Vote Now For the 2024 Board of Directors!

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE

Voting has opened to elect four (4) members to the FFCCU Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is essential to the credit union because they serve as the members’ voice and make important decisions on matters such as rates, promotions, policies, procedures, and guide the overall direction of the credit union. Each elected representative will serve a three-year volunteer term.

This year, the ballot has (8) eight candidates. Several of the candidates on the ballot are incumbents, meaning they are currently serving on the board and running for re-election. It’s up to you to elect the individuals that you think will serve in the best interest of you and your fellow credit union members. You may vote for up to four (4) candidates.

Part of what separates credit unions from other types of financial institutions is that each member of a credit union is an equal shareholder of the not-for-profit financial cooperative. This means that every member has a say, regardless of how much money he/she has on deposit. At FFCCU, there is no select group of shareholders that profit more than anyone else.

Votes must be cast no later than March 1, 2024, at 4pm EST.

How to vote:

Cast an online ballot by clicking here.
Phone in your vote by calling 216.621.4644, then listen to the prompts for further instructions.
Request a paper ballot be mailed to you by calling 888.286.5068

Requirements for Voter Eligibility:

Must be at least 16 years of age.
Must be in good financial standing with the credit union.
Must hold a primary account with the credit union.
Estate accounts are not eligible to vote.

Winners will be announced at our Annual Meeting on April 13, 2024

KUDOS!

Thanks to Karen for helping me via Live Chat. She noticed I wasn’t using my account to my advantage and offered me a suggestion to do so. You rock! Appreciate the chat feature and have used it often.

-Gigi

I cannot thank Tilisha Champ at the Willoughby branch enough for going above and beyond to get my auto loan approved. She was a pleasure to work with her. Words can’t express how appreciative I am. I...

-Percaker G.

I called about a car loan for my daughter, who is a student, and Sumintra helped determine the best option. I have been a member for 25+ years, and always get great answers and help with our financial...

Sandy

Thanks to LeeAnn for walking me through a fraud case on our debit cards. She is a perfect example of the fine member experience at FFCCU – always so helpful. Folks like her make me glad I’m a me...

-Chris S.

Thank you to LeeAnn, for the prompt response to my online question. Our family has benefited from over 30 years of outstanding service with Firefighters Community Credit Union.

-Jeffery K.

I give Kudos to the entire awesome credit union staff – especially to Karen, LeeAnn, Jashira, and Beverly. Excellent service! I am so glad to be a member.

-Maxine J.

MARGARET GILBRIDE went way above and beyond to help me with a bill pay issue. I would like to acknowledge her with a great big THANK YOU!

-Lori C.

I cannot say enough good things about the individuals I have worked with – especially when my card number was stolen. The service I have had is why I have moved all my accounts to FFCCU. KUDOS!

-David H.

The entire team answering the electronic messages is outstanding. I’m hearing impaired and have trouble with voice calls. Jashira, LeeAnn, Jessica, and Karen have been wonderful in helping me through...

-Denny J.

Every one of my questions about the Ignite checking account were answered! This credit union is one of my favorites; there is such a calming environment when you enter. Staff is so helpful!!

-Jacob O.

FFCCU made wrapping up my new car loan as easy as anyone could ever hope! What more can you ask for?! Thanks, Firefighters Community Credit Union, always!

-Dawn B.

I had the pleasure of working with Tiffany Zifcak as I was selling one of my cars being financed by FFCCU. There were several tricky circumstances, and Tiffany was awesome. She stayed on top of all th...

-John G.

More Kudos!

Bill Deighton

Bill has over 40 years of experience in credit unions and previously served as Chair of the Board of Directors for 30 years. Bill is a retired Captain of the Cleveland Fire Department. Along with his credit union experience, he has served for 16 years on the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund Board. He believes that credit unions are powered by providing the best customer service to members. Bill volunteers at St. Ambrose Parish and the Fire Museum renovation. Bill and his wife live in Brunswick and have two grown children.

Anthony Missig

Tony is honored to have been the current Board Director since 1999. He has been a credit union member of Cleveland Fire Fighter since 1988. Tony graduated with a BA degree in Business from Hiram College and an MBA from Baldwin Wallace College. He is currently an Assistant Chief with the Cleveland Fire Department.

Ben Laurendeau

Ben Laurendeau has been employed in the credit union industry since 1987 in a variety of positions. Ben has held the position of President/CEO with Firefighters Community Credit Union since January of 2005. Ben holds an Associate Degree in Accounting from Terra Community College, A Bachelor Degree in Accounting from Tiffin University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Baldwin Wallace University. Ben serves as a Director on the Ohio Credit Union League Services Corporation Board and serves on the Ohio Credit Union League Audit Committee.

Gary D. Arbeznik

Gary is a lifelong resident of Greater Cleveland and has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2018. Many of his family members have served in the Cleveland Fire department and are long-time members of FFCCU. Gary holds a BA from Columbia College and a JD g from Cleveland State University. He has worked for both Cuyahoga County and the US Attorney’s office in Cleveland during his legal career. Now retired, Gary and his wife live in Lakewood.

