Blog Team

Robert Hopkins Jr. joined VyStar Credit Union more than two years ago after he relocated from New York. He serves as a Supervisor in our Collections Department—a field in which he has almost 10 years of experience. Robert’s passion to assist others has made it an easy transition. He is always searching for a solution to help others. 

While attending Saint Peter’s University, Robert also discovered his passion for writing, and he looks forward to sharing encouraging topics with our wonderful members.

When he is not working, Robert enjoys watching European soccer with his four daughters.

With 13 years of experience in the financial industry, Wesley Hurlock serves as the Branch Vice President for VyStar’s Fernandina Beach branch and as a Board Member with the Amelia Island Fernandina Beach Yulee (AIFBY) Chamber of Commerce.

Having been with VyStar for more than seven years, he is committed to building relationships with his team and within his community. With a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Brenau University, Wesley strives to find innovative ways to help VyStar members with their financial needs. He is looking forward to sharing his experiences as a business and financial professional.

A native New Yorker with more than eight years of professional writing and editing experience, Stella Katsipoutis-Varkanis is a writer/content creator for VyStar's dynamic marketing team. 

Stella’s work has appeared in a variety of local and national publications, including Women’s Health, Bridal Guide, Redbook, Fitness, Jacksonville, 904, South and 1-800-Flowers.com. 

She graduated from Pace University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and psychology, as well as a Master of Science in publishing.

Using her passion for the written word, Stella aspires to bring fun, engaging and informational content to our valued VyStar members.

A native Floridian and U.S. Army veteran, Preston Mangus has been a VyStar member for 34 years and a VyStar employee for more than two. As the Financial Counselor at the NAS Jax branch, accredited through the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education (AFCPE), he provides financial management counseling to VyStar members.

Before VyStar, he worked in the insurance and contract surety field, was a registered representative, and held various insurance licenses and designations. He graduated from the University of Florida and received a Master of Science in management from Troy University. Preston is passionate about educating young military service members about the importance of financial literacy.

Lisa McGowan has worked as a Branch Vice President with VyStar for 20 years. With more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, she has seen and heard many different stories about the financial successes and challenges people face.

Having served as a VyStar Money Makeover coach for three years, Lisa is particularly interested in the psychology of how people spend their money. She believes that financial success can be directly attributed to our attitudes and beliefs about money.

Lisa is excited to be part of the blog team and hopes to share the tips she has learned in coaching people over the years.

As a security professional, Trey Sikes has spent his career at VyStar ensuring our members’ assets are protected. His background is in the Internal Audit function and he now works as an Information Systems Security Officer.

A graduate of Georgia Southern University, he also holds five certifications related to the internal audit and information security fields.

He is always looking for topics related to information and technology security that may interest our members.