The Board of Directors consists of eleven members, each elected by the membership of Arize to serve three (3) year terms. Board members set policy, direct Management in the overall operation of Arize, provide oversight of the Credit Union’s financial security, set future strategy, evaluate the CEO’s progress in achieving goals and objectives, represent the interests of the Credit Union membership, and report to members at the Annual Meeting.
Board members are expected to attend monthly Board of Directors meetings and have the opportunity to serve on other committees. Board members also receive training and education provided by the Credit Union on important issues related to the Credit Union and our members.
Dr. Richard Harris
Chair
Dr. Richard Harris has been an Arize member for over 30 years. He has served on the Arize Board of Directors since May 2014 and is currently its chair. Before joining the board, he served for eight years on the Arize supervisory committee and chaired that committee for four years. Dr. Harris retired after over 37 years of service with Raytheon and its predecessors, where he held positions in systems engineering, program management, and business area management. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Wichita State University and MS and Ph.D. degrees in mathematics from New Mexico State University. After retirement, he was a mathematics instructor at Penn State University for four years. He currently volunteers with Centre Volunteers in Medicine and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and has served as a Sunday school teacher at Mt. Nittany United Methodist Church for over 20 years. He resides in Centre County.
Bradley Lunsford
Vice-Chair
Judge Bradley Lunsford (retired) has served as a member of the Arize Board of Directors since 2017 and is currently Vice-Chair of the Board and Chair of the Community Outreach Committee. He has served Centre County as an Assistant Public Defender, Assistant District Attorney, and a District Court Judge for the Centre Region. He was elected in 2006 as a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County and served in that position until his retirement in 2016. Judge Lunsford served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Penn State for 25 years and currently serves as an Adjunct Instructor of Law at the South Hills School of Business and Technology. In addition to serving in various positions for many local nonprofit agencies, he and his wife Susan are Lead Donors of the Judge Bradley P and Susan H Lunsford Endowment for the Children’s Advocacy Center of Centre County through the Mount Nittany Health Foundation.
Rich Singer
Treasurer
Rich Singer has served as a member of the Arize Board of Directors since the dinosaurs roamed the earth and is currently serving as the credit union’s Treasurer. Mr. Singer has previously held positions as Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and Secretary of the Board. Mr. Singer is currently retired after 25 years in various software engineering and management positions at HRB Singer (currently Raytheon) and 18 years teaching electrical engineering at the Pennsylvania State University Altoona Campus. Mr. Singer has obtained Bachelor of Science and MEng degrees in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University. Mr. Singer also serves on the Board of the Juniata Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America. He has been an active member of the Arize Federal Credit Union (formerly SPE Federal Credit /union) since its inception in 1978.
Monica Wright
Secretary
Monica Wright has served as a member of the Arize Board of Directors since January 2021 and is currently the secretary. She has been a development professional for over 20 years and raises awareness and monetary support for several local nonprofit agencies. Ms. Wright obtained a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and foreign languages and MA in School Psychology at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. She attended Penn State for her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Applied Statistics. She has conducted multidisciplinary research, taught graduate and undergraduate courses at Penn State, and worked with K-12 students as a Certified School Psychologist. Ms. Wright is an honorably discharged veteran of the United States Army Reserves, having served six years as a licensed practical nurse. Her diverse experience and interest in social and economic struggles guide both her professional and private life, concentrating on community awareness and enhancement. She is an active volunteer and states her most rewarding achievement has been fostering over 100 displaced kittens! Monica lives in Huntingdon County.
Larry Cramer
Director
Larry Cramer has served as a member of the Arize Board of Directors since 2018 and as a member of the Supervisory Committee since 2008. Mr. Cramer has been a member of the SPE/Arize credit union since 1982 after joining HRB Singer (now Raytheon) in 1979. Mr. Cramer retired from Raytheon in 2002 as a Senior Configuration Analyst. He served in the US Air Force from 1959 to 1963 as an in-flight radar maintenance technician and in the PA Air National Guard from 1977 until retiring in 1999 as a Master Sargent. He received an Associate of Arts degree in business from American River College in Sacramento, CA, and Electronics Systems Technology from the US Air Force. He also has Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science degrees in Recreation and Parks from the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State University. Mr. Cramer is and has been an active volunteer in many local charitable events and organizations. He is a member of the BPOE (Elks) for 55 years. He is also a past Bellefonte BPOE Elk of the Year. Mr. Cramer was born, raised, and still lives in State College.
