachelor’s degrees in accounting and general business management from the University of Wyoming. She is a long-time member of the Rotary Club and serves on the University of Wyoming College of Business advisory board and the Wyoming Business Alliance board of directors. In 2010, Nelson received the University of Wyoming College of Business Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Lorrell Walter was hired as vice president of marketing and member experience. A native of California, she holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of California, Davis. Walter brings with her nearly 17 years of marketing and communications experience. She most recently served as the public relations and marketing manager for the High West Energy family of companies in Pine Bluffs, Wyo.
Walter is an active member of her community, serving on the board of directors for the Cheyenne Kiwanis Club and the Cowboy Chapter of the Air Force Association. She also volunteers on the public relations and military committees for Cheyenne Frontier Days and as a Girl Scout leader. She is a graduate of Leadership Cheyenne, a 2015 Wyoming 40 Under Forty honoree and was recently awarded the Air Force Association Medal of Merit.
Western Vista is a full service financial institution serving Wyoming and Northern Colorado, with more than $142 million in assets and a nationwide network of more than 5,000 shared branch locations. Western Vista offers consumer, mortgage and business financial services, and partners with investment and trust services to offer a wide variety of financial products to its members. **Head shots available for all.**
Western Vista Credit Union
PO BOX 20105
Cheyenne, WY 82003
wvista@wvista.com
307-634-2197
