Palmetto Citizens CEO retiring, new leader appointed
COLUMBIA, SC (December 1, 2022) — Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union and its Board of Directors would like to congratulate Nick Wodogaza, their President & CEO of the past 28 years, on his upcoming retirement on January 31, 2023. The Palmetto Citizens Board is also pleased to announce that after almost six months of work seeking highly qualified candidates, the Board has selected Mr. Robert F. Dozier, Jr. to serve as the next President & CEO of Palmetto Citizens beginning on February 1, 2023.
Mr. Wodogaza has provided remarkable leadership to Palmetto Citizens during his lengthy career as CEO and has been a major part of advancing the credit union movement in South Carolina for over 41 years.
“We are tremendously grateful for Nick’s leadership throughout the past 28 years as CEO,” said Board Chairman Steve Hamm. “Since announcing his intention to retire, our entire Board immediately recognized that we faced a significant challenge in finding a suitable replacement given the outstanding work and devoted service Mr. Wodogaza has rendered our credit union, staff and to our members for over a quarter of a century.”
Under Mr. Wodogaza’s leadership at Palmetto Citizens, the credit union has seen a tremendous level of growth. However, they have never lost focus of their true mission of helping and supporting members with their financial needs by offering an array of personalized services and low-cost financial products.
Over the last 28 years, Palmetto Citizens (formerly Columbia Teachers Federal Credit Union) has grown from serving 23,000 consumers to now serving over 100,000. Their total assets increased during this time from $102 million to nearly $1.3 billion today. In addition, Mr. Wodogaza has overseen the addition of many new office and ATM locations, multiple field of membership expansions, and the addition of several new account and product offerings, allowing more people to benefit from the many financial and planning services provided by Palmetto Citizens.
“I have been extremely fortunate to serve our credit union over the years, and to work alongside so many incredible people who share the same focus of making Palmetto Citizens the best place for our members and staff,” said Mr. Wodogaza. “I know our organization’s devotion to serving our members will remain a top priority as Palmetto Citizens enters its next chapter of serving members today and in the coming years.”
The Palmetto Citizens Board of Directors enlisted the services of PLR, Inc. to aid in finding their next President & CEO. After an extensive search and consideration of numerous qualified candidates, Palmetto Citizens selected Mr. Robert F. Dozier, Jr. to lead and inspire the staff of our credit union to identify and implement new opportunities to serve its members.
Mr. Dozier has been in the banking and mortgage industry for over 34 years. Prior to joining Palmetto Citizens, Mr. Dozier served as President of First Reliance Bancshares and Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of First Reliance Bank. Mr. Dozier also previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, a $140 billion wholesale Bank serving over 850 financial institution shareholders across the Southeast.
“I am honored for this opportunity to build upon the foundation Mr. Wodogaza, and the entire staff of the credit union, have built,” said Mr. Dozier. “Through my time living in the Columbia area, as well as my work with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, I have become very familiar and impressed with Palmetto Citizens and the great work they are doing for their members and community. I look forward to working with a very talented team to continue to build upon this best-in-class financial institution for the members we are so fortunate to serve.”
Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union has been serving their member-owners since 1936. Today, Palmetto Citizens serves over 100,000 consumers and operates from 14 Midlands locations with over 40 ATMs. Offering a full range of financial products and services, their focus remains on providing quality and effective service while helping members achieve their financial potential. For more information, visit www.palmettocitizens.org or call (803) 732-5000.
About Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union
Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union has been serving their member-owners since 1936. Today, with over $1.3 Billion in assets and 310 employees throughout the Midlands, Palmetto Citizens serves over 100,000 consumers and operates from 14 locations with over 45 ATMs. Offering a full range of financial products and services, their focus remains on providing quality and effective service while helping members achieve their financial potential. For more information, visit www.palmettocitizens.org or call (803) 732-5000.
