Elvia Williams becomes institution’s first African-American chairperson
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 25, 2018 – The Board of Directors of Community First Credit Union, a state-chartered community credit union open to anyone who lives or works on the First Coast, has elected a new board chair. Elvia S. Williams has been appointed to serve a four-year term effective immediately. She succeeds William Permenter, whose four-year term concluded in March. Williams becomes the first African-American to chair the board.
Community First Credit Union's Board of Directors is made up of nine elected volunteers responsible for establishing policies that are implemented by management and staff.
Elvia Williams currently serves as communications coordinator at JEA. She has held several communications and marketing positions since she joined the utility in 2000. As communications coordinator she is responsible for internal communications at JEA including managing print and online publications and information as well as maintaining the intranet. Prior to joining JEA, she worked as communications specialist in the PR and media relations department at the former Shands Jacksonville (now UF Health Jacksonville). She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in broadcasting at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.
Williams has been a member of the credit union since the mid-80s when she returned to her hometown of Jacksonville after college. Her volunteer service to the credit union began as a founding member of the credit union’s Community Advisory Committee in 2009. In 2010, she was elected to the Community First Board of Directors and subsequently served as treasurer and secretary as well as vice chair before being elected chair. During her tenure, she has also chaired the Raymond A. Vinson Scholarship Committee, the Financial Literacy Committee and the Core Values (Annual Awards) Committee. Williams also holds various leadership positions within her church and sorority. She is married to her college sweetheart, Rev. Roger L. D. Williams; they have two adult sons.
“I have a longstanding commitment of service to the community,” said Williams. “Our board members are thoughtful and hard-working. I look forward to working with the board and our CEO to help our members continue to love where they bank.”
Williams says one of her proudest moments was serving on the board in 2013 when the credit union created the Community First Cares Foundation, the only 501 (c)(3) organization administered by a credit union in Northeast Florida. The Community First Cares Foundation manages credit union and donor funds to make charitable and nonprofit contributions and partnerships to help improve life on the First Coast.
Community First Credit Union of Florida is a state-chartered credit union based in Jacksonville serving anyone who lives or works on the First Coast. Community First is one of the 10 largest credit unions in the state, serving more than 128,000 members and with assets of $1.5 billion. Community First has 18 locations and 300 employees. A not-for-profit, Community First is a full-service financial institution offering banking, loans, mortgages and investments for consumers and businesses throughout the First Coast.
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