Washington Federal, Inc. announced that effective January 1, 2018, Michelle Coons will lead its New Mexico territory as Senior Vice President and Regional President. Bill Synnamon, its current NM Regional President, is retiring effective December 31, 2017, after serving in this capacity over the last 6 years. Coons and Synnamon, whose career paths have crossed in the past at United New Mexico, will begin working together on the transition of duties as of December 1st. Coons will maintain offices in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Coons is a thirty-four-year veteran of NM banking, having held positions as a Regional President, a Community Bank President and a multi-state Commercial Banking Manager over the last 18 years. She is well known across the state for her community leadership having served as past board chairs for the UNM Foundation, Accion, the Association of Commerce and Industry and the UNM Alumni Association. Her current community involvement also includes the New Mexico Space Authority, New Mexico Amigos, New Mexico Women’s Forum and Economic Forum. Coons is a UNM graduate with a BBA from the Anderson Schools of Management, attended UNM’s New Mexico School of Banking and the National Commercial Lending Graduate School at the University of Oklahoma.

Washington Federal President & CEO, Brent Beardall, said, "We are pleased to have Michelle join our leadership team as Washington Federal is celebrating its 100th anniversary. Our New Mexico roots began in Roswell in 2007, grew again in 2011 with the Beal/Charter bank acquisition in Santa Fe and Albuquerque and then expanded statewide with the acquisition of 11 branches from Bank of America in 2014. Consequently, Michelle will oversee 25 branches, 4 commercial banking markets, $843 million in deposits, $597 million in loans and 49 licensed mortgage officers throughout her territory. I am confident she is the right leader to continue to grow our customer base, to further raise our visibility and to take us to the next level in New Mexico.”

Coons shared, "I am excited about this opportunity and believe that Washington Federal is well positioned in New Mexico to help business owners and homeowners achieve their goals.”