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.
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 Research a Credit Union tool and search by our name or charter number: 23865.
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.
- Liz Crockett, Chair
- John Faley
- Sarah Terrel
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
Frank Cetera — President
Frank is a NYS Senior Business Advisor at the Onondaga Small Business Development Center specializing in cooperative enterprises 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.
Moise Laub — Vice President
Moise was born in Haiti and moved to the US at age 12. He served in the US Navy before attending Onondaga Community College and graduating from Syracuse Univ. with a degree in International Relations. Moise currently works as a Project Manager at Falk College (SU) and is pursuing a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from the Maxwell School. He joined our Board in 2021, currently serving as Vice President. Moise is a father and enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and volunteering.
Barbara Racculia — Financial Officer
Barbara was born and raised in Syracuse, and loves living here. She currently works as a Staff Accountant for Bitzer Scroll, Inc., a German manufacturing subsidiary. She 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.
Alaa Alawaad — Co-Secretary
Alaa is an immigrant who arrived in Syracuse in 2010. He earned an Associates Degree from Onondaga Community College followed by a Bachelor’s Degree from Syracuse University in Information Management & Technology. He currently works as a full-time IT specialist for Syracuse University, managing computer labs. He also owns a small business, and is the father of 5 children. Alaa joined Coop Fed’s Board of Directors in 2021 and currently serves as Secretary.
Joss Willsbrough — Co-Secretary
Joss serves as an Outreach and Education Specialist for Planned Parenthood and is currently facilitating a young adult summer program in partnership with the Urban Jobs Task Force (UJTF), focused on racial and economic justice in connection with the I-81 rebuild. Joss co-created a queer living collective in the Westcott neighborhood and is interested in engaging with efforts to increase the power of the community through resource sharing, grassroots activism, and making the principles and conditions of collective living more accessible.
Jessica Azulay
Jessica is Executive Director of Alliance for a Green Economy, and co-founder and steering Committee Co-chair of the New York Energy Democracy Alliance. Jessica was born and raised in rural West Virginia and moved to her current home in Syracuse, NY in 2002. She has 20 years of multi-issue grassroots organizing experience and formerly worked as a nonprofit publisher, editor and journalist. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Sarah Lawrence College where she focused on political economy and international economics.
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.
Jessica Maxwell
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.
Pie Manirarora
Pie is a Refugee Reception and Placement Manager 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.
Duane Owens
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.
Andrea Wandersee
Andrea is the Chief Operating Officer of ACR Health, a nonprofit dedicated to positive health outcomes for people of all ages and backgrounds. Formerly Executive Director of NEHDA, the Northeast Hawley Development Association, she is actively involved with the Northside Business Partnership, Exceptional Family Resources, and the CA$H Coalition of CNY. With over 30 years of experience in non-profit leadership, she has an MPA from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University and a BA in History from Hartwick College. Andrea has lived in Eastwood with her son since 2007.
Randy White
Randy is the Managing partner of Amenity Properties LLC, a Licensed Real Estate Brokerage Company. He previously worked as the Manager of Syracuse SNUG, a program which focuses on high-risk young people between the ages of 14-24 involved in gun violence. He serves on the Board of Directors of Blueprint15 and the Southside Community Coalition, and is the managing partner of Amenity Properties LLC. Randy has been a member of Cooperative Federal since 2018 and has served on the Credit Committee since 2019.