To: SECU Board of Directors and CEO
From: Jo Ramsay Leimenstoll, AIA, Professor Emerita, UNCG
I have been a proud member of the SECU since my first job with state government in the mid-seventies. I totally support and appreciate the values SECU has always stood for. In 1985, my husband and I (both architects) purchased an older commercial building to adapt as our residence and to play a role in downtown Greensboro’s revitalization. We succeeded in getting the building spot rezoned as residential (before mixed use was the norm) but we found absolutely none of the banks in town were willing to provide us with a mortgage —typically citing the riskiness of being urban pioneers. Fortunately, SECU chose to consider our outside-the-box situation and financed our first mortgage. Nearly 40 years later, we are SO proud to be a part of a thriving, walkable downtown culture. We have told the story of our first mortgage many times over the years and applauded the willingness of SECU to go above and beyond in meeting the needs of its members.
I urge the SECU Board of Directors to embrace the longstanding values espoused by the SECU. Do the Right Thing. Don’t morph into a bank, rather continue to build upon the incredibly successful and meaningful record of accomplishments SECU has played for so many of us members as a credit union that is second to none.
