First U.S. Community Credit Union Appoints Victor Mendoza as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Strengthening Its Commitment to Digital Innovation and Member-Centric Technology
First U.S. Community Credit Union has announced the appointment of Victor Mendoza, CCUE, as its new Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO). In this strategically significant leadership role, Mendoza will serve on the Executive Leadership Team and oversee all information systems and security functions, programming operations, and enterprise-wide information technology initiatives. His arrival marks an important step in the credit union’s ongoing efforts to enhance digital capabilities, bolster cybersecurity, and deliver seamless technological experiences to its growing member base.
The appointment comes at a time when financial institutions—particularly credit unions—are navigating an era of accelerated digital transformation. Members increasingly expect intuitive digital banking platforms, secure online services, and responsive support as part of their everyday financial interactions. Recognizing these evolving needs, First U.S. Community Credit Union has made technology modernization a top priority, ensuring it remains competitive while staying true to its long-standing mission of improving the financial well-being of its members. Mendoza’s selection reflects both the credit union’s strategic direction and its dedication to building a leadership team equipped to guide the institution through a dynamic and technology-driven future.
A Leader with Deep Credit Union Technology Expertise
Victor Mendoza brings more than two decades of progressive IT leadership experience within the credit union industry. Throughout his career, he has gained a reputation for building secure, stable, and scalable technology environments that support both current business needs and long-term institutional growth. His expertise spans a wide range of critical domains, including cybersecurity, digital banking, cloud adoption, systems integration, infrastructure optimization, and enterprise software development.
Before joining First U.S. Community Credit Union, Mendoza most recently served as Vice President of Information Technology at UNCLE Credit Union. In this role, he developed and executed technology strategies that supported organizational expansion, enhanced system security, and improved digital member services. His work included leading complex, transformational projects—such as platform migrations, cloud-based deployments, and multi-layer cybersecurity enhancements—all aimed at strengthening operational resilience and elevating the digital experience for members. His ability to translate evolving technology trends into practical, member-focused enhancements has made him a trusted and influential figure in the credit union technology landscape.
Over the years, Mendoza has demonstrated a strong ability to collaborate with stakeholders across business units, fostering a culture of innovation and cross-functional partnership. His approach to leadership emphasizes both technical excellence and people-focused strategy, ensuring employees feel empowered to adopt new technologies while maintaining a strong organizational commitment to service, security, and member trust.
Strengthening the Credit Union’s Technology Infrastructure
In his new role as Senior Vice President and CIO at First U.S. Community Credit Union, Mendoza will assume responsibility for overseeing the organization’s entire technology infrastructure. This includes managing core systems, networks, data security, digital channels, IT operations, and software development initiatives. He will also lead the teams responsible for information systems, programming, and technology support, working to ensure these functions operate cohesively, efficiently, and in alignment with the credit union’s strategic objectives.
Cybersecurity will be one of Mendoza’s key areas of focus. With cyber threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, credit unions must maintain robust defense systems, continuously assess vulnerabilities, and adopt proactive mitigation strategies. Mendoza’s deep experience in designing and implementing multi-layer security protocols positions him well to strengthen First U.S.’s cybersecurity posture. Under his leadership, the credit union is expected to enhance threat monitoring, increase member data protection, and implement advanced cyber resilience strategies that support both regulatory compliance and operational continuity.
Beyond cybersecurity, Mendoza will spearhead efforts to enhance digital platforms, including online and mobile banking services. As member preferences continue shifting toward digital-first engagement, the ability to deliver intuitive, secure, and seamless digital tools is essential. Mendoza’s background in developing high-performing digital ecosystems will allow First U.S. to introduce new features, refine existing platforms, and explore innovations in payments, digital onboarding, data analytics, and personalized financial services.
A Commitment to Innovation and Member-Centric Strategy
Shonna Shearson, President and CEO of First U.S. Community Credit Union, emphasized the significance of Mendoza’s appointment in a statement expressing her confidence in his ability to strengthen the credit union’s technological foundation.