Darrell Early
Director
Darrell Early is a seasoned professional with a diverse background that spans several decades. Graduating from Freeport Area High School in 1964, Darrell pursued a career in electronics, completing the Electronics Technician program at Connelley Vocational in Pittsburgh.
His commitment to service led him to join the US Navy, where he served as an aviation electronic technician from 1966 to 1970. Following his military service, Darrell graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in 1971, beginning a 25-year career with the force.
In pursuit of his passion for aviation, Darrell earned his Private Pilot Certificate and Instrument Rating at the PSU Flight School in 1977. His dedication continued as he obtained a Commercial Airplane Rating at Vee Neil Aviation in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and a Commercial Helicopter Rating at Ag-Rotors in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
For 8 years, Darrell flew helicopters for the Pennsylvania State Police, contributing to public safety. After retiring from the force, he took to the skies again, flying for Nestlerode Construction for 2 years and then joining Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc., where he spent the next 24 years.
In 2010, Darrell celebrated a personal milestone by marrying his wife, Deb. Darrell is currently enjoying retirement in Centre County.
Joe Herrle
Director
Joe Herrle has served as a volunteer with Arize FCU since 1999. He was chair of our supervisory committee for two years. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 2001 and has held several Board offices, including Chairman of the Board since then.
He is a long-time resident of Centre County. After graduating from Penn State with a degree in Advertising/Marketing, he worked locally for Mercedes-Benz for 38 years. For the past 13 years, he has been a licensed Realtor with Kissinger, Bigatel & Brower Realtors.
Joe is an officer and serves as Treasurer of the Centre County Association of Realtors. He also keeps busy as a Board Officer for Regency Square Condominium Association and State College Borough Design Review Board. Joe was past president of the Penn State Foreman Foundation for Melanoma Cancer Research and is an advisor to KBB Cares, the charitable arm of Kissinger, Bigatel Brower.
Nadine Kerlin
Director
Nadine is a resident of Centre County and has served as a member of the Arize Board of Directors since August 2021 and is currently on the nominating committee. In addition to her service to the board, Nadine is a full-time Licensed Title Agent and Office Manager at Epic Settlement Group, LLC in State College, PA, where she has been employed since 2015. Nadine obtained an Associate in Specialized Business Degree from South Hills School of Business in Technology and graduated with the highest honors in 2015.
Dick Scialabba
Director
Dick Scialabba has served as a member of the Arize Board of Directors since March 2022. Dick attended Juniata College. He is a life-long resident of Huntingdon, where he has worked in the financial world for over 50 years. He is currently CEO of RWS Associates, LLC and also works as a financial educator. He is the retired executive director of Huntingdon County United Way, served on the Huntingdon Area School Board for 12 years (4 years as president), is a member and past president of the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce, and has officiated sports in Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) for 55 years. He is an active member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Huntingdon, PA, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Lonnie Woomer
Director
Lonnie A. Wagner Woomer has been a member of the Arize Board of Directors since March 2019. Lonnie lives in Huntingdon County, where she has worked as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for 36 years. She graduated from Juniata College with her bachelor’s degree and from Barry University in North Miami Shores, FL, with her graduate degree. Lonnie has owned Mainstream Counseling, a licensed outpatient drug, and alcohol treatment facility, for more than three decades and maintains a small private counseling practice as well. She has served on many boards and collaborative entities through the years that serve to improve the lives of Huntingdon County residents. Lonnie is an active member of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Working with individuals, families, and groups to improve their lives and functioning to bring them to their full potential is the passion that drives Lonnie.
Alpesh Parmar
Director
Having immigrated to the USA two decades ago, Alpesh takes pride in being a humble citizen committed to community service. Born and raised in Gujarat State, India, he absorbed essential values of high ethics, honesty, and hard work during his teenage years while contributing to his family’s manufacturing business.
Alpesh completed Two years of College of Commerce with a major in Business Management, then transitioned to the family business thereafter. Seeking to broaden his horizons, he ventured to Indonesia for further growth opportunities. There, he excelled in managing textile marketing & export operations, catering to the dynamic Southeast Asia market for a leading furnishing fabric company.
