GRACE HELMS
Hephzibah,GA
Summary
Experienced credit union executive with a diverse leadership background. Proficient in formulating strategic plans to improve profitability and the overall management of credit union operations. Skilled in cultivating and nurturing relationships built on trust and rapport. Excellent problem-solving skills and proven record of positive performance under pressure. Dedicated to expanding awareness of credit unions and their vast benefits to financial service consumers of all ages.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
3
3
Certifications
Work History
AVP, Community Development
SRP Federal Credit Union
03.2018 - Current
- Leadership and oversight of Community Development & Marketing teams, including all aspects of personnel management
- Oversee the development and implementation of high-impact financial literacy programs to be offered to SRP members as well as schools, area employers and community groups
- Cultivate and strengthen strategic relationships with educators/schools located within SRP’s Field of Membership
- Implement Affinity Debit Card program with partner high schools
- Engage and motivate SRP employees to participate in community involvement initiatives
- Regularly make recommendations for philanthropic investments
- Represent SRP through participation in community events
- Oversight of the development and execution of marketing campaigns that align with SRP’s strategic initiatives and result in brand awareness, membership growth, engagement and deepening of wallet share
- Understanding of the local community’s perception of the SRP brand, shifting marketing strategies, as needed, to respond proactively to evolving community needs
- Collaboration with both internal and external partners to ensure consistent marketing and branding across all delivery channels
- Oversight of design updates for all marketing collateral pieces to create visually appealing and comprehensive layouts
- Development and implementation of business plan and budget for both departments
SVP, Community Relations/Regional Business Exec.
Peach State Federal Credit Union
06.2015 - 03.2018
- Establish and cultivate relationships with prospective and current SEGs
- Increase local awareness of brand
- Create growth strategies to increase membership
- Facilitate financial literacy classes for regional schools
- Participate in community outreach activities
- Develop relationships with potential merger partners and guide them through the process. Serve in interim executive leadership capacity until merger finalization
President / Chief Executive Officer
Richmond Community Federal Credit Union
04.2009 - 05.2015
- Managed overall daily operations and staff, including staff development
- Developed/implemented strategic plans, budgets, net income plans, policies and procedures
- Board meeting and sub-committee meeting planning/facilitation, including preparation of meeting packets
- Preparation and presentment of Annual Report to membership
- New project planning and implementation, including cost/benefit analyses
- Maintained community relationships
- Responsible for interactions with and responses to NCUA examiners, CPAs and other auditors as required
- Preparation and transmission of NCUA 5300 Call Report
- Annual FR 2910a reporting and Annual Tangible Personal Property Tax Return
- All aspects of HR including, payroll processing, performance evaluations, compensation/benefit reviews/adjustments and staff meeting facilitation
- Maintained vendor relationships, vendor due-diligence and contract review
- Reviewed and approved payment of all Accounts Payable items
- Analyzed daily data change reports and performed audits as necessary
- Reviewed/approved close-out processing at month, quarter and year-end intervals
- Corporate wide equipment management, design, purchase, installation and troubleshooting of computer hardware
Director of Administration
Richmond Community Federal Credit Union
07.2006 - 04.2009
- Maintained records and databases of required compliance data for personnel
- Human resources, benefits management and payroll processing
- Assisted in the development of training documents and provided presentations
- Oversight of Lending, Collection, Accounting, Data Processing, Information Technology and Marketing departments
- Functioned as a Loan Officer and Member Service Representative
- Prepared monthly reports and packets for Board of Director meetings
- Administered all new installations for hardware and software systems
- Performed close-out processing at month, quarter and year-end intervals
Collections Specialist/Loan Officer
Richmond Community Federal Credit Union
03.2003 - 06.2006
- Processed delinquent accounts, bankruptcies, repossessions, skip-tracing, filing of judgments and garnishments
- Processed charge-off loans and share/share draft accounts
- Reconciled general ledger accounts
- Processed and approved loans
- General member service duties
Collections Specialist
Augusta Metro Federal Credit Union
03.1999 - 03.2003
- Processed delinquent accounts, bankruptcies, foreclosures, repossessions, skip-tracing, filing of judgments and garnishments
- Resolved negative share/share draft accounts, reconciled general ledger accounts
Member Service Representative
Augusta Metro Federal Credit Union
03.1998 - 02.1999
- General member service duties
- Processed loans, titles, UCC documents and paid loans
- Filed life and disability claims
Teller
Augusta Metro Federal Credit Union
07.1997 - 02.1998
- Processed daily teller transactions
- Responsible for accurate flow of cash and daily balancing
- Obtained experience in SEG payroll balancing, distributions and general member service duties
Education
Certified Credit Union Marketing Executive - Marketing Management
Credit Union National Association (CUNA)
09.2025
Certified Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) -
National Credit Union Foundation
Madison, WI05.2019
Certification - Credit Union Management
Southeastern Regional Credit Union School (SRCUS)
University Of Georgia, Athens, GA06.2009
Augusta State University
Augusta, GA1997
College Preparatory/Vocational Diploma -
Hephzibah Comprehensive High School
Hephzibah, GA1996
Skills
Community Development
Marketing Management
Relationship Management
Team Leadership
Administrative Management
Human Resources Management
Operations Management
Strategic Planning
Budgeting
Consumer Lending
Recovery
Credit Union Accounting
Certification
Graduate, Leadership Columbia County, 2022
Participant, CSRA Area Chamber Leadership Hill Hike, 2021
Graduate, Leadership Augusta, 2020
Graduate, Leadership SRP, 2018
Participant, CUNA GAC, 2016
Participant, GCUA Hike the Hill, 2009
Recipient, Outstanding Progress in STAR & MERIT Certifications, 1999
Regional Advisory Board Member, Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia
Member, Augusta Metro, Columbia County, North Augusta and Aiken Chamber of Commerce
Member, Augusta Metro Chamber Business Education Advisory Council
Chair, Augusta Metro Chamber Workplace Learning Committee
Previous Chair, Augusta Metro Chamber Students2Work Soft Skills Committee
Panel Volunteer, CSRA Community Foundation
Volunteer, Communities In Schools Reading Program
Timeline
AVP, Community Development
SRP Federal Credit Union
03.2018 - Current
SVP, Community Relations/Regional Business Exec.
Peach State Federal Credit Union
06.2015 - 03.2018
President / Chief Executive Officer
Richmond Community Federal Credit Union
04.2009 - 05.2015
Director of Administration
Richmond Community Federal Credit Union
07.2006 - 04.2009
Collections Specialist/Loan Officer
Richmond Community Federal Credit Union
03.2003 - 06.2006
Collections Specialist
Augusta Metro Federal Credit Union
03.1999 - 03.2003
Member Service Representative
Augusta Metro Federal Credit Union
03.1998 - 02.1999
Teller
Augusta Metro Federal Credit Union
07.1997 - 02.1998
Certified Credit Union Marketing Executive - Marketing Management
Credit Union National Association (CUNA)
Certified Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) -
National Credit Union Foundation
Certification - Credit Union Management
Southeastern Regional Credit Union School (SRCUS)
Augusta State University
College Preparatory/Vocational Diploma -
Hephzibah Comprehensive High School
Graduate, Leadership Columbia County, 2022
Participant, CSRA Area Chamber Leadership Hill Hike, 2021
Graduate, Leadership Augusta, 2020
Graduate, Leadership SRP, 2018
Participant, CUNA GAC, 2016
Participant, GCUA Hike the Hill, 2009
Recipient, Outstanding Progress in STAR & MERIT Certifications, 1999
Regional Advisory Board Member, Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia
Member, Augusta Metro, Columbia County, North Augusta and Aiken Chamber of Commerce
Member, Augusta Metro Chamber Business Education Advisory Council
Chair, Augusta Metro Chamber Workplace Learning Committee
Previous Chair, Augusta Metro Chamber Students2Work Soft Skills Committee
Panel Volunteer, CSRA Community Foundation
Volunteer, Communities In Schools Reading Program
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