Martinsville, Virginia (February 15, 2022) – ValleyStar Credit Union announces Justin Barnes as its chief lending officer to join the executive team and work alongside colleagues to diversify the ValleyStar lending portfolio.

Justin began his career in financial services in 1999 and has spent 23 years in lending. He joined ValleyStar Credit Union in 2018. In his most recent role as VP of commercial lending, Justin grew the team to more than $160 million, adding multiple lenders in five new markets, while helping hundreds of small businesses grow by providing capital. 

“Under Justin’s leadership, ValleyStar’s commercial lending team saw tremendous growth, ” said Mike Warrell, ValleyStar CEO. “We look forward to Justin’s guidance and leadership as he oversees the entire ValleyStar loan portfolio, growing and diversifying all lending opportunities from mortgage and auto to commercial.”

In 2020, ValleyStar expanded its lending services into Augusta County, Virginia, where the commercial team contributed to almost a dozen new housing developments. The team earned a CUNA (Credit Union National Association) National Excellence in Lending Award for ValleyStar’s efforts in building a responsive and contactless program as an alternative to the national paycheck protection program.

Justin attended Virginia Western Community College and is a 2009 graduate of the Virginia Bankers Association School of Bank Management at the University of Virginia.