For over 18 years, Alpesh has successfully managed hospitality businesses in both New Jersey and State College, exemplifying unwavering principles and relentless work ethics throughout his professional endeavors. A resident of Centre County since 2013, Alpesh believes in work-life balance and enjoys listening to motivational audiobooks and watching uplifting movies in his spare time.
Larry Beahm
Emeritus
Larry Beahm currently lives in Milesburg in Centre County. He was born and raised in Aaronsburg except for five years in Harrisburg in early childhood. He graduated from Penns Valley High School and attended Penn State University for two years. He was employed by West Penn Power Company for ten years. He then joined Erie Tech (now Murata / Erie), working in the Production Control Department, Customer Engineering, and as Coordinator for their plant in Mexico, ending in Customer Service and retiring after 34 1/2 years.
He joined the SPE Credit Union in 1981 and became a Board member in 1989. During his 32 years on the Board, he served as BOD secretary and vice president for ten years. He is currently an Emeritus member of the Board. He has been a volunteer with Special Olympics for 27 years and with the Milesburg Community Food Bank for eight years. He has worked part-time for PSU sports for 56 years and played in multiple adult league sporting events.
Hugh Mose
Emeritus
Hugh has been a member of the SPE/Arize Federal Credit Union since shortly after his arrival in Happy Valley in 1995. He joined the Board of Directors in 2000 and transitioned to Board Member Emeritus in 2012. Over the years, Hugh has served in various capacities, mainly on the Nominating and CEO Compensation committees.
A resident of State College Borough, Hugh served as General Manager of the Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) for nearly twenty years, retiring in 2014. Since retirement, he has continued his transit industry involvement through a transportation consulting practice.
Throughout his time in Centre County, Hugh has been active in community affairs. He is a long-time Rotarian, he’s held virtually every leadership position within the Centre County United Way, he recently completed six years of service on the Board of Trustees of the Foxdale retirement community, and he’s currently Chair of the State College Transportation Commission.
A graduate of Civil Engineering from Bucknell University, Hugh also holds an M.S. degree in Transportation and Urban Systems from the University of Maryland. On a personal note, for over thirty years, he and his wife Janyce have shared their home with a succession of retired professional athletes – racing greyhounds!
Supervisory committee members are appointed each year by the Board of Directors. Through their work with internal and external auditors, supervisory committee members verify Credit Union records and monitor financial controls and procedures. A representative of the supervisory committee is expected to attend monthly meetings.
Mary Carbonara
Mary Carbonara has been a member of the SPE/Arize Federal Credit Union team since 1985, when she was hired as a Part-Time Teller. As the credit union charter expanded, her position soon became Full-Time. With continued credit union growth and on-staff training, she moved on to consumer loans and mortgages within a short time. Over the years, she was involved in most aspects of the credit union’s operations, including implementing several new loan products, training staff (as part of the IT area) following the first computer conversion to in-house, and the hiring process. Mary progressed into the Loan Department Manager position, then on to Branch Manager/Corporate Officer of the College Avenue branch in 2002. Mary’s extensive range of experience was used many times to fill in other areas when needed. After retiring in September of 2015 with 30 years, and 40 years in the industry, she became a member of the Supervisory Committee, continuing to be involved with SPE/Arize and the credit union movement. Mary lives in Centre County and is involved in Special Olympics, United Way Funds Distribution, United Way Day of Caring, and the Ferguson Township Garden Club.
Ronald Masavage
Ronald Mesavage has been a member of the SPE Federal Credit Union (now Arize FCU) since its’ inception in 1978.
He served in the US Air Force from 1950 to 1954 during the Korean War, specializing in radar systems maintenance and repair.
He received a BS in Electrical Engineering from Penn State University in 1958, and an MS in Electrical Engineering from the State University of NY in Buffalo in 1964.
Mr. Mesavage worked for HRB Singer (currently Raytheon) from 1964 until he retired in 1997. He held positions in systems engineering and program management and conducted multiple worldwide deployments of systems designed at HRB.
He currently resides at Westminster Woods in Huntingdon, Pa.
He was appointed to the Supervisory Committee by the Board of Directors in June 2022.
