Our Leadership
Ascend is guided by a dedicated group of leaders who ensure that we continue to grow and to fulfill our mission to help our members become better financial stewards.
Matt Jernigan
President and CEO
Leslie Copeland
Chief Strategy Officer
David Feldhaus
Chief Financial Officer
Josiah Leverich
Chief Payments Officer
Jason Powers
Chief Administration Officer
Rik Reitmaier
Chief Information Officer
Peggy Stubblefield
Chief Human Resources Officer
Josh Sudbury
Chief Legal Officer
Trevor Williams
Chief Lending Officer
Mark Rigney
ChairmanBoard Member Since June 2014 - Volunteer since September 2013MAG AerospaceVP Operations
Janet Marshall
Vice ChairmanBoard Member Since March 2021 - Volunteer since April 2020CUNA Mutual GroupRetired
Andy Flatt
TreasurerBoard Member Since April 2016 - Volunteer Since Feb. 2015National HealthCare CorpSVP/Chief Information Officer
David Elrod
SecretaryBoard Member Since April 2020 - Volunteer since October 2019Lipscomb UniversityRaymond B. Jones College of EngineeringDean
Pat Eagan
Board Member Since April 2013 - Volunteer since October 2003Aerospace Testing Alliance, Arnold AFB, TNRetired - Director of Mission Services
Ray Guzman
Board Member Since January 2021 - Volunteer since February 2020SwitchPoint VenturesCEO
Valerie Molette
Board Member Since October 2019 - Volunteer since July 2016Deloitte Services LPManaging Director, Finance
Tonya Quarles
Board Member Since May 2023 - Volunteer since 2022VP/Gulf Coast Valley Central Sales, Dell Inc.
Anthony Taylor
Board Member Since November 2012 - Volunteer Since February 2003National Aerospace SolutionsManager, Human Resources (Retired)
Joshua Johns
Committee Member Since October 2019Chief, Financial Plans and Programs, Arnold Engineering Development Center
Jenni Barnett
Committee Member Since April 2024Onward Real Estate, CEO
Greg Born
Committee Member Since February 2025Anthony Taylor
Committee Member Since April 2020National Aerospace SolutionsManager, Human Resources (Retired)