Board of Directors

The key to a credit union’s success is the people who work diligently for the sole purpose of helping other people in need. On March 7, 1937, seven employees at the Detroit, MI Parke-Davis facility, formed PARDA Federal Credit Union. Now, 70 years later, PARDA Federal Credit Union stands stronger than ever because of the dedicated individuals who serve as our Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee, and Associate Directors. This stellar team provides the guidance and support that allows us to offer the competitive and innovative products and services that we pride ourselves in offering. Thanks to their commitment and foresight, PARDA has been offering its members quality financial products and services since 1937.

We are both proud and honored to announce to the membership of PARDA Federal Credit Union the 2011 Board of Directors, Supervisory Committee and Associate Directors.

Sherry L. Gass
Ms. Gass is the current Chairperson of the Board and has been a PARDA Board Member since 1998. Her responsibilities have included serving as Secretary of the Board from 2002 – 2004 and as Chairperson of the Supervisory Committee; she was also a Director of the PARDA Financial Partners, LLC. Ms. Gass’ expertise is in the financial arena after many years of service with Parke-Davis, Warner-Lambert, and Pfizer.

Joseph P. Volstromer
Mr. Volstromer is the current Vice Chair of the Board and has been a Board Member since January 2005. In 2006 he served as Secretary of the Board and from 2008 to 2010 was Advisor to the Supervisory Committee. Mr. Volstromer has been employed by Pfizer for over 25 years beginning in Ann Arbor, Michigan and currently works at the Chesterfield, Missouri site where he holds the position of Director of Research and Development Processes and Equipment.

Manuel Hernandez (Manny)
Mr. Hernandez is the current Treasurer of the Board and has been a Board Member since August 26, 1992. In the past he has held the positions of Chairman in 2006, Vice Chairman from 2000 – 2002, Chairman of the Supervisory Committee from 1993 – 1998 and Chairman of the Technology Committee. Mr. Hernandez retired from Pfizer in Morris Plains, New Jersey in September of 2000 after 24 years of dedicated service. During his career with Pfizer his responsibilities included Manager of Control and Analysis, Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis, and Auditing Director.

Leon J. Troeger
Mr. Troeger is the current Secretary of the Board and has been a PARDA Board Member since 2006. He is retired from the United States military and the U.S.P.S. in Holland, Michigan. In addition Mr. Troeger previously was a Board Member of Holland Central Credit Union prior to their merger with PARDA and had been a member of Holland Central for over 20 years.

Gary J. White
Mr. White has been a valued Board Member since 1997. He had previously served as Vice Chairman in 2006 and 2009, Secretary 1998 – 1999 and 2004, and served as Treasurer of the Board in 2005. Mr. White began working at Warner-Lambert in 1963 and retired in 1998 as the Director of Human Resources at the Holland and Rochester, Michigan facilities.

David J. Sweet
Mr. Sweet has been a valued board member since 1998. He recently served as the Chairman of the Board from 2008 – 2011 and 2002 – 2004, Vice Chairman in 2005, Secretary of the Board from 1999 – 2002, as an Advisory Board member, and as a member of the Supervisory Committee. Mr. Sweet retired in January, 2002 from Pfizer in Ann Arbor, Michigan after over 35 years of dedicated service. Before retirement Mr. Sweet was Manager of the Biological Samples of PDM and also worked in the Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology areas.


Mark C. Eichkorn
Mr. Eichkorn has been a valued Board Member since 2001. In May 2002 Mr. Eichkorn was elected Vice Chairman serving until May of 2004. He is the Executive Director of Global Operations R&D East Area out of Groton, Connecticut. Mark was also the Director of Facilities Management Engineering and Planning at Pfizer’s Ann Arbor, Michigan site. He has been with Pfizer (Parke-Davis) since 1986 and is a registered Architect. He brings knowledge in both management and construction to the Board.

Donald M. Callihan
Mr. Callihan has been a valued Board Member since 2008. He is currently a Warner-Lambert Legacy retiree. Prior to his retirement, he was Director of Engineering at the Parke-Davis facility in Rochester, Michigan until the plant was sold to King Pharmaceuticals in 1998. At that time, he assumed the position of Vice President of Engineering at the Rochester facility until his retirement in December of 2000. Mr. Callihan is a member of ISPE (the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers) and has served on its Board of Directors. He is Chairperson of the Board of Trustees at his church, a member of the Finance Committee; is a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Michigan; has been a member of PARDA for 32 years; and served on PARDA’s Advisory Committee during his last three years at the Rochester facility.

Tina Seals Escalona
Mrs. Escalona has been a valued Board Member since 2009. She is the president of CCI, Inc. in Greenwood, South Carolina, a consulting firm serving global pharmaceutical and natural health care markets. Before establishing the firm in 2003, Mrs. Escalona worked for both Warner-Lambert and Pfizer pharmaceuticals.

PARDA’s First Director Emeritus

Allen J. Gavern
On September 30, 2005, PARDA’s most dedicated Board Member of 45 years became the first Director Emeritus of PARDA Federal Credit Union. This special designation will allow Mr. Gavern to participate in various board matters and functions. Throughout his tenure on the board, he has held past positions as the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary and a member of the Credit Committee, Policy Committee, Facilities Committee, and Supervisory Committee. Mr. Gavern’s position before retirement from Warner-Lambert was Manager of Distribution of TECH Services.