Larry Cramer
Larry Cramer has served as a member of the Arize Board of Directors since 2018 and as a member of the Supervisory Committee since 2008. Mr. Cramer has been a member of the SPE/Arize credit union since 1982 after joining HRB Singer (now Raytheon) in 1979. Mr. Cramer retired from Raytheon in 2002 as a Senior Configuration Analyst. He served in the US Air Force from 1959 to 1963 as an in-flight radar maintenance technician and in the PA Air National Guard from 1977 until retiring in 1999 as a Master Sargent. He received an Associate of Arts degree in business from American River College in Sacramento, CA, and Electronics Systems Technology from the US Air Force. He also has Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Recreation and Parks from the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State University. Mr. Cramer has been an active volunteer in many local charitable events and organizations. He is a member of the BPOE (Elks) for 55 years. He is also a past Bellefonte BPOE Elk of the Year. Mr. Cramer was born, raised, and still lives in State College.
Wendy Myers
Wendy Myers has served on the Arize Supervisory Committee since the Spring of 2021. She was employed at SPE Federal Credit Union for 11 years, retiring at the end of 2016. During her years at SPE, she was VP of various departments such as member services, Lending, and operations. She served as a Senior Management Team member and represented SPE on the RK Go Big venture. Prior to SPE, Wendy had 20 years in banking with Citizens Bank and its predecessor Mellon Bank and assisted with three conversions as the banks expanded. Wendy obtained certifications in Lending, member service, and management and obtained her investment license during her banking career. Over the years, she has volunteered with the 4th fest race committee, and Hot Dog stand for 21 years before COVID. Since retirement, she and her husband continue to enjoy travel and escort trips for AAA Travel.
She continues to enjoy living, working, and retiring in Centre County as she has for the past 38 years.
Michael Meier
President & CEO
Michael Meier has served as the CEO of Arize FCU since 2013. He joined the credit union in 1995 as the Accounting Manager and served in various roles, including Assistant General Manager and CFO. Before joining the credit union, Mike spent ten years in the banking industry.
Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the Pennsylvania State University and numerous industry certificates from the Institute of Financial Education, American Management Association, and Credit Union National Association.
A native of Elk County, Mike has been a resident of Centre County for almost 40 years. During that time, he has been an active volunteer coaching youth sports and participating with several organizations, including the American Red Cross and the United Way.
Mike enjoys spending his free time with his wife and three daughters playing games, reading, relaxing, walking their two dogs, playing golf, and enjoying the outdoors.
Joshua A. Fritchman
SVP/CFO
Josh Fritchman has served as Arize’s Chief Financial Officer since 2014. As the Chair of the Asset and Liability Management, Enterprise Risk Management, IT Steering, and Pricing Committees, he is responsible for leading the accounting, compliance/internal audit, enterprise risk management, IT, operations, and treasury functions at the Credit Union.
Prior to joining Arize, Josh’s professional experience includes roles at Kish Bank (Assistant Treasurer), Oppenheimer Funds Institutional Asset Management (Equity Trader), and AmeriServ Associates (Senior ALM and Investment Analyst).
A NAFCU Certified Risk Manager (NCRM), Josh earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from The Pennsylvania State University.
AAs a lifelong Centre County resident, he actively volunteers as a Director on the Board of the Walker Township Water Association. Outside of work Josh enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons traveling, camping, and hunting.
Michael Scott
SVP/CRO
Mike Scott has been a part of the Arize team since 2007, starting in the role of Commercial Lender. In 2015, Mike took over the VP/Chief Lending Officer role and oversees Arize’s consumer and commercial loan portfolios, as well as Arize’s branch network.
Mike has been a Centre County resident for almost 20 years and volunteers as a board member for several local non-profit organizations, including State College Area Meals on Wheels (Treasurer), Downtown Bellefonte, Inc. (Vice President); Centre County 4th Fest, Bellefonte Area Industrial Development Authority and is an active member of the State College Rotary Downtown Club.
Mike earned his BS in Marketing from the Pennsylvania State University and completed the CUNA Management School Executive Development Program, graduating with honors and earning a Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE) designation.
Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, traveling, playing golf, and cooking.
Ken Schirling
VP/ Chief Commercial Loan Officer
Ken Schirling is an Assistant Vice President and Commercial Lender who joined Arize Federal Credit Union in 2019. He has nearly 20 years of experience in the industry and has spent the last 15 years helping businesses in our region access the capital they need. He is experienced with commercial and investment real estate, equipment financing, lines of credit, and SBA lending.