“Victor’s deep understanding of both credit union operations and modern technology imperatives makes him an outstanding addition to our leadership team,” Shearson said. “As we honor our heritage while evolving to meet the rapidly changing needs of our members, Victor will play a critical role in advancing our digital capabilities through secure and member-focused strategies.”
She added that Mendoza’s combination of experience, innovation mindset, and member-centric thinking aligns perfectly with the organization’s mission. As First U.S. continues to enhance service quality and evolve its digital offerings, Mendoza’s leadership will help the institution remain responsive to the financial needs and expectations of its diverse membership base.
Mendoza echoed this excitement, noting the unique opportunity to help shape the credit union’s technological direction at a pivotal time for the industry. He expressed enthusiasm for the chance to collaborate with colleagues across the organization, leverage emerging technologies, and contribute to meaningful advancements that support member financial empowerment.
“I am delighted to join the team at First U.S. at such an exciting point in its evolution,” Mendoza said. “I look forward to collaborating with the team to build resilient, innovative technology solutions that empower our members’ financial lives and uphold the trust they place in us each day.”
Preparing for a Rapidly Changing Technology Landscape
The financial services industry is undergoing significant transformation, driven by rapid advancements in digital technology, increasing competition from fintech firms, evolving cybersecurity threats, and changing consumer behavior. For credit unions, this environment presents both challenges and opportunities. Institutions that successfully leverage technology can deepen member relationships, streamline operations, and offer differentiated services that set them apart in a crowded marketplace.
As CIO, Mendoza will play a key role in helping First U.S. navigate this landscape by developing technology strategies that balance innovation with stability and security. Key areas expected to fall under his leadership include:
- Expanding digital member engagement tools, such as personalized financial dashboards, improved mobile applications, and enhanced digital self-service capabilities.
- Strengthening system security, including identity protection, fraud monitoring, and data privacy controls.
- Integrating modern infrastructure solutions, such as cloud architecture, virtualization, and advanced data analytics.
- Improving operational efficiency through automation, workflow enhancements, and modernized back-office systems.
- Supporting compliance and regulatory readiness in an increasingly complex cybersecurity and data management landscape.
- Driving cultural transformation, helping teams embrace new tools, workflows, and digital-first processes.
Mendoza’s leadership will not only focus on operational excellence but also on innovation—exploring emerging technologies such as AI-driven fraud detection, cloud-native development, modern payments infrastructure, and next-generation digital banking capabilities that can help shape the future of the credit union.
A Credentialed Leader Committed to Continuous Growth
Victor Mendoza holds the Certified Credit Union Executive (CCUE) credential from the Western Credit Union Management School, a respected program designed to strengthen leadership excellence in the credit union industry. This certification reflects his commitment to professional development and his dedication to understanding the unique operational, strategic, and regulatory dynamics that define credit union leadership.
Additionally, Mendoza continues to stay ahead of industry trends by engaging in ongoing education and training in areas such as cybersecurity, cloud technologies, digital transformation, and emerging IT governance frameworks. His proactive approach ensures he remains equipped to guide First U.S. Community Credit Union through the evolving challenges and opportunities of the digital era.
Guiding First U.S. Into the Future
As First U.S. Community Credit Union embarks on its next chapter of technological growth, Victor Mendoza’s appointment as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer marks a significant milestone. With his extensive experience, collaborative leadership style, and forward-thinking approach to technology, he is well-positioned to help the credit union strengthen its digital foundation, elevate member experiences, and continue building a secure, innovative, and resilient financial institution.
Mendoza’s role will be instrumental in shaping the future of First U.S. as it deepens its commitment to member service, embraces digital transformation, and upholds its long tradition of supporting the financial well-being of the communities it serves. Through his leadership, the credit union aims to deliver technology solutions that are not only efficient and secure but also meaningful, accessible, and aligned with the needs of its members today and for years to come.
