2026 Board of Directors Election

BIOGRAPHY:

Michael Brigagliano has proudly served Frontwave Credit Union since 2014, guided by the values shared across our Marine, military, and civilian communities: honor, accountability, and service before self. After starting as an Associate Director, Michael became a full Board Member in 2015 and later served as Vice Chairman from 2018 to 2020 and Chairman from 2020 to 2022. With over a decade of volunteer leadership, he remains committed to strong governance, financial strength, and protecting the best interests of all Frontwave Members.

With nearly 30 years of experience in consumer finance, mortgage banking, and loan servicing, Michael brings extensive expertise in helping families build long-term financial stability. As Senior Vice President of Consumer Direct Lending at Churchill Mortgage, he leads national lending and servicing initiatives focused on transparency, fairness, responsible lending, and lasting financial well-being. He has overseen multi-billion-dollar loan portfolios and large operational teams, always with a focus on earning trust and serving others.

As President and Founder of My Wise Agent Inc., Michael built a real-estate brokerage centered on honesty, affordability, and community support. He maintains mortgage licenses in 29 states and holds a California Real Estate license, keeping him closely connected to the needs of today’s military families, civilians, and first-time homebuyers.

Michael studied Business and Criminal Justice and completed advanced development, including Six Sigma training, GE Mortgage University, and the Dale Carnegie program “Skills for Team Success.”

A proud father of four and the son of a Vietnam Veteran, Michael understands the sacrifices military families make and the importance of financial institutions that stand with them. He continues to serve as a Director on the Frontwave Foundation Board and supports organizations including Doctors Without Borders, the Green Beret Foundation, Wounded Warriors, the USO, and the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

BIOGRAPHY:

Peter joined the board as an associate director in July 2025. He’s a seasoned marketing leader with more than 25 years of experience helping companies define their brands, connect with customers and grow. He has led marketing teams at Grande Communications, SureWest Communications, Sprint PCS and Motorola, working mostly with subscriber-based businesses in competitive markets.

Over his career, Peter has launched new products, built strong customer loyalty programs and developed brand campaigns that quickly gained traction. He has worked across telecommunications, technology, and retail, and has helped companies scale by building marketing systems from scratch, guiding rebrands, and supporting major acquisitions.

Peter is known for creative, practical strategies that deliver results without overspending. His skill set includes marketing strategy, digital and social media, product development, advertising, PR, communications, and customer relationship management.

He earned a B.S.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Missouri and completed MBA coursework at Colorado State University. He has served on several nonprofit and community boards, including Make-A-Wish and the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Outside of work, he loves adventure travel, speaks five languages and has visited 36 countries.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT:

I’d like to serve on the volunteer board to contribute my marketing and leadership experience in support of the credit union’s mission. I’ve spent more than 25 years helping organizations communicate value, build trust and strengthen loyalty. I’m a collaborative team player and I believe my marketing perspective can complement the board’s already strong financial expertise. In an advisory role, I would focus on thoughtful questions, data-informed insights, and creative problem-solving that help keep the needs of members at the center while supporting continued growth and the cooperative spirit that defines the credit union.

BIOGRAPHY:

Trevor Gates serves as the Chief Financial Officer at RWM Home Loans, where he oversees finance, accounting, human resources, and facilities across a multistate operation. In his role, he provides strategic leadership in financial planning, treasury management, and operational efficiency for an organization generating over $50 million in annual revenue. His leadership has been instrumental in driving sustainable growth, improving organizational performance, and fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.

A San Diego native, Trevor has a deep-rooted commitment to the prosperity of his local community. He believes that strong financial institutions play a vital role in supporting the growth and stability of the neighborhoods they serve. If elected, Trevor intends to focus on strengthening the financial well-being of the organization while promoting initiatives that benefit the communities around it - ensuring that both the Credit Union and its members continue to thrive together.

Trevor brings not only extensive financial expertise but also a genuine dedication to community impact, fiscal responsibility, and long-term organizational health.

