... Choose your future.
At the 2023 SECU Annual Meeting last year, the membership sent the 3 incumbent Board members packing. The members said "Enough!"
Last year's member-nominated, member-elected nominees featured long-term, dedicated volunteers; this year
the candidates are heavily weighted toward hands-on, in-the-trenches
experience and knowledge of the operations and purpose of SECU.
The petition drive is underway. Here are the member-nominated candidates:
Jean Blaine
Grew
up in Southport, N.C Graduated from UNC-CH and was a teacher in the
Johnston, Wake, Orange and Granville County public school systems. In
her spare time she reared 5 children and was a community activist.
Highly familiar with the purpose of SECU. Has appeared at the
Legislature, before the N.C. Credit Union Commission and at the SECU
Annual Meeting to publicly question current policies and procedures.
Enjoys her church group, book club, and fast friends. Lives in Granville County, writes her own speeches.
Susie Ford
Native
of Wilmington, educator, entrepreneur with BA and Masters from ECU.
Former 13-year SECU employee who served as branch VP in Wilson, High
Point and Williamston. Created and led the SECU Member Education
department at SECU, before leaving to own and operate multiple Sylvan
Learning centers in eastern N.C. Has advocated for SECU before the
Legislature, CU Commission and at the Annual Meeting. Active in her
church, married with adult children, lives in Cary, N.C. Her grandfather held SECU account #7 out of 2.8 million members! Also writes her own speeches.
Julian Hawes
Brought
up in Warsaw, N.C., man of his word, suffers from a rural N.C. work
ethic. Graduated from N.C.State, as an ardent Wolfpack loyalist. Retired
after a 30+ year career at SECU, serving as the SVP for eastern N.C. in
Goldsboro. SECU's premier lender and loan officer mentor. About
lending: "Listen first, decide second; put yourself in the other
fellow's shoes; and, the best collateral for a loan is the borrower's
character." Expert in finance, but understands the member-value of the $500
salary advance loan program, which he created. Married, now lives in
the Winston-Salem area. Still knows how to "prime" tobacco.
Kirby Parrish
Born
in Raleigh and hasn't strayed far. Educated in the Wake County Public
Schools and a graduate of NCSU. Veteran employee of SECU, now retired.
Led offices in Garner and Raleigh as an SVP. Instrumental in developing the member investment and financial advisory services at the credit union.
Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Member Loan Review Committee
Advocate - "Members need to be heard"! Always trusted, top choice of
SECU employees to represent their interests on internal committees.
5k runner, follows the 'Canes, likes touring North Carolina vineyards and been known to taste a bourbon flight. Married with dogs, lives in Johnston County.
... looks like we've reached the proverbial fork! 