CUs grow and do good in the community

Cornerstone League recognizes member credit unions’ news about their growth, expansion, and community endeavors to exemplify the “people helping people” philosophy.

WOCCU CEO LaBorde visits with Oklahoma credit unions

Elissa McCarter LaBorde, president/CEO for the World Council of Credit Unions, recently spent time in Oklahoma. She met with credit unions and, in particular,  True Sky Federal Credit Union in Oklahoma City.

“True Sky is excited to welcome Elissa to Oklahoma for the first time and hear about the wonderful programs WOCCU is advancing, especially the Global Bridges initiative which is incredibly successful,” said President/CEO Sean Cahill. “Our board of directors is proud to be involved with this effort to support credit unions around the world. Doing global good is a hallmark of our board.”

Among her activities while she was in town, LaBorde attended a dinner with True Sky’s board of directors. Topics of conversation surrounded WOCCU’s general activities and the state of the company, a pending partnership with OFEK Credit Union, the first credit union in Israel, possible Project Stormbreak assistance, and the True Sky partnership with Ghana credit unions in 2024.

The following day, LaBorde attended a CEO breakfast with a group of Oklahoma credit unions leaders. The discussions comprised general updates, a deep dive into the Worldwide Foundation Global Bridges Program, and how credit unions around the world are connecting. The CEOs had many questions about how Oklahoma credit unions could participate in WOCCU’s wonderful work.

During True Sky’s regular RiseUP! meeting, LaBorde was the keynote speaker on the Global Women’s Leadership Network and Sister Societies. She later participated in a fireside-style chat about her career, the challenges she faced, her accomplishments, and general advice and best practices for all women leaders advancing in the careers.

LaBorde also visited several True Sky locations, saw the credit union’s new technology-only branch with a community room for a local church and new food bank. True Sky launched the food bank on Nov. 7 with a grant from the CUNA Foundation.

Also on the agenda, LaBorde visited with two of True Sky’s newer developments: Hangar 46, a shared workspace open to the community and designed as a stage 2 incubator for new small businesses, and The Volaré Club, a community of empowered women business owners who share in and amplify each other’s success. 

Trinity Plaza 1 will become AFFCU’s new Corporate Headquarters

Air Force Federal Credit Union, with $660 million in assets and serving more than 52,000 members, has announced its closing on a long-term lease at Trinity Plaza 1, 750 East Mulberry in San Antonio.

The five-story Class A office building, owned by Mulberry Partners, LLC, a Red McCombs Enterprises entity, will become the credit union’s new corporate headquarters early 2025. AFFCU will occupy the entire 46,623-square-foot building and open a flagship Financial Center on the ground floor. The existing tenants will vacate the building over the next 18 months.

Jeffery Miller, managing director at Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc. (JLL) negotiated the transaction on behalf of AFFCU and Chuck King, also managing director at JLL, negotiated the transaction on behalf of Red McCombs Enterprises. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Built in 1983, all five floors of Trinity Plaza 1 will be completely renovated. AFFCU selected Kirksey Architecture for the interior design, and Mulberry Partners, LLC selected Studio8 Architects for the exterior renovation.

"We're excited to relocate our corporate headquarters to a more centralized location near downtown and the Pearl,” said Ryan Ross, president/CEO of AFFCU. “Trinity Plaza 1 and the surrounding area will provide our employees with the amenities and work setting they deserve. As we expand throughout South Central Texas, this is the perfect location for our office operations and executive staff from which to build on our future."

Conceptual renderings of Trinity Plaza 1 exterior after renovation: (add 2 pics)

Texas Trust Gives pledges $10,000 for liberal arts and welding scholarships

Committed to building brighter financial futures, Texas Trust Gives Foundation has partnered with Trinity Valley Community College to offer two $5,000 scholarships over a five-year term. 

The mission for Texas Trust Gives is to invest in local communities and build brighter financial futures carried out by giving back through scholarships, grants, and employee volunteerism. Earlier this year, the foundation awarded $75,000 in grants to seven school districts, including Athens Independent School District. 

By creating partnerships with institutions like TVCC and Athens ISD, Texas Trust Gives plans to grow its footprint, collaborate, and become involved with other organizations in the Athens community.

“It is incredible to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Texas Trust Gives Foundation,” said TVCC President Dr. Jason Morrison. “It is all about coming together and investing in our students, providing TVCC students with opportunities to seek and complete an education while reducing the financial strain in their lives.”

The first scholarships from the Texas Trust Gives Foundation will be awarded to TVCC students in 2024. Each year, the scholarship will be available for one undergraduate student in liberal arts and one student in the welding certificate program.

Recognizing the need for workforce programs like welding in the area, Texas Trust Gives wanted to also include a scholarship for those students choosing that career path. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 43,000 new welding jobs will be added yearly through 2029. Skilled welders are in demand in the aerospace, construction, agriculture, oil and gas, and manufacturing industries.

“Through the partnership with TVCC, we are able to support members in east Texas served through our Athens branch,” said Jim Minge, CEO of Texas Trust Credit Union. “Students in the welding program have the same need for financial assistance as other students. We hope this helps pave their way for a successful profession and encourages more skilled welders in the workforce.”

Texas Trust Gives was established in 2019 as the charitable arm of Texas Trust Credit Union, a full-service financial institution.

Texas Trust Gives Foundation’s Washima Huq (center) presents a
symbolic check for $10,000 in scholarships.
Left to right: Timothy Payne (Texas Trust Credit Union Athens branch manager);
welding instructor and TVCC Foundation board member Tom Sheram;
TVCC President Dr. Jason Morrison; Mike Hembree,
VP of the TVCC Board of Trustees and chairman of the TVCC Foundation
Board of Directors; and Kristi Hammond from Texas Trust.