HADLEY — UMassFive College Federal Credit Union has announced a planned leadership transition, as President and CEO Richard Kump prepares to retire following a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years in the credit union industry.

Following a comprehensive selection process, the board of directors has unanimously appointed Lauren Duffy, currently executive vice president and chief operating officer, as the next president and CEO, effective June 1. Kump will continue to support UMassFive as a senior advisor to Duffy through the end of 2026.

Duffy is a 27-year veteran of the credit union industry, including the last 21 years at UMassFive. In her current role, she has played an integral role in shaping the credit union’s strategic direction and enhancing both member and employee experience. She has led numerous major initiatives, including core data processing, credit card, and digital banking upgrades, and also guided the evolution of UMassFive’s mission, values and long-term vision.

Lauren is also actively engaged in leadership across the credit union industry and in the communities UMassFive serves. She serves on the board of directors of UMassFive-owned Member Advantage Mortgage, which she has chaired since 2021, and is a trustee of the Cooperative Fund of the Northeast, where she chairs the Loan Committee.

She is also involved in legislative advocacy to promote and protect access to credit unions for all, representing Massachusetts on the Cooperative Credit Union Association’s Advocacy Committee and serving as a PAC Trustee for America’s Credit Unions. In addition, she contributes at the national level as a member of America’s Credit Unions’ Advocacy Policy Committee.

Her community involvement includes engagement with organizations such as Northampton Public Schools, the Mount Holyoke College Alumnae Association, and Boston Children’s Hospital. She is a graduate of the UMass Isenberg School of Management MBA program, earning her degree in 2023.

The board also expressed its appreciation to Kump for his leadership and lasting impact on the organization.

During his time as president and CEO, UMassFive grew from 37,000 members and $460 million in assets to more than 50,000 members and over $712 million in assets. He led the organization through significant historical moments and milestones, including the launch of its Commercial Services division, the successful merger with Northampton V.A.F. Federal Credit Union, the transition of its Wealth Management program, and navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

HOLYOKE – Holyoke Community College has hired Julissa Colón of South Hadley as the college’s first dean of student experience.

Colón, 44, is a 2013 graduate of HCC. She started working at the college in 2010 as a clerk for the Gateway to College program and earned her associate degree in liberal arts.

With the help of HCC’s Pathways Program, she transferred to Smith College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies and History and was subsequently hired as special programs coordinator for Gateway to College.

While continuing to work full time, she earned a master’s degree in public administration and a graduate certificate in gender leadership and public policy at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

In 2020, Colón was hired as the inaugural director of El Centro, HCC’s bilingual support program.

Now, as the first dean of student experience, she oversees new student programs, including orientation; Student Engagement, which includes student clubs and activities; wellness programs, including the college’s on-campus partnership with the Center for Human Development; and Commencement. She also serves as chair of the HCC Care Team and as the student conduct officer.

Colón grew up in Springfield and is the mother of two grown children, Christian Aponte, 20, and Luna Aponte, 25, a 2021 HCC graduate.

EASTHAMPTON — bankESB has appointed Michael Missle as vice president, cash management.

Missle has 25 years of banking experience, and expertise in treasury and payment services. In his new role, Missle will lead the bank’s cash management strategy, delivering solutions to help business clients optimize liquidity, streamline operations, and enhance financial efficiency.

Prior to joining bankESB, Missle served as vice president of cash management at HarborOne Bank, where he was responsible for developing and managing comprehensive cash management services. Before that, he held the role of vice president, application services at Brookline Bank, overseeing critical banking technology platforms.

Missle holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Vermont. He is an active member of the University of Vermont Alumni Association and the Camp Bauercrest Alumni Association.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) launched the Patriot Pitch Competition, a national celebration of 250 years of American free enterprise and the small businesses that drive innovation, create jobs and generate economic growth. Featuring a $1 million cash prize pool donated by cloud-based Android point of sale platform Clover Network, Inc., the competition is open to eligible small businesses that represent the promise of American innovation and opportunity, and who have utilized qualifying SBA capital products.

The Patriot Pitch Competition will progress through four stages of judging, with submissions evaluated on strengthening American competitiveness; innovating and demonstrating an outsized impact within an industry; delivering economic opportunity and quality jobs; and showing strong fundamentals and execution readiness.

The competition will culminate in a one-day finals event in Washington, D.C., to be held in September, where the top finalists will pitch live before a panel of notable judges and a national audience for national recognition and the opportunity to win a share of the $1 million prize pool funded by Clover.

In addition to the live competition, the Patriot Pitch finals event will feature speakers from business, government and industry; a supplier matchmaking expo connecting small businesses with larger companies and contracting opportunities; and networking opportunities with investors, industry leaders and policymakers.

Small business owners interested in competing are encouraged to submit an application by June 10. Additional details on eligibility, competition stages and event programming can be found at sba.gov/freedom250.