(October 1, 2014) -- Georgia Miller, a board member since 1979, retired September 30, having served more than half her life and seen STCU grow into the state’s third-largest credit union and among the top 100 in the nation.
STCU had just 9,400 members when Miller joined the board 35 years ago. Today, it has more than 130,000. The credit union has grown from one branch location to 17, with another under construction.
“We didn’t have debit cards or credit cards,” Miller said. ATMs, online banking, and the STCU mobile app also happened under her watch.
“Without Georgia, STCU would be a different place,” says Tom Johnson, STCU President and CEO. “She helped set us on the path to becoming the most popular credit union in the region, and one of the most successful in the nation.”
Being a volunteer board member for STCU has not been a cushy job. At her peak in 2010, Georgia attended meetings on 77 days, including some three-meeting days.
Credit union members benefitted from that dedication, as did the entire region. Among other things, the retired business teacher has been a champion of STCU’s financial education program, which last year reached 4,627 teens and pre-teens.
A native of Seattle, Miller taught business for 32 years – the first eight years at Coulee City School District, followed by 24 years in Spokane Public Schools (1978 to 2002). She led the business department at Rogers High School for nearly 20 years. Miller has a bachelor’s degree in business education from University of Washington and a master’s in business education from Central Washington University.
The past 35 years have been “a big adventure for credit unions and especially for STCU,” Georgia said. “It’s been interesting to see how everything changed, and satisfying to see how our stature has risen in the community.”
About STCU
Founded by teachers in 1934, STCU is a member-owned not-for-profit financial cooperative. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, worships or goes to school in the state of Washington or North Idaho.