Our Executive and Senior Leadership Team

Carrie L. Birkhofer has served as President and CEO of Bay Federal Credit Union since 1995. Her passion lies in helping the community thrive and expanding economic opportunities through access to locally-owned financial products and services. Under Carrie’s leadership, Bay Federal Credit Union has grown from $70 million to over $1.6 billion in assets. Carrie collaborates with the Senior Leadership Team and the volunteer Board of Directors to define and implement the Credit Union’s vision and mission, ensuring that strategy is executed while prioritizing the member and employee experience. Since 2015, Bay Federal has been recognized for its award-winning culture and service, earning distinctions as one of the Best Places to Work and the Best Places to Bank.

Carrie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and is a Certified Public Accountant. She is a dedicated community leader, recognized as Woman of the Year in 2018 by the Santa Cruz Area Chamber of Commerce and inducted into the Monterey Bay Hall of Fame in 2023 by Junior Achievement. Carrie has served in numerous leadership roles, including Past President and Scholarship Chair of the Scotts Valley Rotary Club, CAP Committee Chair for the Cabrillo College Foundation, Secretary for the Salinas Valley Health Foundation, and a Board member for the California Nevada Credit Union League.

In her free time, Carrie enjoys exercising, reading novels, traveling, and learning to play guitar.
 

Cameron Haste is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer at Bay Federal Credit Union, the largest locally owned financial institution serving Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey Counties. In his role, Cameron provides strategic leadership and operational oversight, ensuring the alignment of organizational strategy, objectives, and priorities. He collaborates closely with the Chief Executive Officer, Senior Leadership Team, and Board of Directors to drive innovation, operational excellence, and exceptional member experiences. He is dedicated to fostering a collaborative, results-oriented culture across the organization, driving impactful solutions that advance the credit union’s mission and enhance the financial well-being of its members.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Cameron is involved in community initiatives that promote youth engagement, education, social services, and food equality. He serves as Board Chair for Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County and as a board member of the SLVUSD Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (Measure S). His past leadership roles include Board Chair for Hope Services, President of the San Lorenzo Valley Rotary Club, and involvement with various nonprofit organizations across the region.

Cameron holds a bachelor’s degree in international business from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and is a Certified Credit Union Executive. He has completed the Credit Union Executives Society CEO Institute and is an alumnus of Leadership Santa Cruz and Leadership Monterey County. Outside of work, Cameron enjoys adventure travel experiences.

Trisha Bennett is the Vice President of Enterprise Application and Project Management Office at Bay Federal Credit Union. In this role, Trisha oversees enterprise application support to ensure alignment with the Credit Union's technology service model. She also develops and implements project management strategies, governance, and operational standards.

Trisha joined Bay Federal in 2019 as Assistant Vice President of Enterprise Application and Project Management Office, bringing 20 years of combined experience in credit unions and IT. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology from the University of California, Davis, along with a Business Analysis Certification from the university’s extension program. Trisha has furthered her education by earning her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute.

An active community member, Trisha serves on the Board of Directors for the Pescadero Arts and Fun Festival and as Secretary of the Pescadero Community Foundation. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her family and exploring all that the Santa Cruz Mountains have to offer.

Ryan Cash is the Senior Vice President and Chief Experience Officer at Bay Federal Credit Union. He oversees the coordination and delivery of the member experience across all channels, including the branch network, investment services, call center, and digital banking solutions.

Ryan joined Bay Federal in 2015 and has more than 22 years of experience in the financial services industry. Before joining Bay Federal, he held a variety of management roles, including Vice President of Consumer Lending at Financial Partners Credit Union, Manager of Consumer Lending, Underwriting, and Credit Risk at Logix Federal Credit Union, and Operations Manager at Santa Cruz Community Credit Union.

Ryan holds a master’s degree in business administration from Pepperdine University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He is actively involved in the community and serves as treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Cruz County.
 

