Member News

ROCHESTER, N.Y., January 8, 2026 – ESL Federal Credit Union recently announced 10 executive- and senior-level changes to its leadership team in support of the credit union’s strategic priorities to deliver superior customer experiences, operate efficiently, and drive sustainable growth.

 

The following individuals will hold new roles within the ESL senior leadership team, effective immediately:

 

• Arline Santiago, executive vice president, chief operating officer and general counsel
• Maureen Wolfe, executive vice president, chief administrative officer
• Jennifer Shoemaker, executive vice president/director, marketplace and strategy
• Ajamu Kitwana, senior vice president/director, purpose and community
• Jim Miller, senior vice president/director, operations
• Mike Prince, senior vice president/director, retail banking
• John Paul Perez, vice president/director, community impact
• Jillian Reitano, vice president/director, growth and strategy
• Chris Stewart, vice president/director, technology
• Caytie Bowser, senior vice president/director, product and delivery.

 

The new leadership structure aligns the credit union’s operations for CEO-elect, Tom Rogers, who will assume the role of President & CEO on April 1, 2026. Current ESL President & CEO, Faheem Masood, previously announced his intent to retire as of April 1, 2026.

 

“We value our strong leadership team here at ESL, with a combined total of more than 150 years of creating superior customer experience among these 10 individuals,” said Tom Rogers, executive vice president/CEO-elect. “The extensive knowledge and experience of these individuals serves to strengthen our strategic foundation and propel us towards our next chapter of sustainable growth, with a continued commitment to our community and customers.”

“These organizational changes reflect a long-term succession planning process led by our board and senior leadership team,” said Faheem Masood, ESL President & CEO. “This new leadership structure helps reinforce our financial stability and positions ESL to meet our strategic objectives in the years ahead.”

 

Arline Santiago joined ESL in 2008 as senior vice president/general counsel and assumed the role of executive vice president and chief administrative officer in 2022. As chief operating officer, she continues to oversee day-to-day legal and regulatory affairs as well as ensuring alignment of credit union operations to create superior customer experiences. Santiago holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University and a juris doctor degree from University of Pennsylvania Law School.

 

Maureen Wolfe started at ESL in 2005 and most recently served as executive vice president/director, human resource and community impact. As chief administrative officer, she retains the role of chief human resources officer and adds responsibility for oversight of the ESL audit, corporate real estate, and facilities teams. She earned an MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology after receiving a bachelor’s in communications from SUNY Geneseo.

 

Jennifer Shoemaker’s tenure with ESL began in 2004, and most recently served as senior vice president/director, corporate strategy and analytics since 2021. As executive vice president/director, marketplace and strategy she continues to oversee the corporate strategy team and adds oversight for retail banking, business banking, and wealth management lines of business. She holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Nazareth University.

 

Ajamu Kitwana assumes the role of senior vice president/director, purpose and community after more than 12 years with the credit union. He leads activities to leverage ESL core business assets, products and services, philanthropy, and community partnerships to help deliver on the ESL Purpose, to help the community thrive and prosper. Kitwana received a master’s degree in Business Administration from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and holds both his bachelor and master of science degrees in civil and environmental engineering from Stanford University.

 

Jim Miller first came to the ESL team in 2015 and most recently led the ESL mortgage and indirect auto lending teams as vice president/director, mortgage lending. In his new role as senior vice president/director, operations he is responsible for aligning credit union operations to deliver superior customer experiences. Miller holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Southern New Hampshire University.

 

Mike Prince is responsible for the management of the newly expanded 33-branch network across Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, and its Rochester-based Contact Center. In his nine-year tenure with the credit union, he most recently served as vice president/director, branch and contact center. Prince earned a bachelor’s and MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology.

 

 

Caytie Bowser holds more than 23 years’ experience with the company, and most recently served as senior vice president/director, product development and management. She continues to oversee responsibility for development and management of ESL’s product and service portfolios, digital engagement, customer experience, and adds oversight of ESL indirect auto lending and mortgage teams. Bowser holds a bachelor’s in business administration from SUNY Geneseo and an MBA from Rochester Institute of Technology.

 

John Paul Perez began his ESL career in 2023 after more than 25 years of nonprofit management. He most recently served as executive director, community impact with operational management and oversight of the ESL Charitable Foundation. As vice president/director, community impact, Perez assists with philanthropic community investments for the credit union aligned with expanding individual opportunity, building strong neighborhoods, strengthening local organizations and systems, and uplifting community stories. Perez holds a master’s degree from Eastern Nazarene College and an MBA from the Simon Business School at the University of Rochester

 

Jillian Reitano most recently served as manager, strategy management, and brings more than 20 years’ ESL experience to her role. As vice president/director, growth and strategy she leads the corporate planning process, including coordinating balanced scorecard results and ensuring activities align with the growth of the organization. Reitano holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from SUNY Brockport.

 

 

Chris Stewart brings more than two decades experience to the role of vice president/director, technology, including 14 years across IT roles at ESL. His new role is responsible for the design, management, and implementation across the ESL systems and technology environment. Stewart holds a bachelor’s degree in technology from Alfred State College.

 

 

About ESL Federal Credit Union

 

With more than 100 years of locally owned history, ESL Federal Credit Union serves as a full-service financial institution to more than 434,000 members and 16,800 businesses. Founded in 1920, the company provides personal banking, business banking, mortgage services and wealth management services through its locally based 33-branch network; telephone, mobile and online banking; and live chat center.

 

The Rochester-based financial institution employs more than 1,000 people across the Greater Rochester and Finger Lakes regions, with more than $9.8 billion in assets. Since 1996, ESL has paid out 30 consecutive Owners’ Dividends to its members totaling more than $320 million. As part of the creation of its Community Impact initiative in 2018, ESL has reinvested more than $153 million in grants throughout the community. The company has appeared on Great Place to Work® lists since 2010. ESL Federal Credit Union is headquartered at 225 Chestnut Street, in Rochester, and can be found online at www.esl.org.