Who We Are

Piedmont Hospital Credit Union was chartered as a state credit union on March 29, 1974. The petition for the charter was signed by Nora Brown, Jack Millgard, Dewey Moon, Janie Price and several others.

A group of employees, headed by Nora Brown, laboratory supervisor, sought counsel from the Georgia Credit Union League to start a credit union. The hospital CEO, Mr. Hulett Sumlin, and hospital administration were totally supportive. They provided space, supplies, and a manager’s salary. So with 10 charter members and with $50 deposited, the Credit Union was born.

Piedmont Hospital Credit Union was chartered as a state credit union on March 29, 1974. The petition for the charter was signed by Nora Brown, Jack Millgard, Dewey Moon, Janie Price and several others.

The first board of Directors consisted of 5 employees, Nora Brown, President, Hunter Birt, Vice-President, John Holcomb, Treasurer, Rhonda Spornberger, Secretary, and Bonnie Bennett.

Marie Wallace was hired as the Credit Union secretary. The credit union was open only two hours per day. It wasn’t until July of that first year that loans could be made. It took that long for enough funds to be deposited. The first loans were limited to $200 and chosen for approval very carefully by a loan committee, headed by Bobby Holcombe.

In 1977, Mr. Richard W. Fehler was hired as the first credit union manager. He was given the entire credit union in a cardboard box and asked to see what he could do with it. He began restructuring it and soon established a safe and sound foundation for a great credit union. He took a few thousand dollars in assets and grew it to 4 million during his tenure of 17 years.

In 1983, Shepherd Spinal Center was added to the field of membership. As a result of increased activity, Gail Queen was hired as an assistant to the manager. The credit union was a very small office consisting of two desks, a file cabinet and 2 calculators. All transactions were performed manually and posted on ledger cards. In 1985, we purchased our first computer. Hours of operation expanded and membership grew.

In 1990, we relocated to a larger room in the basement of the 1984 building, formerly the old nursing school. We were able to hire additional staff, Cathy Carder, Bridget Brace, Evelyn Fehler, and Joice Barnard, and activity increased steadily.

In 1993, we switched from a state chartered credit union to a Federal charter. Our name was changed to Piedmont Hospital Federal Credit Union. We were then allowed to open our field of membership to the physician groups and others affiliated with Piedmont Hospital. Mr. Fehler retired in 1994, and Gail Queen was named President/CEO.

Once again we outgrew our space and relocated to the 6th floor of the 1984 building. We were thrilled to get such a lovely space (with windows!). We were able to offer more services, such as cash operations, checking accounts, money orders, traveler’s checks, wire transfers and more. Our membership and transactions mushroomed! We grew 22% the first year.

In 1998, we opened our first branch, at Fayette Community Hospital with Pat Allen as branch manager. That is now a full service branch with four full time employees and the community at Piedmont Fayette loves the credit union.

In 2008, Gail Queen retired after twenty five years of service to the credit union. Cindy Owens was named President/CEO. We have fourteen full time employees between our two branches. We have grown to over $28 million in assets and over 8,000 members! We are a full service financial institution. Plans are in process once more for expansion due to the need for additional staff and increased activity.

The board and staff are dedicated to providing financial assistance, whether for savings or loan needs, in keeping with our motto of "People helping People" and "where people are worth more than money". We appreciate your trust in us and your participation in your credit union. We want to build on the solid foundation laid by Mr. Fehler, Mrs. Queen and faithful board members throughout the years.

Many thanks to Nora Brown and all the charter members for following their vision of a place where employees could safely and conveniently meet their financial needs.