Press
Greater Abbeville Federal Credit Union Board Chair receives national award
ABBEVILLE, SC (February 27, 2014) – Mark Hall, Chair of the Greater Abbeville Federal Credit Union Board of Directors, has been honored as Volunteer of the Year by Credit Union Times. Mark was recognized during the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Governmental Affairs Conference on February 25th in Washington, D.C. His story is also being told this week in Credit Union Times.
Staff reporters and correspondents selected Hall as Trailblazer Volunteer of the Year in part because of: “An unwavering ability to always put others first.”
Hall told the Credit Union Times that he wanted to join the board more than 20 years ago because of the credit union philosophy. “I do believe in it and that as board members we should do all we can to help other credit union members reach a high level of financial freedom and responsibility.”
During Hall’s tenure as board president, Greater Abbeville Federal Credit Union (GAFCU) has obtained a Low Income Designation as well as CDFI Certification with a grant of $100,000 to hire a new business development professional. The credit union was recognized as a Community Business Impact of the year for service to the community including special assistance to employees of a large plant that announced major layoffs. It included a loan deference program and special loan refinancing to assist members while they searched for jobs. New products and services were introduced to help those who have been advantage of by predatory lenders.
“Mark always has the best interest of the membership and Abbeville in mind. That’s important in a community our size,” said Greater Abbeville Federal Credit Union CEO Faye Crocker. “We feel that Mark exemplifies the spirit of helping others.”
Hall is a native of Abbeville County who returned home after a distinguished career as an Air Force pilot who attained the rank of Colonel. He became Director of Public Utilities for the City of Abbeville, SC. Hall has been actively involved in many aspects of Abbeville Presbyterian Church. As a member of Habitat for Humanity, he’s used his hands to help build several houses in the area.
Perhaps the volunteer role that’s impacted the largest number of people in his hometown started some twenty years ago as Mark joined the board of directors of the Greater Abbeville Federal Credit Union. In 2007, he became vice-president of the board, and president in 2011.
Greater Abbeville Federal Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative with membership open to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Abbeville County. Founded in 1972 by employees of Flexible Tubing Industries, today the credit union has over 2,000 members and assets of over $12million.