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Volunteers keeping the best interest of our members in mind.
Our Board of Directors is made up of volunteers, elected by the General Electric Credit Union membership. Their experience and passion help steer the future of the Credit Union and ensure every member is heard.
Our Board of Directors assist with making policies, approving budgets, and helping to direct strategic planning. They work hard to keep our members’ and the community’s best interests at heart.
Chairperson
Mary Cay Vessells worked at GE Aviation for 19 years and Ford Motor Company for 11 years in various financial leadership positions. She is currently enjoying retirement while volunteering her time preparing income taxes for seniors, the unemployed, and low-income families. She holds a B.S. in Accounting, an MBA, and is a certified public accountant (CPA). Ms. Vessells has extensive credit union and volunteer leadership experience. While living in Michigan, she served on the Christ the Good Shepherd Credit Union Board of Directors and Supervisory Committee. She served many years as the Treasurer for the GE Elfun/Volunteers Cincinnati Chapter as well as on the board for the Cincinnati Computer Cooperative, a non-profit organization.
Mary Cay Vessells has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1997. She has also served on the Supervisory Committee, Annual Meeting Committee, Nominating Committee, and the Board of Trustees.
1st Vice Chair
Michael Johnson retired from General Electric Aviation in 2020 where he was a Chief Consulting Engineer in Test Systems area supporting development engine and component testing for both commercial and military applications. Prior to joining General Electric Aviation, Michael worked for Cincinnati Milacron in the Aerospace Division.
Michael earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) from The Ohio State University and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Xavier University; he is also a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Ohio. He has a sound understanding of finance and economics and is active in security investments and financial planning. Michael also spends his time volunteering at St. Columban Church as a collection’s counter.
Michael Johnson has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1998. He currently serves on the Executive Committee and has also served on the Supervisory and Nominating Committees.
2nd Vice Chair
Cheryl Hill worked at GE Aviation for 38 years and is currently enjoying retirement. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati. At GE Aviation, her experience provided her with many leadership and facilitation skills that she used throughout her career in Sourcing and Compliance, as well as many community service projects. Cheryl held various leadership positions on community service projects including: Secretary of Cincinnati Chapter of GE Volunteers, Project Leader for College Bound Mentoring at Aiken High School, Project Leader for Freestore Foodbank, Chairperson for GE Days at Kings Island, Sourcing and Supply Chain Engagement Leader, and Chair for GE Day at the Cincinnati Zoo. Her support of these GE Aviation activities and community service project led her to receive the Gerald L. Phillippe Award and the first annual Jack Welch Award in 2000. Cheryl currently serves as President of the GE Retiree Association and Chair of the GE Quarter Century.
Cheryl Hill has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2003. She currently serves as Chair on the Scholarship Committee and has also served on the Supervisory and Nominating Committees.
Secretary/Treasurer
Richard (Dick) Ille retired from General Electric after 40 years where he was the Human Resources and Labor Relations Manager. Mr. Ille holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University. He has many years of experience working in Human Resources and Professional Relations for numerous engineering, quality, and value stream organizations. Mr. Ille served as Manager of Labor Relations for six Evendale labor unions. He taught Economics at the University of Cincinnati, as well as numerous classes at GE. Mr. Ille has served on the Board of Directors at GE Park and is the past President of the GE Management Association. Additionally, he has volunteered numerous hours for the GE Community Service Fund and has been the Chairman of the Annual GE/Cincinnati Reds Days. In 2021, GE Aviation presented Mr. Ille with the Outstanding Retiree award for volunteerism.
Dick Ille has had the pleasure of being a member of the GECU Board of Directors since 2010 in addition to being the Secretary/Treasurer since 2016. He currently serves on the Scholarship Committee and has served on the Annual Meeting and Nominating Committees.
President & CEO
Timothy (Tim) Ballinger has worked at General Electric Credit Union (GECU) since 1994; he was promoted to President in June 1998 and to President & Chief Executive Officer in April 2015. Prior to Mr. Ballinger’s tenure with GECU, he was a Senior Vice President at the Fifth Third Bank in Cincinnati. While there, he served on the Board of Directors of the Fifth Third Bank of Columbus. He was Senior VP of PNC Bank (formerly Central Trust Company) prior to joining Fifth Third. Mr. Ballinger has been involved with financial institutions during many years of his career. Educationally, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Cincinnati, an MBA from Xavier University, and a Graduate Degree in Banking from Stonier at the University of Delaware. Additionally, he was recognized in Cincinnati Magazine’s, Cincinnati 300 The Most Powerful Business Leaders. Mr. Ballinger has spent countless hours serving in numerous civic organizations including: Board of Directors at Roger Bacon High School; Chairman of Roger Bacon Endowment Fund; Board of Directors at Junior Achievement; and Board of Trustees at St. Vivian Parish.
Tim Ballinger has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2016. He has also served on the Nominating Committee.
Jerry Cabe is a retired engineer of nearly 30 years in the aerospace industry. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from West Virginia University. Jerry has over 18 years of experience in project and program management of advanced technology programs at General Electric Aircraft Engines, along with five years at Pratt & Whitney Engines and ten years at Belcan Corporation.
