ValleyStar Credit Union names new CEO

Martinsville-based ValleyStar Credit Union hired Mike Warrell as CEO, it announced Wednesday.

“As ValleyStar strengthens relationships and builds upon its digital integration, Mike Warrell was the clear choice to move the credit union forward,” ValleyStar Chairman James Rorrer said in a statement. “He has the experience and deep understanding needed to optimize member engagement and support the empowered workforce that makes up the ValleyStar team.”

Warrell was president and CEO of Fairfield, California-based Solano First Federal Credit Union, which is now a division of Valley Strong Credit Union. In 2015, the National Association Federally-Insured Credit Unions awarded Warrell “CEO of North America.”

“I take this role as CEO of ValleyStar with profound clarity that I am here to support our ValleyStar team, members and community, while ensuring ValleyStar leads innovation,” Warrell said. “I look forward to working alongside the successful and collaborative team in place at ValleyStar and thank the board for its trust in me.”

Warrell has served as president of the northern region of Valley Strong Credit Union, vice president of business development, assistant vice president of member service and president and owner of a lease savings company.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Plymouth State College, now Plymouth State University, and a graduate certificate in innovation engineering from The University of Maine. Warrell also graduated from the Filene i³ Program, a two-year leadership program for credit union professionals.

Founded in 1953, ValleyStar has more than $550 million in assets and operates branch locations in Collinsville, Danville, Martinsville, Richmond, Roanoke, Rocky Mount and Waynesboro and a loan center in Fishersville.