Board of Directors

Board of Directors pictured from left to right. Top row: Donald Pinson, Rudy Peña, Ignacio Orozco Jr., Matthew Ralph, Redell Ervin, Kyle Friesenhahn. Bottom row: Clare Coleman, Donald Jones Jr., Brian Gottardy, Ericka Olivarez, Lloyd Verstuyft, Ronald Kyle

Donald Pinson, Chairman
Current Term Expires April 2024

Prior to his retirement in 2004, Mr. Pinson spent the better part of four decades serving the San Antonio education community at both the San Antonio and Northside Independent School Districts as teacher, assistant principal, and vice principal, finally capping his career as principal of a large 5A high school. A graduate of local Jefferson High School, Mr. Pinson earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas, and his master’s degree in business administration and mid-management certification from the University of Texas in San Antonio. Mr. Pinson joined the Firstmark Credit Union Board of Directors as an advisory director in 2006, and was appointed a director of the Board in 2008 and Chairman of the Board in 2012. He additionally serves as chair of the Board of Administrators for the credit union’s CUSO, FMCU Financial Group, Inc.

Rudy Pena, Vice Chairman
Current Term Expires April 2024

A member of Firstmark Credit Union since 1972, Mr. Pena has served as director of the Board since 2002. Professionally, he served as Director of Secondary Human Resources for the Northside Independent School District for over 16 years, where he was responsible for overseeing the staffing of school personnel for middle and high schools throughout the district. A native Texan, Mr. Pena earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas Pan American and a master’s degree from Texas A&I University.

Ignacio Orozco, Jr., Secretary
Current Term Expires April 2025

A lifelong educator, Mr. Orozco began his professional career in 1961 at Irving Junior High School and Fox Tech High School. He is a graduate of St. Mary’s University and holds both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in English. In 1968, he became Professor of English at San Antonio College and continued in this position until his retirement in 2008. A member of Firstmark Credit Union for more than 45 years, Mr. Orozco has served on the Firstmark Credit Union Board of Directors since 1971.

Matthew Ralph, Treasurer
Current Term Expires April 2025

A member of the credit union’s Audit Committee since 2012, Mr. Ralph was appointed an Advisory Director on the Board of Directors in 2013. Mr. Ralph began his professional career as an officer in the United States Air Force, where he served for over 20 years. He is currently a Program Manager for the Air Force Audit Agency at Randolph Air Force Base and Chief of Operations of Pediatric Dental Wellness in Houston. A Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Ralph holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s degree in Administrative Management/Business Administration.

Redell Ervin, Director
Current Term Expires April 2023

A member of Firstmark Credit Union since 1971, Ms. Ervin’s distinguished career as an elementary school teacher and assistant principal with the South San Antonio Independent School District spanned thirty-six years until her retirement in 2004. Born and raised in Texas, Ms. Ervin earned a bachelor’s degree from Houston Tillotson University and a master’s degree from Prairie View University before relocating permanently to San Antonio. Ms. Ervin has served on the Board of Directors since 1975. She also currently serves on the credit union’s Asset Liability Management Committee.

Kyle Friesenhahn, Director
Current Term Expires April 2024

Ms. Friesenhahn combined her love for music with a professional career in education, dedicating over 34 years as a high school band director in the Seguin, Luling, LaVernia, and Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School Districts. Originally from Pflugerville, Texas, Ms. Friesenhahn earned both a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in music education from Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. She began in a volunteer capacity with the credit union by serving on the prestigious Nominating Committee in 2006, and was then asked to serve on the Board of Directors as an Advisory Director in 2007. She was subsequently elected by the membership as a full Director in 2009. She additionally serves as vice chair of the Board of Administrators for the credit union’s CUSO, FMCU Financial Group, Inc.

Clare Coleman, Director
Current Term Expires April 2023

Prior to her retirement in 1999 as a teacher for the San Antonio Independent School District, Ms. Coleman traveled throughout the world during 32 years of service as teacher and counselor for the Department of Defense, including assignments in Germany, Japan, the Philippines, and Panama. Ms. Coleman earned her bachelor’s degree from Trinity University and Master of Education from Our Lady of the Lake University. Ms. Coleman joined the Firstmark Credit Union Board of Directors as an advisory director in 2008, and was appointed a director of the Board in 2009, and currently serves as chairman of the Frank Price Cunningham and Helen Shipman Cunningham Memorial Scholarship Committee.

Donald Jones, Jr., Advisory Director

Dr. Brian Gottardy, Advisory Director

Ericka Olivarez, Advisory Director

Dr. Lloyd Verstuyft, Advisory Director

Ronald Kyle, Director Emeritus