DULUTH, GA. – The Moses C. Davis Professional and Volunteers of the Year Awards have been presented by the Georgia Credit Union League.
The awards are named after the founding father of Georgia credit unions, who spent his lifetime supporting credit union ideals and serving Georgia credit unions.
The winners include:
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
The 2016 Professional of the Year: Kabir Laiwalla. Laiwalla is CEO of Platinum Federal Credit Union, which was founded in 1999 to serve the members of the Jubilee Association (Shia Imami Ismaili Community). Laiwalla joined the staff in 2001 and was named CEO in 2008. Today Platinum FCU has assets of more than $83 million and serves more than 8,000 members. In 2016, it was named to the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s list of Top 50 Credit Unions in Georgia. It’s one of the fastest growing credit unions in the state, and offers its members products and services rivaling much larger financial institutions, including a vast array of business services and loans.
GCUA said a significant way Laiwalla demonstrates his commitment to credit union ideals is through his consistent involvement in state and federal government affairs and grassroots efforts. These include Hike the Hill events and Hikes at Home, and he attends the annual Eggs and Issues breakfast that kicks off the legislative session in Georgia.
He is also active in the partnership with the Association of British Credit Unions Limited and has supported the international credit union movement by hosting management teams from South America and sharing best practices and planning and growth strategies. He has served on numerous league committees and he regularly mentors smaller credit unions, attends GCUL’s annual convention, Idea Institute and other educational events. “He is always willing to contribute his time, talents and staff resources to assist when needed,” the GCUA said.
VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR
District 1 Winner: Bud Wilkinson. Wilkinson has been a member of Atlanta Postal Credit Union since 1992 and has served on its board of directors since 2002. A hard working, dedicated volunteer and active member of his church, he previously served his community of DeSoto, Ga. as mayor for 17 years, and is a past National President of the National Rural Letter Carrier’s Association Auxiliary. He serves as the APCU Board Chaplain and chairs the Asset/Liability Committee. As a former teacher, he
heads up the credit union’s Scholarship Review Panel. Wilkinson attends conventions and conferences around the country, where he is known for promoting and sharing the credit union philosophy, the GCUL said.
District 2 Winner: Harry Trawick. Trawick has been a board member at MidSouth Community Federal Credit Union since 1969, chairing the board since 1987. When he first joined the board, the credit union was known as Bibb Teachers and was headquartered in a private home. In his 47 years of service, the credit union has undergone an amazing number of changes, including the introduction of share drafts, the move from paper ledger accounting to computerized records, the addition of ATMs, debit cards, internet banking and mobile banking. He regularly attends educational events such as the GCUA annual meeting, the education credit union conference, local chapter meetings, the Southeast Regional Directors Conference and the Idea Institute, the GCUL said.
District 3 Winner: Charles S. Dubberley. The late Charles S. Dubberley served Savannah Postal Credit Union faithfully for more than three decades, chairing the board for 31 years. Dubberley was nominated for this award in the fall, and passed away in late November. He began his career with the U.S. Postal Service in 1955 and retired 37 years later as the Postmaster/Sectional Center Manager of Savannah and the surrounding area. He loved his credit union and believed whole heartedly in the credit union movement. He participated in the Postal Credit Union Council and attended their educational events to continually expand his knowledge and help his credit union remain strong. Savannah Postal CU grew under his leadership, and he was always looking to ensure that members have access to the products and services that best serve their needs, the GCUL said.