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Susan Adams, Entrust Financial Credit Union CEO and PSCU Board Member, Dies at 59
ST. PETERSBURG, FL (April 10, 2013) – Susan J. Adams, President and CEO of Entrust Financial Credit Union and secretary of PSCU’s Board of Directors, passed away peacefully Monday, April 8 following a brave battle against cancer. She was 59. She is survived by her husband, Daniel Adams; sister, Jane Geracimos; and brothers, Wheylan and Bruce Johnson.
Susan found her calling as a professional in the credit union industry, which opened the door for her to demonstrate her strengths as an astute business leader and community-minded citizen. She began her credit union career in 1976 as a teller with DuPont Fibers Federal Credit Union (now Argent FCU) in Richmond, VA. Susan developed a keen interest in all aspects of the credit union and moved into positions where she helped implement the first credit card and share draft programs.
“The credit union industry has lost one of its truly great advocates and leaders,” said PSCU Board Chairman Craig Esrael, President of First South Credit Union, Bartlett, Tenn. “Susan possessed that rare blend of intelligence, energy, compassion and humility that earned the admiration and respect of all who had the privilege to meet and know her. She leaves a rich legacy as a successful credit union CEO, a champion of PSCU and its Member-Owners and a tireless advocate for the role of women in leadership positions in the credit union industry. The results of her work will forever endure.”
Susan was hired as President/CEO of Forenbord FCU (now Entrust Financial Credit Union) in Richmond in 1989 and served in that role for 24 years. She viewed the position as the perfect channel to pursue her management goal of always treating her employees as family and giving them the opportunity to advance and grow. Also, Susan felt comfortable with the credit union’s field of membership, which was comprised of faith-based groups.
Over many years, Susan worked on the local, state and national levels to help credit union achieve the level of expertise necessary to survive in the financial marketplace as competitors. Her credit union was a frequent early adopter of new technology and solutions to better address members’ financial services’ needs.
“There are giants in every industry – extraordinary people who meet circumstance head-on and do it bravely with dignity and grace,” said Michael J. Kelly, President and CEO of PSCU. “They possess the blend of courage and confidence that distinguishes them as remarkable and successful leaders. Susan Adams was such a person. We will deeply miss her warmth, her smile and the insights she shared with us as a Board member to help advance the interests of the Member-Owners she represented.”
Kelly announced that the company’s Women’s Leadership Network, created two years ago, will be renamed the Susan Adams Women’s Leadership Network to honor and celebrate her tireless commitment to advancing women’s leadership.
Susan served a term as Chairman of the Richmond Chapter of Credit Union Board. In addition, Susan also served on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Credit Union League and Virginia Corporate. She also was elected as a Virginia National Delegate to the Credit Union National Association. In 1999, Susan was awarded the “Gene Farley Credit Union Professional of the Year” by the Virginia Credit Union League for her service to the credit union movement both locally and statewide.
In addition to her credit union life, Susan had a strong belief in helping the community whether it was local, state or national. Through this commitment, she became involved in several charities in order to make a difference. Her love for golf was instrumental in Susan’s founding of a golf tournament for the Richmond Chapter of Credit unions to benefit the Children’s Miracle Network in 1994. Over the 18 years she directed the tournament, hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised for the charity.
It was Susan’s wish that friends and family wanting to contribute in her honor make a donation to the Capital Fund Campaign of Salisbury Presbyterian Church, 13621 W. Salisbury Rd., Midlothian, Va. 23113. A celebration of Susan’s life will be held at Salisbury Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, April 17, at 11 a.m. A reception will be held in the church fellowship hall following the service. An online registry can be signed at www.blileys.com.
About PSCU
Established in 1977, PSCU (St. Petersburg, Fla.) is the nation’s leading credit union service organization (CUSO) and serves more than 1,500 financial institutions nationwide. The company is owned by nearly 700 Member-Owner credit unions. For more information, visit the PSCU website at www.pscu.com.