Lexington, KY (December 30, 2024) |
UK Federal Credit Union is proud to announce several internal promotions with a focus on leveraging the talents and experience of various team members to strengthen the strategic growth of the organization. The following individuals have been promoted at UKFCU: Joel Aran, Caroline Byerman, Lisa Highley, Andrew Miller, Chase Oliver, and Eddie Sorrell.
“Upon arriving at UKFCU, I quickly observed we have a great group of leaders that simply needed to be empowered to make decisions that will positively impact our members,” said Ryan Ross, UKFCU President & CEO. “I am excited to see how their leadership will inspire innovation and excellence. Together, we will continue to build a brighter future for our members and our community!”
Joel Aran has been promoted to Chief Retail Officer and will oversee physical UKFCU branches, as well as the eBranch, Call Center and Investments Team. Aran has over 18 years of experience in the Financial Services industry, and has spent the last eight years focusing on member service and product delivery at UKFCU. With his new role, he will continue to focus on these efforts as well as looking at long-term geographic growth opportunities for UKFCU.
Caroline Byerman has been promoted to Chief of Staff and will be supporting the Executive Team and Board Members. This includes the oversight of special projects, general administrative functions, and assisting with strategic planning efforts. She will work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure compliant governance of the credit union. Byerman has worked with executive-level professionals for more than 25 years providing administrative support and specializes in Board Relations and special events. Prior to joining UKFCU in 2016, she spent nine years at a private foundation in Las Vegas, NV.
Lisa Highley has been named Chief Lending Officer. Highley has over 26 years’ experience in financial institutions, with three years at UKFCU. Her role involves guiding the Consumer, Mortgage and Commercial Lending departments, as well as Loan Operations and Member Solutions. Lisa is an honors graduate of University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics and Stonier Graduate School of Banking. She is involved within the Credit Union industry and serves on the Elections and Awards Committees for Kentucky’s Credit Unions. In addition to her involvement in lending, Lisa is passionate about leadership development and loves to assist and see others grow and develop in their careers. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, gardening, and traveling.
Andrew Miller has been promoted to the role of Chief Marketing Officer. Having joined UKFCU nearly two years ago, Andrew is using his 18 years of experience in the Financial Services industry to strengthen member communications, product development and overall brand perception. With this new role, he will also begin to strategize on long-term community partnerships, community engagement and philanthropy. In addition to his work with the Credit Union, Andrew is a board member of Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass as well as the Downtown Lexington Partnership, and in his free time he enjoys coaching youth sports.
Chase Oliver has been promoted to Chief Human Resources Officer. Oliver joined the Credit Union seven years ago, and brings over 16 years of extensive experience in the Human Resources field. In his role as CHRO, he will be responsible for guiding UKFCU’s comprehensive Human Resource strategy, encompassing talent acquisition, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, employee education, compensation, benefits and more. His remit also extends to Facilities Management, ensuring that all physical spaces and infrastructure align with the Credit Union’s commitment to operation excellence and employee well-being. Chase is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, holding designations as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR), SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), Credit Union HR Certified Professional (CUHRCP), and a Certified Plan Sponsor Professional (CPSP).
Eddie Sorrell has been named Chief Information Officer at UKFCU. Since joining the Credit Union in 2019, Sorrell has brought a wealth of experience from his work in both healthcare and human capital technology sectors, driving forward innovative solutions to enhance the member experience and operational efficiency. In his new role, he will oversee Information Technology, Project Management, Change Enablement, and Product Management, with a strong focus on integrating advanced, forward-thinking technologies to meet the evolving needs of members. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Sorrell is a volunteer at Crossroads Church, an active participant and advocate of Man Camp, and supports various initiatives, including the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, Habitat for Humanity, and Compassion International.
