Information as of: December 31, 2024
Media inquiries can be submitted to: Karen Bigelow ([email protected]), or you can also email us at [email protected].
Requests for sponsorship should be directed to: Jonathan Burns ([email protected])
 |
Jamie HarrisonEVP/Chief Growth Officer |
Ms. Harrison has been with Meritrust since 2005 and in the credit union and banking industries for more than 25 years. Ms. Harrison earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Wichita State University and her MBA from Newman University, and she is Design-Thinking certified. In her current role at Meritrust, she leads new customer acquisition, member engagement and loyalty programs, deposit growth strategies, product development, digital and member UX strategies, FOM and market expansion strategies, marketing, communication and brand equity initiatives, and community partnership/engagement efforts.
Within the local community she serves on the board for the WSU Widener Global Leadership Program, the WSU Barton School Marketing Advisory Council, the Greater Wichita Partnership Strategy Team, the Tanganyika Wildlife Park Foundation and as a mentor for several community groups.
 |
Ken BotelerEVP/Chief Human Resource Officer |
Mr. Boteler has been in the credit union industry for over seven years after a thirty-year military career. He oversees human resources, workforce planning, internal communications, employee engagement, and organizational learning and development. In addition to this, he is a part of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Council. Within the local community, he stays active with local non-profits and chambers.
 |
Jess HowardEVP/Chief Financial Officer |
Mr. Howard joined Meritrust in 2016 and has more than 20 years of experience in various finance and accounting roles. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Western New Mexico University. In his current role, he oversees accounting and finance, financial planning and analysis, asset protection, credit, and internal audit. Within the local community, he stays active with local non-profits and serves in advisory and board capacities as a representative of Meritrust.
 |
Joley RileyEVP/Chief Banking Officer |
Mrs. Riley has been with Meritrust for over four years and has over 25 years of banking experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management from Baker University and is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking – University of Wisconsin. In her role at Meritrust, Mrs. Riley oversees all the consumer retail channels, retail branch delivery, contact center interactive teller and virtual branch teams, consumer lending, and real estate. In addition to this, she is a part of Meritrust’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Council.
 |
Chris VinallEVP/Chief Business Transformation Officer |
Mr. Vinall has spent nearly five years in the credit union industry and has over thirty years of experience in the information technology and cybersecurity field in various industries from automotive, airlines, e-commerce to financial services. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado, and in 2023 he received the Colorado Orbie award for Corporate CIO of the year. In his current role at Meritrust, Mr. Vinall oversees data solutions, technological infrastructure, digital solutions, and information security. In his spare time, he volunteers organizing and working community events.
 |
Carlos PachecoCo-CEO |
In 2025, following a strategic merger between Meritrust Credit Union and Premier Members Credit Union, Mr. Pacheco assumed the role and is currently serving as Co-CEO at Meritrust. He brings more than 35 years of financial services experience, including serving as CEO/President of Premier Members Credit Union for 14 years. He serves in a variety of leadership roles in both for-profit and not-for-profits financial sectors. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
Mr. Pacheco also remains active in the community, serving on the boards of the Better Business Bureau of the Great West & Pacific, Mile High United Way, Impact on Education Boulder, as well as the Board of Directors of Alloya Corporate Federal Credit Union. He also dedicates his time and talent to Junior Achievement USA Programs.
 |
James NastarsCo-CEO |
Mr. Nastars served as CEO/President of Meritrust for 12 years and in 2025, following a strategic merger between Meritrust Credit Union and Premier Members Credit Union, assumed the role and is currently serving as Co-CEO at Meritrust. He brings more than 35 years of experience in credit unions and community banking. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin.
Within the Wichita community, he currently serves on the board of Kansas Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Greater Wichita Partnership’s Executive Advisory Board, the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement National Advisory Board as well as the Kansas State University Institute for Personal Financial Planning Advisory Board. Within the credit union industry, Mr. Nastars serves on the Board of CU NextGen Technologies, and as Board Chair of MEMBERS Development Corporation (MDC), the credit union’s research and development consortium.