Our Team

CDR Kem Siddons, a retired veteran and 27-year Jacksonville resident, has served VyStar as a volunteer Director in numerous roles, most recently as Board Chair. His education includes a BS in accounting and MS degrees in both IT and instructional systems. CDR Siddons is semi-retired and active in the community as a 25-year volunteer with The Players Championship and his church.

Currently Vice Chair on VyStar Board and Chair on VyStar Financial Group Board; VyStar Foundation Board Member. Senior environmental scientist for environmental consulting firm. Retired DoD civilian environmental scientist. Retired Master Chief Petty Officer after 10 years active-duty Navy and 14 years Naval Reserves. Formal education includes B.S. Occupational Health and Safety; M.S. Operations Management; and M.S. Soil and Water Science, minor in Environmental Engineering Science. Active in Jacksonville Real Estate Investors’ Association and in church community.

Member of VyStar’s Board and Chair of the Compensation Committee. Has served on the Audit and Risk Committee and Strategic Planning Committee. CUNA training including: Board of Director evaluation, asset/liability management, financial reporting, live training in Anti-Money Laundering/Bank Secrecy Act. Experience audit manager with PricewaterhouseCoopers serving banking clients. Work experience with two banks including positions in lending, credit analysis, teller, collection, and internal audit. Retired CFO & Treasurer of four companies owned by GuideWell/Florida Blue.

Jennifer Lusk has served on the VyStar Board of Directors and various committees for several years. Her experience in risk, audit and compliance focuses on helping to ensure appropriate governance and oversight. Jennifer is currently VP of Internal Audit at Fortegra, where she oversees SOX and IT compliance, ERM, fraud risk, third-party compliance and various process improvement initiatives within operations. She previously served as Treasurer for Northeast Florida IIA and served as Treasurer for JWLF.

Served on VyStar Board of Directors for 38 years in the capacity of Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and member on all committees. Earned the designation of CCD having completed the CUES Directors Leadership Institute at the London Business School. Studied credit union extensively in the Volunteer Achievement Program. I retired from NADEP Jacksonville as a Program Manager and retired from the USCGR as a CWO4 (PERSONNEL). I earned an AA Degree from Florida Community College.

Mr. Blackshear is a member of the VyStar Board of Directors and is currently serving as Vice Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. Has served on the Audit Committee for several years. Prior to becoming the Director of Financial Planning at JEA, he held management positions in payment processing, credit, collection, and billing. He earned a B.A. from the University of North Florida and his CPA from the Florida Board of Accountancy.

Vicki Harris, Vice President for MAXIMUS, with responsibility for Information Security Management. She is currently serving her second term on the VyStar Audit Committee. Prior to joining MAXIMUS, she held senior positions with several National and International Banks and Financing organizations in the fields of Cyber Security and Risk Management. Notable is her dedication to the advancement of Information Security field. She is a native of Jacksonville and has lived on the Northside since 1985. 

Mrs. Harper Pickens has nearly thirty years of legal and practical experience guiding businesses through complex issues. She has represented a wide range of clients in various commercial initiatives. Her experience includes finance, corporate governance, merger and acquisitions, real estate, and commercial transactions. Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Georgia and a Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law. She has lived in Northeast Florida since 2007.

Sarah Groom is a Director in Amazon Corporate and Business Development. She leads Warrant and Derivative Investments at Amazon, where she uses innovative investment strategies to support Amazon’s portfolio of commercial partners across businesses. She has an expansive background across financial services and technology. Sarah’s 20+ year toolkit includes product development, compliance, strategy, sales, and business development. She earned her undergraduate degree from American University in Washington D.C. and her MBA from Duke University.

Over 41 years working as an Accountant and as a credit union member. Served on two credit union Boards for 11+ years and various committees in those credit unions. Currently serving as Active Director Emiritus at VyStar.

