We announced the promotions of Candice Champe to Senior Vice President of Operational Innovation and Jean Golden-Rumer to Senior Vice President of Experience and Service Strategy, marking a new chapter of leadership for the credit union.

Champe joined PACU in 2008 and has held several key roles, including Director of eCommerce and IT and Vice President of Innovation. In these positions, she provided strategic leadership in technologies and operating systems, overseeing the credit union’s business intelligence and e-commerce functions. One of her most notable accomplishments was leading the successful conversion to PACU’s core processing system in 2024.

With her promotion to Senior Vice President of Operational Innovation, Champe will oversee:

• Operating system technologies, such as the core processing system, SQL reports, phone systems, ATMs and ITMs, digital banking and electronic payment systems.
• Streamlining multi-channel and multi-system infrastructures to ensure all services used by employees and members are efficient and accessible.
• Collaboration with internal stakeholders and third-party vendors, including communicating project timelines.
• Process and workflow improvements, system integrations and reporting that support strategic goals and regulatory compliance.

“I am honored to continue my journey with PACU in this new role,” Champe said. “Operational innovation is central to enhancing our member experience through our products and services.”

Golden-Rumer began her career at PACU in 2013 as a teller at the Mooresville branch. She advanced to a lead teller before transitioning into marketing as a Marketing Specialist. She later moved into organizational development, serving as Learning Manager and Organizational Development Manager, before being promoted to Assistant Vice President of Organizational Development.

As AVP of Organizational Development, Golden-Rumer oversaw human resources, employee experience, team-building initiatives and internal talent development. In her new role as Senior Vice President of Experience and Service Strategy, her responsibilities include:

• Oversight of branch and call center operations and service delivery.
• Development and execution of strategic human capital plans that include recruitment, training, development, engagement and retention strategies.
• Leading strategies focused on operational excellence and growth to increase member satisfaction and retention.

“My time at PACU has stoked a passion for creating memorable experiences and a culture of belonging. I am excited for the opportunity to expand that focus to include the member experience.  I look forward to working with the PACU team to strive toward achieving our goals,” Golden-Rumer said.

Both Champe and Golden-Rumer are graduates of the Carolinas Credit Union League’s Leadership Development Institute, a competitive, industry-recognized program designed to develop future credit union leaders across the Carolinas.

PACU President & CEO Dion Williams said the promotions reflect the credit union’s continued growth and leadership development.

“Both Candice and Jean have long been key contributors to PACU,” Williams said. “As we continue to grow and evolve, we are confident their leadership will play a significant role in our continued success.”