TAMPA, Fla.– After a 46-year-career at Suncoast Credit Union—the only place she has ever worked--Cindy Helton, executive director of the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, is retiring today. Helton is the longest tenured Suncoast employee.
According to the credit union, on Sept. 1, 1976, Helton began her career at Suncoast as a student intern from Tampa Bay Technical High School. Throughout her career, she’s served multiple roles in a variety of departments at Suncoast, climbing the leadership ladder with each move. In 2014 she assumed the helm of the Foundation upon the retirement of her predecessor, Suncoast said.
The credit union added that Helton has played an “instrumental role” in Suncoast's philanthropic efforts and community impact, “relishing the role of humanizing the impact of the Foundation in a way that distributed more than 26 million dollars in funds during her tenure.”
A ’Personal Joy’
“It has been my personal joy to serve in this role, and to meet the people who carry out the works that we help fund,” said Helton. “I will always remember the faces of the children, the gratitude of those who understand and explain the need for the funds and especially for a job that sees the importance of being a true community servant.”
In 1990, the credit union said, the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation was established to benefit children and their families and to support educational initiatives. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised and donated over $36 million to the communities the credit union serves. Every time a Suncoast member uses their debit or credit card, two cents are donated to the Foundation.
‘We Hate to Lose Her’
“It pains us all to bid farewell to Cindy,” said President and CEO Kevin Johnson. “She brings a high level of energy to the role, and she cares deeply about the work of the Foundation. She also has a great understanding of our history and growth, since she has been here the longest. We hate to lose her, but we’re also humbled and grateful for her service to those we serve.”
Helton said she plans to spend her retirement reflecting and relaxing, and spending more time with Chloe, her granddaughter.
Kourtney Berry, who currently serves as Youth Outreach Manager at Suncoast, has been promoted to Executive Director of the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation, and will begin serving in the new role on Dec. 19.
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