He has served on the Board of Directors of The Crossings of Springdale Condo Owners Association for 15 years. For recreation, he volunteers as a Race Official at automotive races at both the amateur and professional levels.
Jerry Cabe has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2016. He has also served on the Supervisory and Nominating Committees. Currently he is serving on the Scholarship Committee and volunteers his time to select recipients for the annual Robert A. Cunningham Memorial Scholarship program.
Perry Engstrom retired from General Electric after 42 years in Human Resources. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Tech and a Masters degree in Industrial Management from the University of Wisconsin – Stout. While at General Electric, he held leadership positions within Human Resources including the Manager of Hourly Compensation and Employee Benefits and of Hourly Placement. He spends his time volunteering and has served as the General Electric Business and Industry Advisory Council member to the Ohio Business Teachers Association and was also the Financial Secretary at Lord of Life Lutheran Church. He is currently is a volunteer for “God’s Work Our Hands” within Christ the King Lutheran Church in West Chester, performing several community outreach projects.
Perry Engstrom has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2018. He served on the Nominating Committee and was Chairman of the Nominating Committee in 2019. Perry is currently serving on the Supervisory Committee.
Gayle Nyswonger is a Nurse Practitioner at TriHealth and holds a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Cincinnati. She enjoys hiking, gardening, and volunteering her time in the community. Ms. Nyswonger is knowledgeable in the real estate investment and property management fields, as well as the healthcare industry.
Gayle Nyswonger has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2017. She currently serves on the Scholarship Committee and has served on the Nominating Committee. Ms. Nyswonger previously volunteered her time on the Supervisory Committee from 2010 - 2017.
Robert Peak accepted a position with General Electric Aircraft Engine’s Sourcing Department in 1984 and is currently retired. During his tenure there he was a contract administrator, buyer, and senior contract administrator. He also served on several committees and was the event chairman for the Evendale General Electric Management Association. His roles were to organize business meetings and negotiate contracts for the association. From 1994 until his retirement in 2015, Mr. Peak worked as a contracted buyer and global equipment manager with Procter and Gamble. While working with these companies, he negotiated multi-million-dollar contracts, maintained scheduled deadlines, and assumed key leadership responsibilities. Since his retirement, he continues to pursue his interest in negotiations, investments and personal finance. Robert graduated from the University of Louisville in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science in Commerce Degree. He moved to Cincinnati to start his business career with Curtis 1000.
Robert Peak has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2014. He served as chairman of the Supervisory Committee for 13 years and as a member from 1998-2001. Robert has also served on the Nominating Committee and was the chairman of the Committee in 2018.
Important responsibilities fall under the Supervisory of Committee’s umbrella. They are responsible for protecting the welfare of the Credit Union’s members, officials, and employees by ensuring the safety of funds and members’ balances, and the accuracy of accounts and records.
Chairman
Frank Dossman retired from IBM in 2018. He has a Masters in Business Administration in Finance from Xavier University and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of Cincinnati. Throughout his career, he led numerous teams in the development of strategic direction for financial institutions. As a consultant for Deloitte, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, LLP, and IBM for over 36 years, Frank worked with CEOs, CIOs, CFOs, and senior executive staff for some of the largest companies in the United States and Canada. The teams he led helped clients define a corporate strategy unique to the individual institution. In his spare time, Mr. Dossman enjoys volunteering in the community. Some of his past volunteer experiences include serving as a Boy Scout Troop Leader and as a baseball and soccer coach for over 10 years. He currently volunteers for St. Ignatius' homeless meal programs as well as other programs and services St. Ignatius provides to the community.
Frank Dossman has been a member of the Supervisory Committee since 2019.
Mark Schlueter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy and Finance from Miami University. Mark was Vice President of Sales at Alinean, Inc. a business consulting and software development company prior to retiring. He was responsible for leading teams in proposing solutions to client challenges, negotiating contracts, and ensuring project success. His clients included Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, Dell EMC, and Microsoft. Mark previously was a Sales Manager at Hewlett-Packard where he served Procter & Gamble and other companies in the Midwest. While at Hewlett-Packard, he helped launch a new business unit, Hewlett-Packard Software. He earned his Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Certification, a regonition of his advanced understanding of best practices in applying information technology services to align with the needs of business. Mark started his career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) serving clients in various industries, including credit unions and savings and loans. Mark was a board member of Junior Achievement (JA) of Greater Cincinnati and served as a JA classroom instructor. Mark achieved Rules of Golf Advanced Certification by the United States Golf Association (USGA) and serves as a volunteer Rules Official.
Mark Schlueter joined the Supervisory Committee in 2022.
General Electric Credit Union is a full-service financial institution headquartered in Cincinnati with branches in Ohio and Kentucky.
The Supervisory Committee assures that the credit union records are prepared accurately and that effective policies and procedures are maintained and followed. If you have questions or concerns regarding Accounting, Internal Controls, or Auditing matters, please contact the Supervisory Committee in writing to:
The Supervisory Committee
Post Office Box 62119
Cincinnati, OH 45252-9914
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Committed to our communities
GECU supports local through our GECU Cares program, sponsorships, and our annual scholarship.