Barbara McCullough

Barb is a current Board Director of FFCCU and a fully vested member. She has an MBA in Finance and has spent 25 years teaching to all walks of life. Barb is a volunteer with the Foundation for Geauga Parks, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Lorain County Spirit of America, and Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio. Barb is a lifelong resident of the Cleveland area. She and her husband have one daughter.

Alyssa Garcia Evanoff

Alyssa Garcia Evanoff joined Firefighters Community Credit Union as the Chief Marketing Officer in February 2019. Alyssa has nearly two decades of experience in brand management and strategic marketing with a variety of organizations across the Greater Cleveland area. During her career, she has developed successful marketing and creative campaigns that have repositioned brand image and increased brand loyalty through emerging digital trends, content marketing and user experience strategy. Alyssa is a graduate of Miami University and sits on the board of the Cleveland chapter of the American Advertising Federation.

Jessica Bittner

Jessica Bittner joined FFCCU as a teller in 2009. In 2012 she was promoted to branch manager, and has managed multiple branches throughout the credit union. Jessica holds a Bachelors in Human Resource Management & Business Management, with a minor in accounting from Baldwin Wallace University. She was promoted to COO in 2021.

Kathleen Riggs

Kathleen Riggs joined FFCCU as Chief Retail Officer in 2013. Kathy has been in the financial services industry for over 25 years, holding a variety of positions. Kathleen received her bachelors degree in psychology from Kent State University and is a certified trainer of CUNA’s Creating Member Loyalty program.

Paul Humphrey

Paul Humphrey was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. He joined FFCCU in 2017 as the Chief Lending Officer. Paul is a graduate of Kent State University. He holds the designation of Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) from CUNA. Paul has managed lending programs in both small and large credit unions and brings that unique perspective to serve the members of FFCCU.

John Carrick

John Carrick is the Chief Financial Officer of Firefighters Community Credit Union in Cleveland, Ohio. John was hired by Greater Cleveland Firefighters Credit Union (former name of Firefighters Community Credit Union) as an Accounting Assistant in February 1993, was promoted to acting CFO in 1995, and was awarded the position of CFO in 1996. John has assisted in the acquisition of multiple mergers for Firefighters Community Credit Union and has managed two different Merging Credit Unions during the merger process. John is a former member of the Audit Committee of the Cleveland Chapter of the Ohio Credit Union League. John holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Cleveland State University.

Dennis Corrigan

Dennis has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2017. He is invested in forming bonds between the Credit Union and the community and helping members improve their economic situations. He has a strong desire to have a voice in the decision-making process of an institution that he was raised with and believes in. Dennis has been a part of the Cleveland Fire Department for 25 years and is currently a Captain. Dennis and his wife live in the Cleveland area with their three children.

Damian Borkowski

Damian has served on the Board of Directors for over 10 years. He has been the Citywide Service Manager for the City of Cleveland since 1983 and manages the demolition of houses and buildings. He holds degrees in Law and Engineering and is a member of the Ohio Bar. Damian lives with his wife in the Cleveland area. He has been a credit union member for 30 years.

Rich Bowman

Rich serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors and has been a board member since 2009. He has been a Cleveland Firefighter since 1989 and is presently a Battalion Chief serving the city’s lower west side. Rich is a founding member and Treasurer of the Firefighters Memorial Ride. Since their inception in 2004, they have donated over $250,000 to the families of fallen Fire, Police, and EMS workers. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a minor in Finance from Cleveland State University.

James E. Polk

James is the Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors and has served on the Board since 1982. He has also held the position of Secretary. Jim is a retired Cleveland Firefighter after 30 years of service. He is the past treasurer of Fire Fighters Local 93 and served on the Union Executive Board for 18 years. Jim is also a former Worker’s Compensation Representative for Local 93 and the NOFF.

Bryan Gallagher

Bryan has served on the FFCCU Board of Directors since 2006 and looks forward to continuing to help the credit union move forward and provide quality services to members. Born and raised in Cleveland, Bryan and his wife live in Lakewood and have three grown children. He holds a degree in Communications from Cleveland State University and spent 40-years as a cameraman for the MLB and NBA. After 33 years, he retired as a Captain from the Cleveland Fire Department. He is a former Sergeant at Arms for Local 93 IAFF and was Secretary for the Firefighters Memorial.

Robert Schwind

Bob is a lifelong Cleveland resident and has been a member of FFCCU since 1993. He has served on the FFCCU board since 2019. Bob is a graduate of Cleveland State University and has served as a Cleveland firefighter for the past 28 years, becoming a lieutenant in 2002. He and his wife live in Cleveland and have two grown daughters.

James Andrews, Jr.

Jim has been a credit union member for over 40 years and has served on the Board of Directors since 2012. He has been a Cleveland Firefighter for 29 years, currently stationed at Engine Company 13. James has served on the Cleveland Firefighters Relief Fund board and was a former Union Steward and Committee Member for Firefighters Local 93. He and his wife have three children.