Management Team
William J. Mellin is the president and chief executive officer of the New York Credit Union Association. He is responsible for overseeing the Association and its affiliated entities, including OwnersChoice Funding, UsNet and the New York Credit Union Foundation.
He previously served on the board of directors for the League InfoSight Corporation, the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and Credit Union Service Corporation. Prior to being appointed CEO, William was the senior vice president and chief operating officer of OwnersChoice Funding.
A native of New York, William grew up in the New York City metropolitan area. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts.
Edward W. Kovalefsky is the Chief Financial Officer of the New York Credit Union Association & Affiliates. He is responsible for overseeing the finances and internal administrative services of the Association and its affiliated entities, which include OwnersChoice Funding, UsNet and the New York Credit Union Foundation.
Ed joined the Association as CFO in 1993 and took on numerous additional responsibilities over the succeeding 24 years, retiring in 2017 as a Senior Vice President. After a six-month attempt at retirement, Ed was glad to return to the Association in his original role as CFO. Prior to joining the Association, Ed was a partner with a regional public accounting firm and the vice president/controller of a publicly traded insurance company. During his career, Ed has been actively involved in supporting various civic and not-for-profit organizations. He currently serves as a Trustee of La Salle Institute.
Ed graduated summa cum laude from the University at Albany with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.
Chris Pajak joined the New York Credit Union Association in 2007. Chris oversees all aspects of association services and is responsible for increasing credit union membership engagement and awareness.
Before joining the Association, Chris provided consulting services to credit unions throughout the Northeast as a senior consultant with HRValue Group LLC. He has also worked for global organizations such as Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and Nokia. Chris spent three years as an HR consultant and Account Manager with HR Logic, where he provided consulting to small and medium-sized businesses.
Chris is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR). He is also a certified trainer with Achieve Global and Employment Learning Innovations (ELI) and is a current member of the national Society of Human Resources Management organization. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Rhode Island in the field of Human Sciences and Services.
Bill Bywater is Chief Operating Officer of the Association Service Corporation. His responsibilities include overseeing OwnersChoice Funding Incorporated, Universal Sharing Network, Inc. (UsNet) and the Association’s Business Partners. In this role, he is responsible for developing and implementing annual and long-term business plans, meeting strategic objectives and overseeing all aspects of the daily operations in these areas.
Bill joined the New York Credit Union Association as a senior auditor in 1999 and was named audit manager in 2000. In 2002, he assumed the role of director of operations for the New York State Shared Service Centers, now known as UsNet. He was appointed Chief Operating Officer of UsNet in 2015, named Senior Vice President in 2020 and Chief Operating Officer of the Association Service Corporation in 2023.
Prior to joining the organization, Bill served as an accountant and auditor under General Electric’s Financial Management program. A graduate of Hofstra University, Bill holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance and banking.
Amy Kramer is the Chief Advocacy Officer of the New York Credit Union Association. She comes to NYCUA through our alliance with Ostroff Associates. Amy currently serves as Senior Vice President of Ostroff Associates. Amy has over 20 years of experience in government, corporate and association management, focusing on technology, financial services, and community investment.
Before Ostroff Associates, Kramer was President -AT&T New York, where she led the company’s external and public affairs as well as regulatory and legislative agendas, strategic communications, sponsorship and foundation activities within the state of New York. Prior to AT&T, Kramer was vice president, government affairs, at the New York Credit Union Association, where for ten years she directed the organization’s political and grassroots programs and led the Association to achieve its legislative goals in New York and Washington, DC. In 1999, Kramer won a New York State Senate Graduate Fellowship, and served as a fellow and later as Legislative Coordinator.
Kramer has an MA in public history from St. Cloud State University, and a BA in history from the University of Minnesota.
Mitchell Pollack
General Counsel
Mitchell Pollack is the Association’s General Counsel. He comes to NYCUA through our alliance with Mitchell Pollack & Associates, PLLC. Mitch is the managing member/founder of Mitchell Pollack & Associates. He has practiced for more than 35 years in the areas of commercial, bankruptcy and real estate law and has been representing credit unions located across the country since 1989. Mitch has also served as lead counsel on complex litigation matters including: shareholder disputes, breach of contract actions, discrimination claims, defamation actions, regulatory matters, fidelity bond claims, the defense of claims asserted under various state and federal consumer statutes, and has tried numerous cases in both state and federal courts, as well as in alternative dispute resolution venues.
Mitch received his BA at the State University of New York, Cortland and his JD at the University of Buffalo.