Mr. Chaker is a Senior Business Technology Executive with demonstrated experience in leading global IT organizations, both internal and thru outsourced services. Led global engagements in Americas, EMEA, and Asia, with a focus on customer-centric solutions and promotion of growth under strict budget controls. Executive Account Management for large global Supply Chain Technology initiatives. Founder Luxury Leather Brand, driving creative, operational and financial aspects and regulatory reporting.

Vicki Harris, Vice President for MAXIMUS, with responsibility for Information Security Management. She is currently serving her second term on the VyStar Audit Committee. Prior to joining MAXIMUS, she held senior positions with several National and International Banks and Financing organizations in the fields of Cyber Security and Risk Management. Notable is her dedication to the advancement of Information Security field. She is a native of Jacksonville and has lived on the Northside since 1985. 

Mr. Greive is honored to serve our members by maintaining a watchful eye over members' assets, partnering with the Board and Leadership to solve problems. He looks forward to using the experiences and skills he’s acquired through 15 years of progressive financial leadership to benefit VyStar and those we serve. Mr. Greive’s previous experiences as an Investment Advisor, Treasurer, and ultimately CFO of large, complex organizations will benefit VyStar and our members.

The intersection of business, banking, and government is a comfortable place for me. VyStar takes their customers as seriously as my family did when running Barnett Bank, which was Florida’s largest bank at the time it merged with Nations Bank. Today many institutions do not highlight the importance of customer service. My business experience with publicly traded companies and recently acquired experience in government also adds to the customer perspective.

Ms. Weaver is a licensed CPA with the State of Florida. She has her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) and Master’s in Accounting (MAcc). She has over 20 years of experience in leadership roles with 5 years of experience in non-profit organizations. Ms. Weaver has lived in Northeast Florida area for 25+ years. She has worked extensively with Board of Directors in past roles.

Currently Vice Chair on VyStar Board and Chair on VyStar Financial Group Board; VyStar Foundation Board Member. Senior environmental scientist for environmental consulting firm. Retired DoD civilian environmental scientist. Retired Master Chief Petty Officer after 10 years active-duty Navy and 14 years Naval Reserves. Formal education includes B.S. Occupational Health and Safety; M.S. Operations Management; and M.S. Soil and Water Science, minor in Environmental Engineering Science. Active in Jacksonville Real Estate Investors’ Association and in church community.

Mrs. Harper Pickens has nearly thirty years of legal and practical experience guiding businesses through complex issues. She has represented a wide range of clients in various commercial initiatives. Her experience includes finance, corporate governance, merger and acquisitions, real estate, and commercial transactions. Her education includes a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Georgia and a Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law. She has lived in Northeast Florida since 2007.

Vicki Harris, Vice President for MAXIMUS, with responsibility for Information Security Management. She is currently serving her second term on the VyStar Audit Committee. Prior to joining MAXIMUS, she held senior positions with several National and International Banks and Financing organizations in the fields of Cyber Security and Risk Management. Notable is her dedication to the advancement of Information Security field. She is a native of Jacksonville and has lived on the Northside since 1985. 

Jennifer Lusk has served on the VyStar Board of Directors and various committees for several years. Her experience in risk, audit and compliance focuses on helping to ensure appropriate governance and oversight. Jennifer is currently VP of Internal Audit at Fortegra, where she oversees SOX and IT compliance, ERM, fraud risk, third-party compliance and various process improvement initiatives within operations. She previously served as Treasurer for Northeast Florida IIA and served as Treasurer for JWLF.

Sarah Groom is a Director in Amazon Corporate and Business Development. She leads Warrant and Derivative Investments at Amazon, where she uses innovative investment strategies to support Amazon’s portfolio of commercial partners across businesses. She has an expansive background across financial services and technology. Sarah’s 20+ year toolkit includes product development, compliance, strategy, sales, and business development. She earned her undergraduate degree from American University in Washington D.C. and her MBA from Duke University.