Board of Directors and Management
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors is made up of members elected by the members. The board reviews and establishes policies for the credit union membership. Our executive team works closely with the board and the FFCCU team to maintain an efficient and growing financial institution. Learn more about our Board and Executives.
RICH BOWMAN
Chairman
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.
JIM ANDREWS, JR.
Treasurer
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.
DENNIS CORRIGAN
Director
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.
BOB SCHWIND
Director
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.
GARY D. ARBEZNIK
Director
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.
JIM E. POLK
Vice Chairman
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.
BILL DEIGHTON
Director
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.
FRANCIS LALLY
Director
Francis Lally
Past President of the Association of Cleveland Fire Fighters, Local 93 (2018-2024). Graduate of Cleveland State University, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science and former Ironworker Local 17. Married over 25 years to wife Erin, and they are the proud parents of five children ages 23-17: Francis III, Mary, Colleen, Liam and Cormac.
BRYAN GALLAGHER
Secretary
Bryan Gallagher
Bryan has served on the Board of Directors since 2006. 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.
DAMIAN BORKOWSKI
Director
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.
ANTHONY MISSIG
Director
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.
EXECUTIVE TEAM
BEN LAURENDEAU
President/CEO
Ben Laurendeau
Ben has been employed in the credit union industry since 1987. He has held the position of President/CEO with FFCCU 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 on the Ohio Credit Union League Audit Committee.
PAUL HUMPHREY
Chief Lending Officer
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
Chief Financial Officer
John Carrick
John was hired by Greater Cleveland Firefighters Credit Union (former name of FFCCU) as an Accounting Assistant in 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 and has managed two different Merging Credit Unions during the process. John is a former member of the Audit Committee of the Cleveland Chapter of the Ohio Credit Union League. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Cleveland State University.
JESSICA BITTNER
Chief Operations Officer
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.
ERIN MANSFIELD
Chief Retail Officer
Erin Mansfield
Erin joined FFCCU as Chief Retail Officer in spring of 2025 where she leads with a strong commitment to the “people helping people” philosophy. She has brought over 33 years of experience in the financial industry where she managed multiple markets overseeing retail strategy, branch operations and elevated customer experiences. Erin also has a passion for community and culture as she believes in building teams that make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. Erin holds a Bachelor of Business Management degree from John Carroll University.
JOSH ONDO
Chief Marketing Officer
Josh Ondo
Josh Ondo is the Chief Marketing Officer at Firefighters Community Credit Union (FFCCU), where he leads marketing strategy, brand development, and member engagement across all channels. With more than 15 years of experience in marketing and communications, he’s passionate about building connections through thoughtful campaigns and data-driven insights. He has managed multi-channel marketing efforts, led creative teams, and implemented innovative solutions. His approach blends creativity with analytics and always keeps people at the center.
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