Staff Reports | Business & Commerce
Desert Financial Credit Union has appointed Kevin Martin as executive vice president, adding a financial services leader with experience in strategic planning, organizational performance and member experience.
“I’m honored to join Desert Financial at such a pivotal moment for the credit union,” Kevin Martin, executive vice president of Desert Financial Credit Union, said. “What drew me here is the unmistakable focus on members and the communities we serve — that shared commitment to financial well-being is at the heart of everything this organization does. I look forward to partnering with this incredible team to deepen that impact, one member and one community at a time.”
Mr. Martin joins Desert Financial after serving in leadership roles at SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union. He joined the organization in 2013 as senior vice president of organizational performance and strategic planning, where his responsibilities included performance monitoring, risk assessment and organizational strategy. He later advanced to executive vice president, overseeing member experience initiatives and service delivery.
Before entering the credit union industry, Martin held consumer and commercial banking positions at Bank of America, including roles focused on rewards strategy, mortgage process improvement, product management and merchant services. He also has experience as a consultant and entrepreneur.
Mr. Martin has been active in the credit union industry through leadership and professional development organizations. He is a Credit Union Development Educator, a graduate of the Credit Union Executives Society CEO Institute and a Certified Diversity Professional. He serves on the board of the CURQL Collective and was the founding president of the African-American Credit Union Coalition’s West Coast Chapter, according to a press release.
His professional recognitions include being named one of the “100 Most Influential African American Leaders in Business” in 2022 and receiving the CUES Exceptional Leader Award.
Mr. Martin earned a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science, where he played football, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.
“Kevin brings a mindset that challenges us to think bigger about what’s possible for our members and our communities,” Jeff Meshey, president and CEO of Desert Financial Credit Union, said. “He understands that meaningful growth is about creating experiences that genuinely improve people’s lives. That combination of purpose and forward-thinking leadership is exactly what we need as we look to the future.”
