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Reminder: Burt Street Office Closing Permanently beginning Monday, June 8.

Due to I-81 construction and roadwork, our last day at 516 Burt St will be Friday, June 5. We are sorry for the inconvenience! CoopFed is working together with Syracuse Housing Authority to identity a new location for our office. In the meantime, please visit our other locations.

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.

 

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
  • Tara Owens

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, Chair
Moise Laub, Chair
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 Chair
Duane Owens, Vice Chair
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 has served on CoopFed's Board of Directors since 2022, and on our Business Opportunity Loan Committee since 2018. He also currently serves on the boards of CNY Works and Inclusive Economy CNY, among others. Duane holds a Bachelor’s in Economics from Wake Forest University.
Barbara Racculia, Financial Officer
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 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 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.
Nyatwa Bullock
Nyatwa Bullock
Nyatwa Bullock is a community-driven executive, nonprofit founder, and former Commissioner of Education with over 12 years of leadership experience in governance, fiscal oversight, and public-interest service. She has a proven record overseeing multimillion-dollar budgets, shaping public policy, strengthening accountability systems, and advancing economic mobility through workforce development and small-business leadership. Nyatwa is an experienced business owner and community advocate committed to financial inclusion, ethical governance, and cooperative values.
Frank Cetera
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 Farrow
Ebony is the Director of Pathways to Apprenticeship, 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.
Brandon Johnson
Brandon Johnson
Brandon Johnson is a nursing home administrator, business owner, and local real estate developer with a demonstrated commitment to community impact. His experience brings strong financial oversight and investment strategies to his work. He has served as a board director and leader for several local nonprofits, contributing meaningful governance and strategic leadership experience. Brandon is dedicated to helping Cooperative Federal meet the evolving needs of its members by advancing its mission and long-term goals. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Le Moyne College and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management.
Michael J. Monds
Michael J. Monds
Michael J. Monds is a 26-year veteran of the Syracuse, New York Fire Department, where he has served as Fire Chief since 2017. A proud Syracuse native, Monds spearheaded the reorganization and modernization of the department while advancing recruitment, diversity, and professional development initiatives. During his tenure, the Syracuse Fire Department achieved an elite ISO Class-1 rating, reflecting the highest standard of fire protection, and Michael was named New York State Fire Chief of the Year in 2023. Michael served as a Trustee and Executive Board Member of the Syracuse Firefighters Association, Local 280 (2004–2017), and held several leadership roles, including the role of Vice President of Firefighters of Color United in Syracuse, where he championed equity, representation, and professional opportunities within the fire service. A strong believer in youth engagement and mentorship, Michael volunteers with Syracuse City School District students. In 2017, he launched the Junior Fire Cadet Mentoring Program at Dr. King Elementary School to teach students about fire and emergency services, community involvement, and public safety careers. Today, Michael continues his lifelong dedication to public safety through strong leadership, strategic recruiting, consulting, and executive mentorship. He advises civic leaders and public safety executives on best practices to optimize labor relations, enhance operational performance, strengthen organizational culture, and build resilient, community-focused fire and emergency services.
Amber Miller
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 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.
James Redfearn
James Redfearn
James Redfearn has worked with organizations including BlackRock Inc., National Car Rental, Enterprise Holdings, Sysco, Waste Management, and Bascol, serving in roles that required adherence to organizational policy, customer accountability, and operational procedures. His experience includes frontline customer service, site supervision, commercial driving, and driver training within compliance-oriented environments. James is the managing member of JUROD Holdings, LLC, a New York–organized limited liability company. He also holds a New York State health insurance license and a CDL Class A license, reflecting experience in licensed and regulated professions. James is based in the Syracuse area and brings a practical, operations-focused perspective to governance, with an emphasis on responsibility, transparency, and institutional integrity.