Stephanie Como is the Vice President of Digital Services at Bay Federal Credit Union. She oversees member interactions across digital channels, including online and mobile banking platforms, the member service center, and the digital member service team.

Stephanie joined Bay Federal in 2023, bringing over 15 years of experience in the financial industry, including nine years in credit unions. She has extensive expertise in user experience optimization, process excellence, and project management. Stephanie earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ave Maria University and has completed multiple professional certifications, including Project Management Professional, Lean Six Sigma, Design Thinking, Journey Mapping, and UX.

When she’s not empowering her team to achieve incredible goals, Stephanie enjoys spending time at the beach with her husband, daughter, and two dogs.

Mark Ely is the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Bay Federal Credit Union. He oversees the Credit Union’s enterprise-wide marketing strategy, driving growth, brand recognition, and member engagement. Mark leads data-driven initiatives that enhance the Credit Union’s strategic vision and foster team development.

With nearly two decades in the credit union industry, Mark previously served as Vice President of Digital Engagement and Research at Members 1st Federal Credit Union and Vice President of Marketing at Securityplus Federal Credit Union. He also held leadership roles in marketing, business development, and branch operations at Hershey Federal Credit Union.

Mark holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Marketing from Lebanon Valley College. He serves on the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology IT Board of Advisors, contributing his expertise to the evolving intersection of technology and financial services.

Outside of work, Mark enjoys the simple pleasures of life. Ask him about his definition of perfect happiness, and he’ll tell you it’s a summer evening in the backyard—children laughing nearby, his wife by his side, the grass freshly cut, and absolutely nowhere else he needs to be.
 

Alicia Flores is the Vice President of Member Services at Bay Federal Credit Union. Alicia began her career as a part-time teller at Bay Federal in 1981 and brings over 40 years of experience in the financial services industry. She oversees the Credit Union’s seven branch locations and leads the team of branch managers.

Alicia is responsible for all aspects of branch operations, including member experience, production initiatives, sales and business development efforts, and upholding the organization’s high member service standards. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Conflict Resolution Center of Santa Cuz and as Treasurer for Watsonville Arts and Empowerment.

Brooke Morley is the Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer at Bay Federal Credit Union. Brooke first joined Bay Federal in 2008, serving as Assistant Vice President of Lending until 2014. She then moved on to lead lending teams at various other credit unions before rejoining Bay Federal in 2021.

In her current role as Chief Product Officer, Brooke oversees the Credit Union’s product management and servicing, including deposit and loan products, payments, and fraud prevention. She collaborates closely with the member service and lending teams to support the Credit Union’s lending programs and provides strategic guidance for automation and efficiency initiatives.

Brooke holds two bachelor’s degrees from Santa Clara University, one in economics and one in finance. She is also a graduate of Leadership Santa Cruz County.

Richard Roark is the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Bay Federal Credit Union. Since joining the organization in 2016, Richard has led the Technology and Information Security departments, as well as the Business Intelligence area and the Project Management Office, ensuring the best and most secure banking experience for members. He brings extensive knowledge of the financial services industry, coupled with a strong commitment to team building and implementing best-of-breed technologies.

Prior to Bay Federal, Richard spent more than 20 years at Travis Credit Union, where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. During his tenure at Travis, he also held roles as Vice President of Information Technology, Vice President of Process Improvement and Network Security, and Assistant Vice President of Network Security and Operations.

Richard is an alumnus of the Credit Union Executives Society and holds the Certified Chief Executive designation. He earned a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from Barrington University and serves as a board member for several security organizations, where he contributes to product and service direction for the benefit of all credit unions.

