OAK RIDGE, Tenn.–David Watkins, who has served for more than 50 years on the Supervisory Committee of ORNL FCU, is retiring.
Watkins began serving as a Supervisory Committee member for ORTEC Employees’ Credit Union in 1970 and was a member of the credit union’s board when a merger with ORNL FCU was finalized at the end of 1984.
“As a member of the Supervisory Committee, Watkins worked to ensure that the credit union’s financial records were in order and that the necessary internal controls were in place to protect members’ assets,” the credit union said. “He engaged with internal and external auditors to test and monitor internal controls and business practices.”
During his tenure, Watkins served in various capacities on the credit union’s Supervisory Committee, including as chair for 14 years and vice chair for four years. He also served as an ORNL FCU board member for three years and served on the nominating committee for six years. In 1982, he became a certified credit union official through CUNA.
Part of Significant Expansion
According to ORNL, under his supervision Watkins played a central role in the significant expansion of the credit union, with assets growing from $123.5 million in 1984 to more than $2.3 billion 2020. During that same period, ORNL FCU’s membership expanded from 23,600 to more than 173,000 and the number of branches increased from three to 28.
During his tenure Watkins was an officer for the Oak Ridge Chapter of Credit Unions and was elected to the Tennessee Credit Union’s League’s Board of Directors in 1981. He volunteered for six years, including serving as chairman from 1985 to 1986.
“For almost 20 years, I have had the privilege of volunteering at ORNL FCU with David,” said Randy Gorman, chair of the ORNL board. “I originally started on the supervisory committee with David and under his leadership, I learned so much about the credit union. I have truly valued his guidance. David always led by example and has an impeccable character. He will be missed.”
A native of Indiana, Watkins graduated from Indiana Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1965. He was drafted by the army in 1967 and moved to the East Tennessee area in 1969 to work for ORTEC in Oak Ridge.