Ken graduated from Penn State University in 2003 with a finance degree. He furthered his education by obtaining an MBA from West Chester University in 2019. He has also received industry-specific training as a 2008 RMA Commercial Lending School graduate and a 2012 graduate of the Pennsylvania Banker’s Association’s Advanced School of Banking.
Ken lives in Centre County with his wife and two daughters and is an active State College Sunrise Rotary member. He graduated from Leadership Centre County in 2016 and has served as Treasurer for local organizations such as the State College Sunrise Rotary and the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of RMA.
Christa Hosterman
Marketing Manager
Christa Hosterman began her career with the credit union nearly 15 years ago as a teller. Over the years, Christa gained experience in strategic marketing, branding, and digital marketing and moved into the role of Marketing Manager. As the Marketing Manager, Christa is responsible for overseeing the marketing department and leading the Arize staff in developing and executing member-focused marketing campaigns across all channels, brand-building, and community outreach.
Before joining Arize, Christa earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Pennsylvania State University. She attended the Credit Union Executive Society’s School of Strategic Marketing and earned a CSME designation.
Christa has lived in Centre County for 18 years and volunteers as a board member and home show committee member for The Builders Association of Central PA. Most recently, she joined the fund’s distribution committee for The Centre County United Way.
Outside of work, Christa enjoys spending time with her husband and son, kayaking, and spending time at the beach.
Barb Bernier
Director of Payment Operations
Barb Bernier has been with Arize since 2016. She has held the positions of Assistant Branch Manager and Branch Manager and transitioned to Operations Manager in 2020.
Barb has lived in Centre County since 2014. She earned her associate degree in Accounting from Penn State University.
Barb actively volunteers as a board member for Habitat for Humanity and sits on the ReStore committee. She also volunteers for the Red Cross and is currently training to be part of the Disaster Action Team. She enjoys making dinner for the residents of Out of the Cold.
Outside of work, Barb enjoys traveling, curling up with a good book, and spending time with her husband, Kurt, kids, and grandsons.
Ashley Dalton
College Ave Branch Manager
Ashley Dalton is the Branch Manager at Arize Federal Credit Union’s College Avenue office. She has been with the branch for over two years and with Arize for six years.
Ashley has a B.S. in Business Administration and Finance from Bloomsburg University. She started her banking career in 2010 at CNB Bank in Maryland before moving to Centre County in 2014, where she worked as a Mortgage Lending Assistant before coming to Arize.
Ashley was the chair person of the United Way campaign for two years and continues to enjoy helping with it each year.
Ashley enjoys spending time with her husband, two kids, and dog outside of work, traveling, and running.
Kristin Macafee
Science Park Branch Manager
Kristin Macafee joined the Arize team in January 2019 as a Senior Member Advocate. She also held the position of Assistant Branch Manager before becoming the Science Park Branch Manager in 2022.
Kristin became a resident of Centre County in 1991 while attending Penn State University. She graduated with a B.S. from the Smeal College of Business and worked in banking for several years before transitioning to Public Accounting for more than a decade. After taking some time off to stay home with her three children, Kristin returned to the workforce in a much different capacity; she became a Certified Montessori teacher and taught preschool for seven years. When the school closed its doors in 2018, Kristin decided to return to work in the financial industry.
Kristin regularly volunteers with Downtown Bellefonte Inc. and various other local organizations and has chaired Arize’s annual United Way campaign for several years.
In her spare time, Kristin enjoys reading, knitting, and quilting, but most of all, she laughs and spends time with her husband, children, and friends.
Bobbi Marshall
Huntingdon Branch Manager
Bobbi Marshall joined Arize in February 2019. She was hired as a Senior Member Advocate for the Huntingdon office and was promoted to branch manager in January of this year. Bobbi has been an Arize member for more than 20 years.
After graduating high school, Bobbi received her Associate’s degree in Business Management from Pennsylvania College of Technology. In 2019, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/ Management through Strayer University. Bobbi is pursuing a master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources. Bobbi also holds an LPN license. Bobbi has over 25 years of customer service experience and many years of experience as a supervisor and manager.
Bobbi was born and raised in Huntingdon County. She and her husband have two sons, ages 17 and 13. Bobbi enjoys traveling, watching baseball, walking, and spending time with her family outside work.