Election Information

This year, we invite all Hughes Federal Credit Union Primary Members to vote for their 2024 Board of Directors (BOD) online. Voters helped us fill three open seats from a list of six candidates, of which three are incumbents. We congratulate Juan Gonzalez, Mary Middleton, and David Ortega for their election to our volunteer board.

The BOD election was conducted online from May 1-31, 2024. Those who preferred a mail-in ballot, must have visited HughesFCU.org/Ballot before May 20, 2024.

Members who are not nominated for the Board of Directors had the opportunity to petition to be placed on the ballot by collecting signatures from 1% of voting members who are 16 years old or above, which is 1,790 members. Petitions were available at HughesFCU.org/Petition or any branch location. The deadline was April 30, 2024, at 5pm.

 

Annual Meeting

Election results will be announced at the 72nd Virtual Annual Meeting on June 20, 2024, at 4pm. During the Meeting, no votes will be cast, and no call for nominations from the floor will be made for Board seats.

Meeting Information

Board Nominees

John Candito

John Nicholas Candito is a seasoned Supply Chain, Program Management and Leadership professional with a comprehensive career spanning various sectors, including Government Procurement, Healthcare, and Defense Manufacturing. With advanced training and certification as a Lean/6-Sigma Specialist, Material Program Manager, and APICs Certified Supply Chain Professional, he has managed fiscal responsibilities of up to $260M annually and has expertise in World Class Supply Chain practices, Lean Manufacturing, Customer Service, and ITAR and FAR/DFAR regulations.

John holds a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management from the University of San Diego, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Finance from the University of Arizona. His professional experience includes his current role as Administrative Director of Supply Chain Management and Operations at Yuma Regional Medical Center, where he oversees a team of 65 professionals, manages a multi-million-dollar annual budget and collaborates with executive leaders to steer the organization. His previous positions at Banner Health, Sargent Aerospace and Defense, and Raytheon Missile Systems demonstrate a strong track record of success across multiple industries.  He is also a proactive community member through professional speaking engagements, coaching, and volunteer management roles.

Juan Gonzalez*


Mr. Gonzalez has been a member of Hughes Federal Credit Union for 37 years. Juan has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a Master in Business Administration. He served in the US Armed Forces as a USAF Fighter Pilot. 

Juan retired as a Senior Manager with more than 30 years of management experience in engineering design and development working for Hughes, Raytheon, Boeing, He joined the Credit Union shortly after starting his work at Hughes and subsequently volunteered as a member of the Supervisory Committee.  He served in the Supervisory Committee for 12 years, six of these as the Supervisory Committee Chairman. The Supervisory Committee work gave him an understanding of the Credit Union operations and exposed him to the issues and concerns of the membership. Subsequently, Juan was elected to the board of directors in which capacity he served for and additional 19 years, 7 of these as the Chairman of the Hughes Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. Juan understands and believes in the importance of the Credit Union Philosophy.

Juan welcomes the opportunity to continue to serve the Credit Union membership and board of directors.

Richard McKnight


Richard W. McKnight is a Senior Principal Energetics Engineer at Raytheon with over two decades of experience. He currently serves as the Technology Lead for Energetics & Propulsion, guiding sourcing decisions, evaluating the supply base and aligning suppliers with product line requirements. His expertise was instrumental in identifying and developing a solution to a systemic issue with rocket motor nozzles, leading to a successful full-scale static test firing.

Holding a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland, Richard has cultivated a comprehensive career marked by significant roles, including the Responsible Engineering Authority for SM-3 Solid Divert Attitude Control Systems and leading a multifaceted team as the TOW Energetics Lead. His leadership extends beyond engineering, as the owner and Vice-President of Canyon’s Crown Restaurant & Pub in Tucson, where he manages financial resources, strategic planning, and contributes to the community through charity outreach. His certifications include a current multiple patents, Six Sigma Specialist, and Cost Account Management (EVMS).

Mary (Cass) Middleton*

 

Ms. Middleton has been a member of Hughes Federal Credit Union for more than 37 years. She was employed by the Credit Union as Vice President of Operations for 14 years. Ms. Middleton was appointed to the Supervisory Committee in July 2007, and appointed to the board of directors in November 2014. 

Prior experience includes 15 years at a major bank rising to the level of Assistant Vice President, Manager of a large retail credit department. She has taught and attended numerous financial related classes at Pima Community College, served for three years as a board member for the Tucson Chapter of the American Red Cross and also served in the United States Air Force.

Ms. Middleton welcomes the opportunity to continue serving the members of Hughes Federal Credit Union and on the board of directors.

David Ortega*


David has been a member of Hughes Federal Credit Union (HFCU) since 1991. He began his service at HFCU by being appointed to the Hughes Supervisory Committee in 2002. He served in various roles within the Supervisory Committee and ultimately served as the Supervisory Committee Chair up until October 2014 when he was appointed to the board of directors. He became the Board Secretary upon the passing of Roberta Reeves. As the Board Secretary he has been vigilant to ensure that the board operates in accordance with its bylaws and for the benefit of its credit union members. 

David also currently serves on the Executive Committee, Annual meeting Committee, Budget Committee, and Facilities Planning Committee. Outside of HFCU he has served on the Pima Community College Finance and Audit Committee, which was created by the PCC Governing Board to provide additional oversight and monitoring responsibilities of the college’s financial, audit and investment related performances, policies, and procedures. 

David brings over 30 years of experience in finance, accounting, and business management. He retired from Raytheon Missile Systems in 2014 where he worked as a Financial Analyst for various missile programs.  He has also worked for the City of Tucson as a Finance Manager within the City of Tucson Budget Department. Mr. Ortega has a B.S. in Accounting and M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix

Mr. Ortega is a retired Master Sergeant of the United States Army Reserve where he served honorably for 25 years. He served two combat tours in Iraq under Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded two bronze star medals for his combat service actions and served one combat tour in Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom where he was awarded the NATO International Security Assistance Force medal.

David firmly believes in serving within his community and is dedicated to helping Hughes Federal Credit Union continue to grow and bring the best services and products to all its members. He welcomes the opportunity to continue to serve on the Board of Directors.

Charles Sasse


Dr. Charles E. Sasse's educational background includes a BS and MS in Animal Sciences and a PhD in Animal Nutrition from the University of Illinois. His career encompasses roles in academia as an Assistant Professor at Texas Tech University, corporate positions including Technical Services Scientist and Executive Director at Farmland Industries, and entrepreneurial experience as the owner and manager of Lloyd’s Dog & Horse. He has also held prominent positions within the American Society of Animal Sciences.

Since retiring to Tucson in 2007, Dr. Sasse has been an active member of Hughes Federal Credit Union, managing a club account for over 11 years. His financial acumen is built upon an academic foundation and enriched by extensive corporate budget and performance management. Dr. Sasse’s commitment to community service is evidenced by his volunteer work with the Salvation Army and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, alongside his service in the US Army from 1968-1970.

*Incumbent serving on the Board