USAA Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

USAA has 10 executives leading key functions including organizational strategy, financial oversight, and technological innovation.

Committed to serving military families, USAA delivers specialized banking, insurance, and investment solutions through advanced digital platforms to ensure financial security for members worldwide.

Leadership Roles at USAA

  • Director, Business Strategy & Planning & Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer - Kendall Palme
  • Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer - Laura Bishop
  • Senior Technical Director & Chief Financial Officer, Information Technology Treasury - J. Harlen
  • Financial Analyst & Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Rotational Program - George Zurita
  • Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Program - Cameron Gates
  • Staff Auditor II - Chief Financial Officer - Samuel Huerta
  • Chief of Staff - Allysa Turner
  • Senior Vice President. USAA Chief of Staff - Major Whittle
  • Operational Planning Executive & Director & Chief of Staff - Michelle Salomon
  • Senior VP & Chief Technology Officer - Jeffrey Calusinski
  • Kendall Palme - Director, Business Strategy & Planning & Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer

    Kendall Palme, the Director, Business Strategy & Planning & Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer at USAA, translates high-level corporate vision into actionable strategic plans. Palme manages the alignment of business units to ensure that all departments contribute to the mission of supporting military families. By facilitating communication between the Chief Executive Officer and the leadership team, the Director, Business Strategy & Planning & Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer ensures that strategic priorities remain clear. This role involves conducting market research to identify growth opportunities in the insurance and investment sectors. Kendall Palme oversees the planning process for annual business cycles. Through the coordination of cross-functional teams, the Director, Business Strategy & Planning & Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer drives the execution of key initiatives. Palme also monitors progress against strategic goals to ensure accountability. By maintaining a focus on long-term impact, the Director, Business Strategy & Planning & Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer supports the company's market position.

    Laura Bishop - Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    Laura Bishop, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at USAA, manages the financial health and capital strategy of the organization. Bishop oversees all fiscal reporting, budgeting, and investment activities to ensure the company remains a reliable partner for military members. By directing the financial planning process, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer maintains the liquidity necessary to support insurance and banking operations. This role involves collaborating with the Board to set fiscal policy and risk management standards. Laura Bishop monitors global economic conditions to adjust investment strategies accordingly. Through the rigorous oversight of financial assets, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures that the company meets its obligations to policyholders. Bishop also leads the development of financial models that support long-term growth. By maintaining strict fiscal discipline, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer protects the financial interests of the entire membership base.

    J. Harlen - Senior Technical Director & Chief Financial Officer, Information Technology Treasury

    J. Harlen, the Senior Technical Director & Chief Financial Officer, Information Technology Treasury at USAA, manages the intersection of financial treasury operations and information technology infrastructure. Harlen directs the optimization of digital payment systems to ensure secure and efficient transactions for military members. By overseeing the treasury technology stack, the Senior Technical Director & Chief Financial Officer, Information Technology Treasury ensures that financial data remains protected and accessible. This role involves architecting scalable solutions that support the company's banking and investment platforms. J. Harlen monitors the performance of technical systems to prevent disruptions in financial services. Through the integration of advanced analytics, the Senior Technical Director & Chief Financial Officer, Information Technology Treasury improves the accuracy of financial forecasting. Harlen also leads initiatives to modernize legacy systems, ensuring that the company remains competitive in the digital finance landscape. By aligning technology with fiscal goals, the Senior Technical Director & Chief Financial Officer, Information Technology Treasury drives operational efficiency.

    George Zurita - Financial Analyst & Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Rotational Program

    George Zurita, the Financial Analyst & Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Rotational Program at USAA, develops talent pipelines within the finance department to ensure future leadership continuity. Zurita manages the rotational program, providing emerging professionals with exposure to core financial functions including insurance underwriting and investment management. By mentoring participants, the Financial Analyst & Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Rotational Program fosters a culture of analytical excellence. This role involves evaluating the performance of rotational cohorts to identify high-potential individuals for permanent roles. George Zurita also conducts deep-dive financial analysis to support departmental decision-making. Through the implementation of structured training modules, the Financial Analyst & Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Rotational Program ensures that the next generation of leaders understands the unique financial needs of the military community. Zurita monitors the impact of these programs on overall organizational performance. By cultivating internal talent, the Financial Analyst & Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Rotational Program secures the company's long-term operational success.

    Cameron Gates - Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Program

    Cameron Gates, the Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Program at USAA, oversees the financial curriculum and strategic development of the company's leadership pipeline. Gates manages the allocation of resources to ensure that future leaders receive comprehensive training in banking, insurance, and investment management. By designing programs that emphasize fiscal responsibility, the Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Program prepares participants to handle complex financial challenges. This role involves assessing the financial impact of training initiatives on the organization's bottom line. Cameron Gates collaborates with senior finance leaders to ensure that the program aligns with current market demands. Through the evaluation of participant outcomes, the Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Program identifies areas for curriculum improvement. Gates also monitors the integration of new talent into the broader finance organization. By focusing on the development of financial acumen, the Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Program ensures that the company maintains a strong leadership bench for the future.

