SMITHFIELD, R.I. (August 26, 2025) – Navigant Credit Union, the largest member-owned credit union in Rhode Island, is pleased to announce the appointment of former Rhode Island State Police Lieutenant Richard Ptaszek as its new Senior Vice President / Director of Security.
Ptaszek joins Navigant Credit Union after a nearly 30-year career with the Rhode Island State Police, where he specialized in financial-related investigations. In his role as lieutenant, Ptaszek led the department’s Financial Crimes Unit, which was tasked with investigating complex financial cases across the state and protecting Rhode Islanders from fraud and financial abuse.
In his new role, Ptaszek will oversee the physical security of the Credit Union’s network of branch locations and the long-term efforts of enhancing Navigant Credit Union’s methods of mitigating fraud and related losses across all delivery channels and business lines.
“Rich’s distinguished State Police career and his deep experience in public safety make him a strong addition to our team,” said Navigant Credit Union President / CEO Kathy Orovitz. “We’re confident he will be a valuable asset as he joins our leadership team and takes on this important role in protecting our employees, our members, and the communities we serve.”
In addition to his work in the Financial Crimes Unit, Ptaszek also held leadership roles within the Rhode Island State Fusion Center, Major Crimes Unit, and the Gaming Enforcement Unit. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in accounting from Salve Regina University.
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About Navigant Credit Union
Based in Smithfield, R.I., Navigant Credit Union is the longest-operating member-owned credit union in Rhode Island. Since its founding in 1915, Navigant Credit Union has been dedicated to providing its members with unparalleled financial products and services while working every day to improve the financial well-being of the families, businesses, and communities it serves across Rhode Island. With more than $4 billion in assets, more than 165,000 members and 25 physical branch locations, Navigant Credit Union is the oldest and largest credit union in Rhode Island and among the state’s strongest and most trusted financial institutions.
Earning a five-star rating in two consecutive years, Navigant Credit Union is recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s best regional banks and credit unions. Navigant Credit Union is consistently ranked Rhode Island’s top credit union by Forbes; among Rhode Island’s Best Places to Work by Providence Business News and as a top mortgage lender by the Providence Journal. Navigant Credit Union is federally insured by the NCUA.
