Fred Cruz and Donna Riley Join Valley First’s Board of Directors,
Christopher L. Barnes and Gilbert Lovinsky Join the Credit Union’s Supervisory Committee
MODESTO, Calif. (June 11, 2024) – Valley First Credit Union, a Central Valley-based credit union serving its growing and diverse members, welcomes Fred Cruz and Donna Riley to its Board of Directors and Christopher L. Barnes and Gilbert Lovinsky to its Supervisory Committee. Valley First Credit Union’s Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee are leaders in driving the credit union’s success. Community-oriented and service-minded, they are motivated individuals with a passion for the financial well-being of the credit union’s members.
"We’re honored to welcome Fred and Donna to our Board of Directors and Christopher and Gilbert to our Supervisory Committee," said Kathryn J. Davis, President and CEO at Valley First Credit Union. “They each bring incredible knowledge, experience and a unique perspective to our team and will play a critical role in the governance, strategic oversight and long-term value for our organization, members and the communities we serve.”
As Vice Chairperson on Valley First’s Board of Directors, Fred Cruz brings over 31 years of leadership and experience. Cruz is a Quality Engineer at San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. He has been a Valley First member since its merger with Stanislaus County Federal Credit Union (FCU) and Vintage FCU in 1999. Cruz was elected to the Stanislaus FCU Supervisory Committee in 1996 and its Board of Directors in 1998. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA in Finance from California State University.
With over 31 years with Stanislaus County, Donna Riley, currently the Treasurer-Tax Collector, joins the Valley First Board of Directors as a Director. A Valley First member for nearly 30 years, Riley has served on the credit union’s Supervisory Committee since 2021. She has served on numerous government and community boards, including the Stanislaus County Employee Retirement Association (StanCERA) and the Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO). Riley graduated from San Francisco State University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Analysis.
Christopher L. Barnes, a seasoned Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with over 15 years of experience in business, accounting, auditing and information technology, joins Valley First’s Supervisory Committee. Barnes has served on several committees and boards, including the City of Waterford’s Parks and Recreation Committee and Planning Commission, the California Society of CPAs, the San Joaquin Chapter Board of Directors as Chapter President and Chair of the Estate Planning Committee.
Currently serving as the Global Logistics Functional Lead at E. & J. Gallo Winery, Gilbert Lovinsky joins Valley First’s Supervisory Committee. A Valley First member since 2022, Lovinsky is passionate about giving back to the community through active participation in the credit union's governance. As a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) certification with prior board experience, he brings comprehensive auditing, accounting, compliance, credit risk assessment, operations, and international business experience to Valley First’s Supervisory Committee.
About Valley First Credit Union
Valley First Credit Union is a $1.02 billion, member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative providing quality financial services to 80,000 members in the growing and diverse communities of Calaveras, Fresno, Kings, Kern, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sacramento, Tulare, and Tuolumne Counties. With eight branches throughout the Central Valley, the credit union is committed to banking with a purpose – to better the financial lives of the people and businesses in the communities we call home. To learn more about how Valley First is making good happen across the communities it serves, see the credit union’s 2023 Impact Report or visit www.valleyfirstcu.org/.
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