    Samuel Huerta - Staff Auditor II - Chief Financial Officer

    Samuel Huerta, the Staff Auditor II - Chief Financial Officer at USAA, conducts rigorous audits to ensure the integrity of financial reporting and internal controls. Huerta monitors compliance with regulatory standards across the banking and insurance divisions. By performing detailed examinations of financial records, the Staff Auditor II - Chief Financial Officer identifies risks and recommends improvements to operational processes. This role involves collaborating with the finance team to maintain accurate documentation for all fiscal activities. Samuel Huerta evaluates the effectiveness of internal controls to prevent fraud and ensure data accuracy. Through the systematic review of financial transactions, the Staff Auditor II - Chief Financial Officer supports the company's commitment to transparency. Huerta also tracks the implementation of audit recommendations to ensure timely resolution of issues. By maintaining high standards of accountability, the Staff Auditor II - Chief Financial Officer protects the financial assets of the organization and its military members.

    Allysa Turner - Chief of Staff

    Allysa Turner, the Chief of Staff at USAA, coordinates cross-functional initiatives to streamline internal operations. Turner manages executive communications and aligns departmental goals with the broader mission of supporting military members. By facilitating collaboration between senior leadership and operational teams, the Chief of Staff ensures that strategic priorities receive consistent focus. This role involves monitoring organizational performance metrics to drive efficiency across the enterprise. Allysa Turner maintains a rigorous schedule of project oversight, ensuring that all initiatives remain compliant with financial regulations. Through the optimization of internal workflows, the Chief of Staff supports the delivery of high-quality banking and insurance products. Turner also evaluates resource allocation to maximize the impact of digital platforms. By fostering a culture of accountability, the Chief of Staff strengthens the operational foundation required to serve the unique needs of the military community effectively.

    Major Whittle - Senior Vice President. USAA Chief of Staff

    Major Whittle, the Senior Vice President. USAA Chief of Staff at USAA, directs high-level administrative functions to support the organization's financial services mission. Whittle oversees the integration of strategic planning with daily operational execution. By managing the flow of information to the executive suite, the Senior Vice President. USAA Chief of Staff ensures that leadership decisions reflect the specific requirements of military families. This position involves leading complex projects that span multiple business units, including insurance and investment divisions. Major Whittle monitors the progress of key initiatives to ensure alignment with long-term growth objectives. Through the implementation of robust governance frameworks, the Senior Vice President. USAA Chief of Staff maintains operational excellence across global markets. Whittle also facilitates engagement with key stakeholders to refine service delivery models. By prioritizing efficiency and clarity, the Senior Vice President. USAA Chief of Staff drives the continuous improvement of the digital tools used by members.

    Michelle Salomon - Operational Planning Executive & Director & Chief of Staff

    Michelle Salomon, the Operational Planning Executive & Director & Chief of Staff at USAA, architects long-term planning frameworks to enhance service accessibility. Salomon manages the alignment of operational resources with the evolving financial needs of the military community. By directing strategic planning sessions, the Operational Planning Executive & Director & Chief of Staff ensures that all departments maintain focus on member-centric outcomes. This role involves analyzing market trends to inform the development of new insurance and banking products. Michelle Salomon oversees the execution of large-scale projects that improve the functionality of mobile platforms. Through the coordination of diverse teams, the Operational Planning Executive & Director & Chief of Staff drives operational agility. Salomon also evaluates the effectiveness of current business processes to identify opportunities for scaling. By maintaining a clear vision for organizational growth, the Operational Planning Executive & Director & Chief of Staff secures the long-term stability of the company's financial offerings.

    Jeffrey Calusinski - Senior VP & Chief Technology Officer

    Jeffrey Calusinski, the Senior VP & Chief Technology Officer at USAA, directs the technological strategy that powers the company's digital banking and insurance platforms. Calusinski oversees the development of secure mobile applications and cloud infrastructure designed to serve military members globally. By architecting robust software solutions, the Senior VP & Chief Technology Officer ensures that members have reliable access to financial services. This role involves leading large engineering teams to innovate within the fintech space. Jeffrey Calusinski monitors emerging technologies to maintain a competitive edge in the banking industry. Through the implementation of cybersecurity protocols, the Senior VP & Chief Technology Officer protects sensitive member data. Calusinski also collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align technical roadmaps with business objectives. By prioritizing system scalability and user experience, the Senior VP & Chief Technology Officer drives the digital transformation of the company's core financial products and services.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding USAA Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads USAA?
    USAA is led by Kendall Palme (Director, Business Strategy & Planning & Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Laura Bishop (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer) and J. Harlen (Senior Technical Director & Chief Financial Officer, Information Technology Treasury).
    Who is part of USAA’s executive team?
    The executive team of USAA includes leaders such as Kendall Palme (Director, Business Strategy & Planning & Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer), Laura Bishop (Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer), J. Harlen (Senior Technical Director & Chief Financial Officer, Information Technology Treasury) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does USAA have?
    USAA has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in USAA’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of USAA includes roles such as Director, Business Strategy & Planning & Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Senior Technical Director & Chief Financial Officer, Information Technology Treasury, Financial Analyst & Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Rotational Program, Chief Financial Officer, Future Leaders Program.