WYOMISSING, Penn.–After 26 years, Discovery FCU said its president and CEO, Edwin L. Williams, plans to retire at year-end. The $181-million DFCU said it has launched a search for a successor.
Williams began his career at Discovery FCU, then known as Reading Works FCU, when he was named president/CEO. At the time the credit union had $46 million in total assets and served 4,500 members. Today it has 9,000 members.
In a statement announcing the retirement, Discovery FCU said Williams is just the second CEO in its 63-year history.
During his tenure, Williams has overseen an FOM expansion from being a small, occupational-based credit union for the employees of AT&T Technologies with limited services, to a community-based credit union serving all of Greater Reading and Berks County, Pennsylvania, as well as to an expansion to a full suite of products, services, and technology that compete with the largest of financial institutions.
‘Pioneering Leadership’
“Under his pioneering leadership, the credit union has undergone a name change, charter conversion, rebranding, construction of new headquarters and most recently major branch renovations, three mergers, a core conversion, two online and mobile banking conversions, the introduction of a multitude of products and services to meet the changing needs of its member-owners and the transformation to a digital-first strategic growth strategy,” Discovery FCU said on its website.
Discovery FCU noted that under Williams it has consistently achieved high member satisfaction scores, received numerous industry awards, and local and national honors, and has been recognized as one of the Top 200 Healthiest Credit Unions in America for the past three consecutive years by DepositAcccounts.com
“As I close my chapter with Discovery FCU, I am proud that we are a healthy, high-performing Credit Union,” said Williams. “In my role as a leader, I am fortunate to have worked with so many talented and passionate employees, volunteers and board of directors who helped create a forward-thinking organization focused on delivering exceptional service for the betterment and benefit of our member-owners. As I step back to spend more time with my wife, children, and grandchildren, I look forward to seeing the exciting ways Discovery FCU will continue to grow and innovate in the years to come.”
Multiple Volunteer Roles
During his career Williams has served on the CUNA board, the National CU Foundation board, the Pennsylvania Credit Union Foundation board, the CrossState Credit Union Association Awards Committee, The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Council, the NCUA Awards Committee, the Greater Berks County Food Bank board, the St. Ignatius Loyola Finance Committee, the BCIAA Volleyball Officials board, and the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce Business Community Advocacy Council.
He has also been before the House Financial Services Committee and participated in several political events advocating for and on behalf of the credit union movement.
In 2020 Williams received the distinguished William W. Pratt Professional of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award by the CrossState Credit Union Association.