Our Leadership

Matt is a seasoned leader and financial expert whose leadership journey at Ascend began in 2005 when he was hired as an internal auditor. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Vice President of Operations in 2009, Chief Operations Officer in 2014, and Executive Vice President in 2017 before being selected as CEO in 2023. Throughout his tenure, Matt has been a driving force behind many successful credit union-wide projects, including the expansion of Ascend’s ATM network and the implementation of over 100 Interactive Teller Machines, which made Ascend the first financial institution in Middle Tennessee to offer this technology. He also played a key role in the opening of Ascend’s teller center and the launch of the credit union's upgraded digital banking platform. Matt completed the CEO Connect Executive Learning program at Lipscomb University as part of the inaugural class in 2018. Matt is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and holds an accounting degree from Middle Tennessee State University.

Leslie is the guardian of the Ascend brand. She oversees the credit union’s strategic direction and growth strategy. She works with the CEO, Board of Directors and her peers to establish and implement the credit union’s strategic plan. As a member of the senior leadership team, Leslie shares the responsibility of innovator and change agent in influencing the culture to meet the credit union’s strategic goals. Leslie also leads the Marketing and Business Development functions for the credit union, leveraging insights and best practices to identify data driven marketing strategies and business development opportunities to support the credit union and the member. Leslie holds a bachelor’s of science degree in Agriculture Business with a minor in Marketing from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).

As CFO, David is responsible for managing the financial health of the credit union. Previously, David served Ascend as vice president of internal audit. The skills and knowledge he acquired from this position play a key role in his current position as CFO. A licensed certified public accountant, David has more than 12 years of accounting experience. He is also a member of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. David holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, as well as master’s degrees in finance and accounting from Middle Tennessee State University.

Peggy works with human resources, recruitment and training functions to administer programs that create employee engagement and loyalty. The Credit Union Journal and Best Companies Group selected Ascend as a “Best Credit Union to Work For” in 2016, 2017, and 2018, and Ascend was named one of Training Magazine’s “Top 125” in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Peggy attended Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).

Josiah is responsible for Ascend’s retail and business deposit and credit card portfolios, along with retail investments, card operations, payments and digital banking. Previously, he served as Vice President of Data Analytics and Application Development. Josiah holds a Master of Science degree in Finance from the University of Texas at San Antonio, a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from Bellevue University as well as a Certificate in Technology Commercialization from The University of Texas Austin McCombs School of Business and a Certificate in Product Management (CPM) from the Association of International Product Marketing and Management (AIPMM). Additionally, he holds several patents in Banking, Technology, and Oil & Gas.

Jason is responsible for the leadership and management of the administrative functions of Ascend in accordance with industry standards, regulatory agencies, strategic and tactical objectives, and institutional policies. He oversees and supports a terrific team leading the areas of branch operations, contact center, centralized teller operations, facilities management, and data analysis. By providing his team the tools and support they need, he ensures that members are served efficiently and effectively across Ascend’s market. Jason began his career in the credit union industry more than 17 years ago. Most recently, he was the Vice President of Enterprise Risk Management for Ascend where he developed and launched the Enterprise Risk Management framework and architecture Ascend uses today to identify, assess, mitigate, manage and report institutional risks. Jason holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Rik is responsible for leading information security and system development, technology strategy and support objectives at the credit union. In his role, Rik strives to enhance technology to improve operations that better serve members. As a veteran technology executive with more than 25 years of experience, Rik has led several multi-million-dollar, digital transformation initiatives. Rik earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from Stockton University. Outside of work, Reitmaier has been a longtime member of the board of directors for Junior Achievement of Nashville, having joined the board in 2011. He has also served as a member of the CIO Council for the National Retail Federation.

In his current role, Trevor is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the lending services and has oversight of the loan portfolio performance including commercial loans, real estate loans, and consumer loans. During his time in lending, he has overseen important changes to both the mortgage and consumer loan origination systems and the loan portfolio has increased over $1 billion. He is committed to providing products to meet member needs and enhance member value. He began his career at Ascend in 2010 as Vice President of Internal Audit before moving to lending oversight in 2014 where he remains today. Trevor started his credit union career in West Virginia in 1992. It was at this credit union he learned the member first philosophy which still guides him in his role today. In 2000 he moved to Tennessee to work for the federal government as an examiner for the National Credit Union Administration and then moved to state government as the Assistant Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions Credit Union Division that regulated Tennessee state chartered credit unions. Trevor is a Marshall University alum graduating in 1990 with a bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting.