The Georgia Credit Union League is pleased to announce this year’s winners of two of its most prestigious awards.

Mike Culbertson, Vice President of Branch Strategies for GEMC Federal Credit Union is the recipient of the Moses C. Davis Lifetime Achievement Award. George Reynolds, retired Senior Deputy Commissioner for the Department of Banking and Finance is being honored with the Eloise Woods Distinguished Service Award.

The Moses C. Davis Lifetime Achievement Award honors a Georgia credit union leader whose accomplishments exemplify extraordinary leadership and commitment in the credit union industry. The award is named after the founding father of Georgia credit unions, who spent his lifetime supporting credit union efforts.

Culbertson has devoted more than 40 years to the credit union movement as an active member of the advocacy and business efforts in three states – Kansas, Ohio and Georgia. He started his credit union career as branch manager of an education-based credit union where he learned the credit union difference.

During his first tenure with the Kansas League Culbertson ran the credit-union-owned bank that enabled credit unions in Kansas to offer “share draft” accounts – well before legislation was enacted enabling credit unions to offer checking accounts to members directly. As time progressed, Culbertson worked in all facets of the credit union system with the Ohio League, where he honed his lobbying skills – and the business side – where he also worked for the Corporate Credit Union. After returning to the Kansas League as their CEO, Culbertson was able to help Kansas credit unions embrace the opportunities of shared branching by joining the CUSC network. In order to help credit unions combine credit union service with new technology, Culbertson accepted the role of CEO at CUSC.

“Mike’s love of the credit union movement and technology has put him in a unique position to not only advocate on behalf of credit unions, but to help build technological opportunities for credit unions in their service to their members,” said Mike Mercer, President and CEO of Georgia Credit Union Affiliates. “Mike has worked hard to help build and support lasting opportunities for cooperative finance.”   

After his tenure with CUSC, Culbertson joined the Georgia Credit Union Affiliates as Chief Advocacy Officer.  He was active in representing Georgia credit unions to legislators, community groups and others; and made significant impact in his efforts to help push the credit union legislative agenda at the Statehouse.

Culbertson has been in the role of Vice President of Branch Strategies for GEMC Federal Credit Union since May 2014.

The Eloise Woods Distinguished Service Award honors a credit union professional who has worked to advance cooperative finance for the benefit of Georgia citizens. Reynolds worked for the department of Banking and Finance for 34 years as an examiner, district director, deputy commissioner for supervision, and as senior deputy commissioner. The department oversees regulation of state chartered credit unions, banks and holding companies, mortgage brokers and lenders, and other money-service businesses located in Georgia.

Reynolds was an active member of the National Association of State Credit Union Supervisors (NASCUS), was an active participant in the NASCUS Accreditation Program and a strong advocate for the dual chartering system. During his time with NASCUS, Reynolds rose through the leadership ranks to the position of chairman.  He championed many credit union initiatives including supplemental capital for credit unions and protection for state chartered credit unions against federal preemption. He has testified on behalf of credit unions in front of Congress numerous times and he works as a speaker and consultant with various financial institutions.  

“The board is proud to recognize the support George has given to the state credit union system,” Mercer said. “Throughout his tenure, George was always one to look for growth opportunities for the credit unions system, while keeping in mind the need for safety and soundness. When we passed a modernization of the State’s Credit Union Act, George helped ensure that the governing rules provided a framework for credit unions to best serve their members.”

While on the NASCUS board as chair, Reynolds was instrumental in the development of the first regional multistate compact agreement that allows state chartered credit unions to branch across state lines.  He joined the Supervisory Committee of DOCO Credit Union in 2013.