LACEY, Wash.–O Bee Credit Union’s new chief financial officer is bringing some unique attributes to the job—she is the great granddaughter of one of the credit union’s founders, and also has board experiences.
O Bee Credit Union has named Martha Prestin as CFO.
“With a wealth of experience in the finance industry and a proven track record of success, Prestin brings a valuable perspective to the leadership team and adds her name to a proud family history,” the $590-million credit union stated in a news release.
According to O’Bee, Prestin has served on the CUs board and supervisory committee for more than 20 years, including the last four years as the supervisory committee chair. Prior to joining O Bee, Prestin was CFO for the Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts of America for 12 years.
Prestin’s great grandfather was Ted McGill, who in 1955 while working at the Olympia Brewery “heard about credit unions and thought it would be a good idea for the brewery workers to start one,” O Bee CU said in its statement.
McGill would go on to help O Bee Credit Union, which today has more than 34,000 members.
‘Never Would Have Imagined’
“He likely never imagined that 68 years later, his great granddaughter would assume the role he once held,” O Bee stated in the news release.
In addition to Ted McGill, his wife, Viola “Vi” McGill, was also instrumental in helping to get the credit union started.
Accounting prowess runs in Prestin’s family, dating back to her great-grandmother Viola “Vi” McGill.
“People don’t talk about my great-grandmother enough,” Prestin said, according to the Chronicle. “My grandfather thought he could do it by himself, but quickly realized he needed her help.”
Dining Room Table was Office
Vi McGill served as the credit union’s head bookkeeper, a position she held from O Bee’s launch until her retirement in 1971.
During the first three years of the credit union’s founding, Ted and Vi McGill ran O Bee from their dining room table, and brewery employees would walk the few blocks to their small Craftsman-style home to discuss loans and make deposits, the credit union said.
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