Cooperative Federal Credit Union
Board of Directors
Cooperative Federal is a member-owned cooperative. Members have a voice and vote in governing the credit union by attending Annual Meetings, electing the Board of Directors and serving as Board members.
Our Board of Directors is composed of credit union members who live or work in the city of Syracuse, and who volunteer to serve their fellow members. The board sets direction and determines policy for the credit union; board members serve two-year terms.
Financial Statements - Charter 23865
Cooperative Federal’s quarterly financial reports are publicly available through the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), our federal regulatory and oversight agency. Go to the NCUA's Financial Performance Report (FPR) tool and search by our charter number: 23865. You can also view our Call Reports by visiting our NCUA Profile Page.
Cooperative Federal’s quarterly financial reports are publicly available through the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), our federal regulatory and oversight agency. Go to the NCUA's Financial Performance Report (FPR) tool and search by our charter number: 23865. You can also view our Call Reports by visiting our NCUA Profile Page.
All Cooperative Federal members have the right to attend board meetings. Our board generally meets each month on the fourth Wednesday, starting at 7:00 pm. Meetings are currently held by Zoom. If you wish to attend the Zoom meeting, please email us.
Please note, members are asked to leave the room when private information is discussed, such as member or personnel matters.
The Board of Directors appoints members of the Supervisory Committee, which is our audit and internal controls oversight committee. The Supervisory Committee conducts audits, provides oversight, and resolves disputes.
- Sarah Terrell, Chair
- Liz Crockett
- John Faley
- Pie Manirarora
Any Cooperative Federal member is eligible to be on the Board of Directors. Love the credit union? Have suggestions to make us stronger? Please consider joining the Board!
Board Members
Moise Laub, President
Moise Laub was born in Haiti and immigrated to the United States at the age of 12. He is a U.S. Navy veteran who went on to earn his associate degree from Onondaga Community College and a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Syracuse University. He later completed a Master of Public Administration (MPA) at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Moise currently works for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS), supporting conservation and program initiatives. He joined the Board in 2021 and now serves as President, where he champions equity, community development, and cooperative values. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, volunteering, and spending quality time with his family.
Duane Owens, Vice President
Duane is the NYS Regional Director of Historical Sites, Parks & Recreation. He formerly served as Onondaga County Commissioner of Personnel, Commissioner of Facilities Mgt. and MWBE Consultant, and has an extensive background in business and real estate development. Duane currently serves on the boards of CNY Works and Inclusive Economy CNY, among others, and is a member of Coop Fed’s Business Opportunity Loan Committee. He holds a Bachelor’s in Economics from Wake Forest University.
Barbara Racculia, Financial Officer
Barbara was born and raised in Syracuse, and loves living here. She currently works at Thompson and Johnson Equipment as their Financial Analyst. Barbara has worked in various types of companies, all in an accounting capacity, from insurance to retail and manufacturing. With 2 adult daughters and 2 granddaughters, she received her BBA in Finance/Accounting when her youngest went to kindergarten and her MBA in 2016. She joined Coop Fed’s Board in 2021 and serves as the Financial Officer.
Jessica Maxwell, Secretary
Jessica grew up on a small farm in Upstate NY. For the past 20 years, she has been an activist and community organizer in Syracuse, working on economic and social justice campaigns including immigrant rights, justice for incarcerated individuals and their families, community gardening and urban agriculture, and safe and clean energy. Jessica is currently a trainer with RiseUp for Social Action, serves on the boards of the Alliance for a Green Economy and the NY Immigration Coalition, and is the Executive Director of the Workers Center of CNY.
Alaa Alawaad
Alaa has been a member of Cooperative Federal's Board of Directors since October 2021. He is an IT professional with over eight years of experience in system analysis and process improvement. Alaa currently works as a Computer Consultant at Syracuse University, where he focuses on software deployment, server management, and project management. Alaa holds a BS in Information Management & Technology from Syracuse University. Fluent in Arabic and English, Alaa is dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency and supporting IT initiatives at the credit union.
Jery Augustin
Jery is a licensed Real Estate Salesperson for Acropolis
Realty Group and owns Augustin Real Estate Group LLC. He is committed to community and economic development and currently sits on the Greater Syracuse Association of Realtors’ Fair Housing Committee. Jery
formerly worked as a youth development specialist for the Boys & Girls Club of Syracuse and holds a BA in Community and Human Services from SUNY Empire State College.
Frank Cetera
Frank is the Business Transfers Program Director at The Democracy at Work Institute, where he a specializes in cooperative enterprise and employee ownership. Frank is a Westside Delegate to Citywide TNT (Tomorrow’s Neighborhoods Today), cofounded the Bitternut Collective Urban Homesteading co-op on the Near Westside, and has more than 10 years’ experience leading Coop Fed’s board. He has Masters degrees in Forestry and Sustainable Systems from SUNY ESF and Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.
Ebony Farrow
Ebony is the Program Manager for Pathways to Apprenticeship at Centerstate CEO, working with women and people of color in Syracuse to prepare for and gain access to registered Building Trade apprenticeship programs. She previously worked for COR Development, Syracuse EOC, and other community organizations in Syracuse. Ebony holds two degrees from Onondaga Community College in Interior Design and Architectural Technology. She lives in Syracuse with her family.
Tanika Jones
Tanika owns and runs a 24/7 childcare business, It Takes a Village Childcare Center, where she aims to create a “village” in Syracuse for families who need one. A Syracuse native and mom of two daughters, she is passionate about serving her community and wants to be a change agent in the world. Before launching her daycare center, she worked in many roles in the nonprofit space - supporting community members to become the best versions of themselves through advocacy, empowerment and inspiration.
Pie Manirarora
Pie is the Assistant Director of Resettlement Services at Interfaith Works of CNY. Born in Rwanda, Pie arrived in the US in 2018 and is now a resident of Syracuse. He previously worked as a Technical Vocational Education & Training Schools Administration Monitor in the eastern province of Rwanda and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering & Information Technology from the University of Rwanda College of Science and Technology. His mission is to help people set goals and turn their dreams into reality.
Amber Miller
Amber Miller is the Operations Manager at Centro, where she has worked since 2013. As a working single mother, she also has over a decade of experience coaching boys' youth basketball and is the founder of Future 3lite, a program that offers one-on-one training, group sessions, and a travel team. Leading is Amber's passion. Before beginning her career, she studied Business Administration at Alfred State College - SUNY College of Technology. Amber joined Cooperative Federal's Board of Directors in 2025 to give back to the community that raised her.
Aleris Pizarro-Lopez
Aleris was born in Puerto Rico and raised between both Puerto Rico and Syracuse. She is currently serves the Spanish-speaking community as caseworker with the Onondaga County Department of Children and Family Services. Aleris received her BA in Psychology and Sociology from Wells College in 2010. Aleris has dedicated her life to Social work and loves assisting those around her in whichever way possible. In her spare time, Aleris enjoys traveling and spending time with family and loved ones.