2024 Annual Meeting Celebrates Credit Union’s 50th Anniversary with a Special Citation Presented by Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver
4/28/2025
(L-R) Tracy Shirk, Chairperson, Service 1st Board of Directors; Barbara Criswell, Founding Member and Director Emeritus, Service 1st Board of Directors;
Mike Thomas, President/CEO, Service 1st and Pennsylvania Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver.
“Wow—50 years! What an incredible journey it’s been for Service 1st Federal Credit Union!” said Mike Thomas, President/CEO, Service 1st, as he welcomed members to the event. “Back in 1975, a small but mighty group of Geisinger employees had a vision—to create a financial institution that put people first…. Their contributions will always be remembered. Their dedication laid the foundation for what has grown into the thriving credit union we are today.”
During the meeting, highlights from the past year were shared, as well as awards bestowed on the credit union. Senator Culver then presented Tracy Shirk, Chairperson, Service 1st Board of Directors and Mike Thomas with a special citation for their continued community support and focus on financial education over the past 50 years.
As stated, the Citation shares, “Chartered on August 25, 1975, by Barbara Criswell and a group of Geisinger Medical Center employees as the Geisinger Employees Federal Credit Union, the Service 1st Federal Credit Union was initially operated by a group of volunteers who worked to spread the word about the credit union movement among their peers. They opened accounts from a table in Geisinger Medical Center's cafeteria before moving to a cottage on the hospital grounds. Presently operating under the expert guidance of President and Chief Executive Officer Mike Thomas, the Service 1st Federal Credit Union has more than forty-six thousand members. It strives to provide a lifetime of financial services that meet its clients’ changing needs and to foster a relationship of trust, dignity, and respect. The Service 1st Federal Credit Union has developed a strong reputation for the highest quality of service throughout its history. By steady adherence to the principles of fairness, reliability, and integrity, it has become a leader in the community and a model that is worthy of emulation. Over the years, those in leadership positions, as well as its staff and members, have contributed in a tremendous way to its growth and development.”
Newly elected board members were announced, and several volunteers and employees were honored for their years of service during the event.
Greg Burke, MD, FACP, Director; Steve Endress, Director; and Michael Fleming, Director, were re-elected, each to three-year terms on the Service 1st Board of Directors.
Following the Reorganization Meeting, officers were announced. Tracy Shirk was announced as the Chairperson, Deborah Petretich Templeton as Vice Chairperson, David Cutright as Treasurer, and Eric Polczynski as Secretary.
Other members of the Service 1st Board of Directors include Kathy Linn, Director, and Lori Wilson, Director.
Service awards representing 160 years of experience and dedication were presented to volunteers and employees.
Volunteers honored included: Greg Burke and Joseph Bleznuck, each for 10 years of service; Michael Kowalick for 15 years of service and Harold Hurst for 25 years of service.
Employees honored for five years of service included: Alexandra Baney, Assistant Market Manager, Bloomsburg; Audrey Bock, Financial Services Specialist I, Sunbury; Michael Howe, Facilities & Maintenance Specialist; Amanda Lagan, Indirect Lending Manager; Lauren Maurer, Collections Representative; