COLUMBIA, SC (February 19, 2026) |
Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union is pleased to announce the appointments of three key leadership roles: Michael Beam as special advisor to the CEO, Elizabeth Bunn as chief financial officer and Matt Gaskin as chief operating officer.
“These appointments reflect the depth of our leadership team and our commitment to intentional, long-term succession planning,” says Robert Dozier, president and CEO of Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union. “Michael’s decades of service have played a defining role in shaping our organization,
and we are grateful that his continued involvement will help ensure a seamless transition. At the same time, Elizabeth and Matt bring the experience, vision and steady leadership needed to build on that legacy and guide Palmetto Citizens forward in service to our members and communities.”
Leadership Transition: Legacy, Continuity and Forward Vision
Michael Beam originally joined Palmetto Citizens in 1986 as CFO and assumed the additional responsibilities of COO in May 2023. Throughout his 40-year tenure, he has developed a thorough knowledge of the organization while overseeing various operational areas. As special advisor to the CEO, he provides strategic guidance, mentorship and knowledge transfer. He also oversees the organization’s new corporate headquarters project.
Beam has announced his plans to retire in June 2026 following an extraordinary 40-year career with the credit union. Until his retirement in June, he will serve in a part-time advisory role, supporting enterprise-level initiatives and ensuring continuity, stability and a thoughtful transition of responsibilities. His continued involvement allows Palmetto Citizens to benefit from his experience and institutional knowledge during this important period.
“Serving Palmetto Citizens for nearly 40 years has been the honor of my lifetime,” says Beam. “I’m incredibly proud of the organization we’ve built and continue building together — rooted in service, integrity and a deep commitment to our members. I have full confidence in the leaders at every level
of this organization and know they will continue strengthening and advancing our mission for generations to come.”
Elizabeth Bunn joined Palmetto Citizens in 2023, bringing over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry to her role as chief investment and asset-liability management officer. As CFO, Bunn oversees all financial functions of the credit union, including financial strategy, asset liability management, investments, budgeting, accounting, risk management and overall financial performance. Prior to joining the organization, she served as treasurer at a South Carolina- based community bank as well as at a large national bank.
“It’s a privilege to step into this role and continue serving at an organization with such a strong financial foundation and member-focused mission,” says Bunn. “I’m excited to build on that foundation by advancing responsible growth, thoughtful financial stewardship and a long-term strategy that ensures Palmetto Citizens remains a trusted partner.”
Matt Gaskin has been a member of the Palmetto Citizens team for 26 years and has served in various roles within the IT department, most recently as chief information officer.
As COO, Gaskin leads operational strategy across the organization, including oversight of technology, operations, security, facilities, fraud, data analytics and project management. His focus is on scalability and operational efficiency while enhancing both the member and associate experience.
“Having spent my career at Palmetto Citizens, I understand how critical strong, reliable operations are to serving our members,” says Gaskin. “As COO, my priority is to align our operations with our long- term vision — strengthening infrastructure, embracing smart innovation and ensuring we are positioned to grow with purpose.”
Building for the Future: Investment, Expansion and Community Impact
Palmetto Citizens’ commitment to operational excellence and long-term community impact continues to drive its growth in the Midlands and beyond. In 2025, the financial institution broke ground on its new five-story, 100,000-square-foot headquarters at the corner of Sumter and Lady streets in Columbia — the largest office development in the downtown area in more than 15 years. The facility is expected to open in early 2027 and will house Palmetto Citizens’ administrative offices, operations center and downtown Columbia branch, along with community meeting spaces, a restaurant space
and a 325-space parking garage.
As Palmetto Citizens marks 90 years of service in 2026, the credit union remains focused on sustainable growth, building on a strong leadership foundation and expanding access to member- owned financial services while deepening its community impact. Recent milestones include charter
expansion to support future regional growth, a new branch coming to Whitmire, S.C., and the launch of the Palmetto Citizens Foundation, further strengthening the credit union’s commitment to financial education and charitable initiatives.