BIOGRAPHY:

Karen Meeks brings over two decades of executive marketing, communications, and organizational leadership experience across both private and military sectors. She currently serves as the Regional Marketing Director for Navy Region Southwest, where she leads a team supporting over 300 community programs across 10 installations. Her work in digital transformation, data-driven engagement, and cross-functional leadership has enhanced the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of service members and their families within a large-scale enterprise.

Karen’s private-sector roots include leadership roles at Nestlé USA and Warner Home Entertainment, where she honed her ability to align business goals with customer engagement. Today, she continues to bridge strategy and execution through initiatives that drive measurable growth, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.

She currently serves on the Board of the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum and was selected for the San Diego Chamber of Commerce’s Impact LEAD Program (Class of 2025). She is also the founder of a consulting venture focused on digital strategy and leadership development. Karen holds a B.S. in Business Administration (Marketing) and a Certification in Strategic Business Leadership.

A longtime credit union member, Karen is passionate about financial education, accessibility, and helping members build wealth and legacy.

As a board candidate for Frontwave Credit Union, Karen is committed to serving with a member-first mindset rooted in transparency, innovation, and inclusive decision-making. She believes in responsible governance that balances forward-thinking growth with meaningful service to the community. Her focus is to help Frontwave continue to thrive through sustainable growth, strong governance, and impactful community engagement.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT:

I am a senior executive and experienced director with more than thirty years of experience leading organizations through growth, transformation, and long-term value creation. I received my undergraduate degree in physics and an MBA. I have served as President and Chief Executive Officer across multiple industries, including medical devices, clean technology, and advanced manufacturing, with responsibility for strategy, operations, financial performance, and organizational leadership. I have made southern California my home for two decades.

Throughout my career, I have built a reputation as a principled leader who drives results while maintaining a strong commitment to people and communities. I have successfully led organizations through turnarounds, significant revenue growth, and profitability improvement, while strengthening operational discipline, customer focus, and leadership development. My experience includes oversight of complex budgets, risk management, capital planning, and governance-level decision-making, as well as guiding companies through acquisitions and integrations.

I currently lead Audacious Business Coaching, where I advise executives and business owners on growth strategy, financial discipline, and execution. As a candidate for the Frontwave Board of Directors, I am motivated by a strong belief in the mission of credit unions and their role in strengthening members, families, and local businesses. I bring a practical understanding of how sound governance, fiscal responsibility, and strategic planning enable organizations to serve their communities sustainably over the long term. I am committed to supporting policies that balance prudent risk management with innovation, ensuring the credit union remains secure, member-focused, and responsive to evolving needs.

I would be honored to serve the Frontwave membership by contributing disciplined leadership, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to community stewardship as a member of the Board of Directors.

BIOGRAPHY:

Brian Sutton is an experienced leader with a strong commitment to Frontwave Credit Union’s mission and the financial well-being of our members.

Mr. Sutton currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and previously led the Board as Chairman from 2022 to 2025. He has also served on the Board’s Executive Committee since 2020.

His professional background includes driving strategy and delivering secure, mission-critical IT solutions for global organizations in the private sector, as well as the Military Health System and the Department of Veterans Affairs. His unique expertise encompasses strategic planning, asset protection, and operational stability, all essential to Frontwave’s continued success.

Mr. Sutton earned his Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Management Information Systems from Baylor University. He is also a Credit Union Certified Volunteer Expert and has earned recognition in Leadership, Regulatory Compliance, and Financial Literacy from several national credit union associations.

CANDIDATE STATEMENT:

As members of Frontwave Credit Union, we are united by the principle of people helping people. We invest in our members and our communities, and we consistently put people before profits. These shared values guide my service on our Board.

I will continue working to ensure we remain closely connected with you, listening to your needs, and delivering the financial solutions that matter most. I am committed to providing world-class service and ensuring secure, convenient access to Frontwave’s products and services, wherever you are in the world.

Serving the hardworking members of our Frontwave community is an honor. I will continue championing the values that make our credit union strong and member-focused. Thank you for your support and for the opportunity to continue serving on the Frontwave Credit Union Board of Directors.