Michelle Coons will head up Washington Federal’s New Mexico territory as senior vice president and regional president, effective January 1, 2018. Bill Synnamon, current NM regional president, will retire at the end of the year after serving in this capacity over the last six years. The two will begin working together on the transition at the beginning of December. Coons will maintain offices in Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

A 34-year banking veteran, Coons held positions as a regional president, a community bank president and a multi-state commercial banking manager, including work at United New Mexico, where she and Synnamon previously crossed professional paths.

Washington Federal President and CEO, Brent Beardall, said, “We are pleased to have Coons join our leadership team as Washington Federal is celebrating its 100th anniversary. 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.”