Freedom Federal Credit Union Grows Its Community-Focused Development Team

New Business Development and Community Relations Officers to expand outreach efforts

January 21, 2026 – Freedom Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce three new appointments to its growing Business Development and Community Relations Team. Brent Howard and Kevin Wiley join Freedom as Business Development Officers, bringing more than 50 years of combined experience to the Credit Union. In addition, Brian Peller continues his distinguished tenure with Freedom in his newly appointed role as Community Relations Officer, bringing more than 30 years of financial services experience to the position.

As a new Business Development Officer, Brent Howard brings more than 20 years of experience strengthening businesses and communities throughout the Baltimore region. His career spans multiple industries, from helping startups find their footing to expanding the impact of established organizations. Most recently, Howard served as President and CEO of the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce from 2018 to 2025. He is an alumnus of Morgan State University, with a background in political science and government. A resident of the greater Baltimore area, Howard is married and a proud girl dad to two daughters. Outside of work, he enjoys attending live concerts and sporting events, traveling, and spending quality time with his family. A Lego enthusiast, he especially enjoys sharing that creative outlet with his children.

“After spending over two decades building relationships and supporting businesses throughout the Baltimore region, I’m excited to bring that same passion to Freedom Federal Credit Union,” said Howard. “What attracted me to Freedom is its genuine commitment to being a member-owned, community-focused organization. I look forward to connecting with local businesses in my new role.”

Kevin Wiley joins Freedom as a Business Development Officer with more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Throughout his career, he has held a variety of roles in branch management, lending, business banking, merchant services, investment banking, business development, and financial education. A lifelong resident of Harford County, Wiley brings deep local knowledge of the communities and businesses within Freedom’s field of membership. He enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter (when she is home from college), and their two beloved pets. In his free time, Wiley enjoys watching movies and cooking shows, taking walks, traveling, and indulging his lifelong love of comic books.

“I am excited to work for a company where the culture revolves around making sure members, employees, and the community are the priority,” Wiley said. “I recognize the need for financial literacy in our area and look forward to sharing my knowledge with the community and business partners as part of the Freedom Team.”

With more than 30 years of experience, Brian Peller has held a variety of member-facing and community-driven roles in the financial services industry and continues that work as Freedom’s Community Relations Officer. Previously, Peller served as a Business Development Officer for Freedom. He grew up in Rosedale and has lived in Bel Air for 29 years. His wife, Gina, is a long-time teacher in Baltimore County, and their twin daughters work in the medical and higher education fields. A lifelong Orioles fan, Peller also enjoys traveling, especially to Disney World. In his new role, he will serve as a liaison between Freedom, local community organizations, and The Freedom to Help Foundation.

“I am so pleased to be serving our community in my new role as Community Relations Officer,” said Peller. “In my 30 years in the financial services industry, I have seen the importance of financial literacy and responsible, informed banking decisions. I am proud of Freedom’s commitment to financial education and look forward to helping connect community resources with everything Freedom has to offer.”

“The appointment of these three accomplished professionals underscores Freedom Federal Credit Union’s ongoing commitment to the communities we serve in Harford and Baltimore Counties, as well as our continued expansion into Carroll County and Baltimore City in the year ahead”, stated Carmen David Mirabile, Chief Growth Officer of Freedom. “Along with our entire Business Development and Community Relations Team, I look forward to them continuing to strengthen local partnerships, supporting businesses and individuals, and deepening our community engagement.”

About Freedom Federal Credit Union

Freedom Federal Credit Union is a community-chartered federal credit union offering business banking services and consumer financial services to those who live, work, volunteer, worship, attend school, or have family in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, and Harford County. Freedom was founded in 1953 and currently has eight locations throughout Harford and Baltimore Counties. To learn more, visit freedomfcu.org.

Bright Beginnings Grant Program – 2026

We are now accepting entries for this year’s BRIGHT BEGINNINGS GRANT PROGRAM!

AWARDING FOUR $500 GRANTS TO CALIDAY EDUCATORS, AND ONE $2000 GRANT PER CELEBREE DISTRICT

Applicants must be employed at a Celebree School or Caliday Before and After School Program location.

Freedom is proud to support early childhood educators through the Bright Beginnings Grant Program, awarding a total of $8,000 in grants to recognize innovative ideas that positively impact young learners. This includes three $2,000 grants for Celebree Schools (one award per district), and four $500 grants for Caliday Before and After School Program locations.

Applications will be evaluated based on creativity, impact, and sustainability, with preference given to ideas and initiatives that can be implemented and sustained over multiple years. Applicants are encouraged to include links to products and a brief breakdown of supplies and associated costs, if applicable.

All submissions will be reviewed by a panel of judges.

As an additional ‘thank-you’, any center with a winning application will also be treated to a staff appreciation event, hosted by Freedom, to celebrate the entire team’s dedication and hard work.

Scoring favors submissions with the greatest impact and creativity with a strong preference for ideas/initiatives that are sustainable over multiple years.

TO ENTER: Complete the entry form below and submit an essay that demonstrates the significance of your idea or initiative and how it will be beneficial.

The application deadline is March 31, 2026
Applicants must be employed by a Celebree School or Caliday Before and After School Program location
Selected grant recipients will be contacted by the end of April

LEARN ABOUT THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS OFFERED TO OUR EDUCATORS – EXPLORE THE GOLDEN APPLE PROGRAM!

Golden Apple Educator Awards – 2026

We are now accepting entries for this year’s Golden Apple Educator Award!

FEATURING TWO $2,000 AWARDS – FOUR $1,000 AWARDS – FOUR $500 AWARDS

Freedom Federal Credit Union is pleased to offer TEN Annual Educator Awards ranging from $500 up to $2,000. Eligible applicants are Education Employees who may be a deserving teacher, school administrator or school support employee from a Harford County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, or Carroll County school.

Entrants must be a current Freedom Member*

Scoring favors submissions with the greatest impact and creativity with a strong preference for ideas/initiatives that are sustainable over multiple years.

TO ENTER: Complete the entry form and submit an essay that demonstrates the significance of your idea or initiative and how it will be beneficial. Your essay may address any or all of the following questions:

What is your creative idea or initiative to benefit your students, your class, or your school? If you win this award, how will you make it happen using the funds from this award?
How will your idea or initiative support or improve the learning experience of your students or benefit your classroom or school overall?
Will your idea or initiative benefit the overall community? If yes, how so?

Please submit your Golden Apple – 2026 Educator Award Entry Form and essay to enter@freedomfcu.org by May 31, 2026.

All entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges made up of Freedom employees, volunteers and community partners.

Entry deadline is May 31, 2026
Submit by email to enter@freedomfcu.org
We will contact award recipients by June 22, 2026

LEARN ABOUT THE EXCLUSIVE BENEFITS OFFERED TO OUR EDUCATORS- EXPLORE THE REST OF THE GOLDEN APPLE PROGRAM!

*New members are also welcome to apply!

Read About Past Golden Apple Awardees**

2025 Recipients
2024 Recipients
2023 Recipients
2022 Recipients
2021 Recipients
2020 Recipients
2019 Recipients

**Previous awardees must skip a year between submissions.

Freedom Federal Credit Union Donates $10,000 to MD Food Bank to Aid SNAP Benefit Families

Freedom FCU’s donation comes just as SNAP benefits stop for millions of Americans

Freedom Donates 10K to MD Food Bank — The check presentation took place in the massive 93,000 sq ft warehouse of the Maryland Food Bank in Baltimore (L to R): Mike MacPherson, President and CEO of Freedom Federal Credit Union; Mary Wright, Director of Corporate Philanthropy at Maryland Food Bank; Lisa Snodgrass, Director of Business Development at Freedom FCU; and Carmen David Mirabile, Chief Growth Officer of Freedom FCU.

November 7, 2025 – In response to the suspension of SNAP benefits effective November 1, 2025, Freedom Federal Credit Union, through The Freedom to Help Foundation, is proud to announce a $10,000 donation to Maryland Food Bank to provide immediate relief to households that will be impacted. This contribution will help provide approximately 10,750 meals for nearly 700 households across Maryland.

“At this critical time, Freedom Federal Credit Union’s generous gift will help the Maryland Food Bank bridge the gap and provide nutritious meals to neighbors across the state,” remarked Elise Krikau, Chief Philanthropy Officer at the Maryland Food Bank. “We are profoundly grateful for your partnership and care for our community.”

“With so many community members facing uncertainty as SNAP benefits pause, we saw an opportunity to join forces and make meaningful impact,” said Mike MacPherson, President & CEO of Freedom Federal Credit Union. “At Freedom, our mission is rooted in uplifting our community. In this moment of uncertainty and need, that community needs our support—not just as a financial institution, but as a trusted partner and neighbor. We may not be able to eliminate the need, but we can do our part.”

Through this donation, Freedom is supporting the Maryland Food Bank’s efforts to extend access to nutritious food, reduce food insecurity, and strengthen community wellbeing during this critical moment. As families adjust to the discontinuation of SNAP benefits, there is sure to be an increased demand for food assistance. To donate to the Maryland Food Bank, please visit mdfoodbank.org.

About Freedom Federal Credit Union

About The Maryland Food Bank

The Maryland Food Bank works to provide food to vulnerable Marylanders and collaborates with hundreds of food pantries and outreach programs statewide to address hunger, build resilience and foster community.

Government Shutdown Assistance

Freedom Is Here to Help During the Government Shutdown.

We understand that this may be a difficult time if you are a Federal Employee or Federal Contractor impacted by the recent government shutdown.

If you need us, Freedom is here to help*:

Low, fixed-rate Anything Loan with expedited approval process
Low, fixed-rate Debt Consolidation Loans or Lines of Credit
Waived fees for Skip-A-Pay requests on qualified loans**
90 day deferral options on qualified loans**
Reduced rates on share secured loans
Expedited credit decisions on Freedom credit card line increases
Free, one-on-one personalized financial guidance, debt management services, and financial education tools through our partnership with KOFE.

Please visit us at one of our Branches or Contact Us to see how we can be of assistance to you. Freedom is here to help you through this difficult time.

Additionally, Freedom members impacted by federal job loss may be eligible for a no-interest loan through the Maryland Department of Labor’s Federal Worker Emergency Loan Program. This loan program offers a zero-interest $700 loan to eligible Maryland residents.

Learn more about the Federal Worker Loan Program.

*Certain restrictions apply. Subject to credit approval. Federal Government or Federal Contractor employment verification required.
** Interest will continue to accrue on a daily basis during the month(s) the payment is skipped.

You vs We

Many companies use “you” in their marketing or even in their names. It has been said that “you” is widely considered a powerful and persuasive word because it creates a strong connection and personalizes the message by focusing on the recipient’s needs and emotions. We’ve certainly used it to demonstrate our focus on, and commitment to, the members. I must admit, however, while a necessary part of our communications, I don’t believe it is more important than “we” especially when it comes to the Freedom philosophy.

At Freedom, “we” is more than just a word. It’s the foundation of everything we do. It means we’re in this together, not as customers and a company, but as members of a community, working side by side to build something better. “We” represents shared goals, mutual support, and a collective commitment to financial well-being. Every success story, every new home, every college fund, every small business loan is not just about one person. It’s about all of us. Because when we say “we,” we’re talking about you and us — together. We listen. We care. We grow — as one. That’s the credit union difference. That’s the power of we.

With that in mind, I want to say how excited I am that “we” are having our first all day, all employee, development day. I know we’ve had smaller meetings to share information, answer questions and just spend time together in a meaningful way, but this day is something I’ve thought about for some time. It’s always been a logistical nightmare to coordinate and a costly proposition to bear, but something I knew held great potential for organizational development and team building if we could just pull it off. You can imagine how happy I am that we found a way.

I know this is new and maybe a little daunting, so I want to stress not just the importance of the day, but how this is about our commitment to you. We intend this to be educational, fun and provide a meaningful experience with a lasting impact. As I’ve said to many of you over the years, you’ll get out of it, what you put into it, so come with an open mind, a positive attitude and we’ll do the rest. I look forward to spending the day with you and learning together.

Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda

I’m sure it’s happened to all of us. We look back and say, “if I only knew then what I know now”. We ponder over past decisions wishing we had gone left instead of right, chosen one path over the one we took, tried this or avoided that. All that second guessing. Truth is each choice we made led us to where we are. Good, bad or indifferent, here is where we are and worrying about what could have been, serves no useful purpose. We make decisions with the information at hand, by instinct, through experience, and maybe a touch of desire, but we make them, believing it’s right at the time. We do the best we can with what we’ve got and with good intentions.

It’s the same thing at Freedom. We have a great team continuously looking for ways to make things better for our members, our employees, and our community, We gather data, do research, discuss (sometimes ad nauseum) and then we make the choices we think are in the best interest of all concerned.

As we navigate the final stages of the merger over the next few months, rest assured there are a lot of people working diligently to maximize the benefit while minimizing the impact. As with any endeavor such as this, there will be challenges but they won’t be the result from a lack of effort on our part.

I think the quote by the poet Robert Burns sums it up. “The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft a-gle” (the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry) which means no matter how much one plans, external factors can disrupt and derail those plans. It serves as a reminder of life’s unpredictability and the need for flexibility. It’s not about perfection it’s about progress, and Freedom continues to progress in support of our mission and all those we serve.

Why We Do What We Do

I spend a lot of time talking about the emotional side of what we do, how helping people and supporting the community matters. I believe doing what is right is not only essential to our mission but good for our world. I can go on and on about this, but I thought it was time I talked about the “business” side of why we do what we do by focusing on the value consumers place on their financial institution’s commitment to and support of the community and how they view it as a strong indicator of the institution’s values and trustworthiness. So, here’s why Freedom’s community support is so meaningful:

Builds trust and loyalty: When Freedom actively supports local charities, sponsors community events, or invests in local businesses, it creates a sense of shared values with members and prospective members. This fosters an emotional connection that goes beyond just providing financial services, leading to greater trust and loyalty.
Enhances reputation and brand image: Consumers are increasingly conscious of social and environmental issues. When Freedom demonstrates a genuine commitment to social responsibility we are perceived more favorably, enhancing our brand image and reputation within the community.
Creates a sense of shared purpose: For many consumers, especially younger generations like Gen Z, the purpose of businesses extends beyond profit to include serving communities and society. Banking with an institution like Freedom that actively gives back allows people to feel that their financial choices are contributing to a positive social impact, aligning their personal values with their financial decisions.
Differentiates from larger institutions: Credit Unions, in particular, are recognized for their deep roots in local communities and commitment to social responsibility. In an era where larger banks may be perceived as impersonal, Freedom’s community focus can be a significant draw for those seeking personalized service and a sense of belonging.
Impacts satisfaction and engagement: Research indicates that positive corporate social responsibility beliefs significantly impact member satisfaction and commitment. According to The Financial Brand, 93% of consumers who said their financial institution was generous with charitable contributions were very satisfied or extremely satisfied with their primary provider.

Example of specific actions that resonate with members and prospective members:

Financial literacy programs: Offering workshops, seminars, or resources to help individuals and businesses better understand financial management fosters a sense of empowerment and positively impacts the perception of Freedom’s efforts.
Supporting local businesses and promoting homeownership: Providing loans and financial services tailored to the needs of the local economy strengthens the community and demonstrates Freedom’s commitment to local growth.
Volunteerism and participation in community events: Beyond financial donations, active engagement through employee volunteerism and hosting community events deepens the connection between Freedom and its members/prospective members.

Freedom’s involvement in the community is far more than just a public relations exercise. It directly influences consumer perceptions, fosters trust and loyalty, strengthens relationships, and plays a crucial role in member satisfaction and long-term success which, in turn, fuels our success and multiplies our ability to give back. Simply put, what we do, how we do it and why we do it matters.

News