Creedence Shaw is the Senior Vice President and Chief Business Services Officer at Bay Federal Credit Union. In this role, he leads the Business Services team, delivering tailored financial solutions to small and middle-market businesses to support economic growth and foster local job creation in the communities Bay Federal serves.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Shaw is deeply committed to community service. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Santa Cruz County Long Term Recovery Group and is an active member of the Santa Cruz County Search and Rescue team. His contributions have been especially impactful during challenging times, including his work supporting local recovery efforts after the CZU fires and distributing over $500 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An avid outdoor enthusiast, Mr. Shaw enjoys running, cycling, sailing, and hiking in his free time. His adventurous spirit and dedication to both his professional and personal pursuits reflect his passion for making a positive difference in the community.
 

Michael Smith joined Bay Federal Credit Union in 2022, bringing nearly two decades of experience in the financial industry. His background includes expertise in mortgage lending, operations and risk management, and customer service. Prior to joining Bay Federal, Michael served as Assistant Vice President of Real Estate Lending at SAFE Credit Union, where he oversaw a growing mortgage team similar to Bay Federal’s.

Michael holds a master’s degree in business administration from California State University, Sacramento, where he also earned his bachelor’s degree in government. Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife and two children.

Allyson Stengl is the Vice President of Consumer and Business Lending at Bay Federal Credit Union. Allyson joined the organization in 2011 as a loan underwriter and has since served in various roles, including Team Lead, Consumer Lending Manager, Assistant Vice President of Consumer Lending, and most recently, Vice President of Consumer Lending.

In her current role, Allyson oversees all of the Credit Union's consumer lending functions and business lending initiatives. She holds a bachelor's degree in business management and small business entrepreneurship from Sonoma State University. Allyson is also a graduate of Western CUNA Management School, Leadership Santa Cruz County, and the inaugural class of BayFed University, the Credit Union's management training program.

A resident of Aptos, Allyson lives with her husband and two children.

Rita Toston is the Vice President of Risk Management at Bay Federal Credit Union. She directs the Enterprise Risk Management program and monitors the Credit Union’s overall risk profile. Rita joined Bay Federal with 20 years of banking experience, including consulting through her own LLC for various small community banks and fintech firms. Her prior roles include compliance, audit, and operations positions at Citibank, where she served as Senior Vice President of Compliance Testing, supporting all U.S. personal banking.

Rita holds a bachelor’s degree in management and finance from Park University and a master’s degree in business administration from Ottawa University. She also earned the Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) certification and is a Certified Bank Secrecy Act Professional (CBSAP).

Outside of work, Rita enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her spouse, her two sons, and their Rottweiler puppy, Cody.

Rick Weiss is the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Bay Federal Credit Union. He joined the organization in 2013 and brings over 34 years of financial leadership experience within the credit union industry. He oversees all aspects of accounting and finance for the Credit Union.

Prior to joining Bay Federal, Rick served as Vice President of Finance for First Tech Federal Credit Union. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from San Jose State University.

Rick is actively involved in the community, serving as treasurer on the Santa Cruz County Chamber Board of Directors and the Santa Cruz County Business Council. He is a past member and treasurer of the Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County Board of Trustees. 
 

As the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Bay Federal Credit Union, Patty Winters champions the strategic integration of human capital management with organizational objectives. Her leadership ensures that every HR initiative—from talent acquisition to organizational development—aligns seamlessly with the Credit Union’s overarching goals. By embedding strategy into recruitment, employee engagement, and leadership development, Patty plays a pivotal role in fostering a culture that drives business performance.

Since joining Bay Federal in 2012, Patty has leveraged nearly 30 years of experience to transform HR into a strategic partner that delivers measurable business outcomes. Her expertise lies at the intersection of strategy, talent, and culture, ensuring that HR not only supports but propels the Credit Union’s mission forward. She also oversees the Facilities Department, ensuring a safe, secure, and dynamic environment for staff and members alike.

A graduate of Purdue University with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR), Patty’s commitment to strategic excellence extends beyond the workplace. As Chair for Women in Philanthropy and a board member of United Way of Santa Cruz County, she aligns her professional and community leadership with a shared vision for impactful, purpose-driven success.