National Cooperative Bank Announces 2026 Board of Directors and Leadership

Arlington, VA (May 14, 2026) — National Cooperative Bank (NCB), a leading financial services company dedicated to serving cooperatives, their members, and socially responsible organizations nationwide, is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors.

Joining the Board are Greg Ferrara, President and CEO of the National Grocers Association; Murray Williams, President and CEO of the Iowa Credit Union League and CEO of Affiliates Management Company; and Debra Huddleston, Managing Director at Brean Capital, who returns to the Board after previously serving as NCB Board Chair.  

Maria Smedley, Vice President – Human Resources, Performance Foodservice, Little Rock, AR was also reelected for a second term on NCB's Board. 

NCB extends its sincere appreciation to Robyn DesHotel, Brian Obergfell, and Andy Reicher, whose terms have concluded following six years of dedicated service.

The Bank also announces new Board leadership. Thomas Fink, a seasoned capital markets executive, has been named Board Chair, and Caroline Blakely, former President and CEO of Rebuilding Together, has been named Vice Chair.

NCB’s Board reflects a diverse range of expertise across industries where cooperatives play a vital role. The 2026 Board of Directors includes:

• Thomas Fink (Chair), Capital Markets Executive, New York, NY
• Caroline Blakely (Vice Chair), Former President & CEO, Rebuilding Together, Washington, DC
• Josh Ablett, Chief Information Security Officer, Adelia Associates, New Bedford, MA
• Bill Bush, CFO, SparkFund, Washington, DC
• Gerardo Espinoza, Executive Director, Local Enterprise Assistance Fund, Boston, MA
• Greg Ferrara, President & CEO, National Grocers Association, Washington, DC
• Gigi Hyland, Principal, CU, LLC, Washington, DC
• Debra Huddleston, Managing Director, Brean Capital, New York, NY
• Maria Smedley, Vice President – Human Resources, Performance Foodservice, Little Rock, AR
• Elizabeth Vealey, President, Sophius, LLC, Lancaster, NY
• Murray Williams, President & CEO, Iowa Credit Union League; CEO, Affiliates Management Company, West Des Moines, IA
• Curtis Wynn, CEO, SECO Energy, Sumterville, FL