Joseph Kregul, Board Chair

CEO, HealthCare Associates CU

Joe Kregul is the President/CEO of HealthCare Associates Credit Union in Naperville Illinois. Prior to joining the credit union arena, he was always involved with financial services including leasing, banking, and even the regulator space via the RTC (Resolution Trust Corporation) and the FDIC. Joe is an alumnus of Lewis University with degrees in accounting and business administration and holds the Credit Union Executive Society CSE and CCE designations. Locally and outside of the credit union focus, he served as the board chair of Northwestern Medicine’s Project SEARCH business advisory council.

Michael Abraham, Board Vice Chair

CSO, Great Lakes Credit Union

Jose Garcia, Board Treasurer

CEO, Northwest Community CU

Jose Garcia joined Northwest Community Credit Union as President/CEO in 2012. With over 30 years of financial experience; 19 of which have been in the credit union industry, Jose has applied his expertise to assist both consumers and businesses. A strong advocate of financial literacy, Jose was instrumental in developing an on campus, student run credit union at Saint Xavier University. Recently recognized as one of Chicago’s Business Leaders of Color, Jose sits on numerous boards where he champions the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People.”

Pete Fauth, Board Secretary

CEO, Financial Plus CU

Pete Fauth is the CEO/President of Financial Plus Credit Union in Ottawa, Illinois. Pete has a long history of involvement with the Tri-County Chapter beginning in 1994 when he took on the role of the Chapter Legislative Forum Representative, advocating on behalf of credit unions at numerous CUNA GACs and State Legislative Summits. Pete also serves on the CUPAC Board of Directors and as Illinois’ delegate on the federal CULAC Board of Trustees. He was elected to the League board in 2023.

Deborah Fears, Credit Union At-Large

President/CEO, Chicago Post Office ECU

Deborah Fears has been President/CEO of Chicago Post Office Employees Credit Union since 2020. She has worked in the credit union movement over 13 years, focused in financial management. Prior to joining the industry, she spent several years working in human resources. Deborah received a B.S. in Finance with minor studies in Japanese from DePaul University. She holds credit union designations of CUDE and CCUFC. Deborah serves on various credit union committees, including CUNA’s Small Credit Union Committee, and the ICUL’s Chicago Metro Chapter (Chairperson), among others.

Steven W. Gorrie, Credit Union At-Large

Steven W. Gorrie, President/CEO, State Farm FCU

Steve Gorrie has worked in the insurance and financial services industry for more than 30 years. He currently serves as the President and CEO for State Farm Federal Credit Union, where he joined in 2009 and formerly held the role of Chief Operations Officer (COO) ) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Steve earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from the University of Illinois and his Certified Chief Executive (CCE) designation from the Credit Union Executive Society.

Doug Patterson, Credit Union At-Large

CEO, Streator Onized Credit Union

Doug Patterson is the CEO of Streator Onized Credit Union. Prior to joining SOCU in 2021, he spent 23 years in community banking with an emphasis on lending and underwriting. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the University of Illinois, later completing the Graduate School of Banking program at Madison, WI. Doug has served on boards and committees for a number of community groups throughout the North Central Illinois region.

Mary Ann Pusateri, Credit Union At-Large

CEO, Partnership Financial CU

Mary Ann E Pusateri has been the CEO of Partnership Financial Credit Union in Morton Grove since 1988. Prior to joining PFCU, she was a Credit Union Examiner with the IDFPR for two years. Mary Ann is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in Finance and holds the Certified Chief Executive designation from the Credit Union Executive Society.

Danita Swanson, League At-Large

CEO, 2 Rivers Area Credit Union

Danita Swanson started with 2 Rivers Area CU in 1985 and has been the CEO of 2 Rivers Area CU since 1996. Danita is currently serving as Chairman of the Kankakee Chapter and has been on the Chapter Board since 1996. As a teenager she volunteered at St. Martins CU where her Mom was the Manager.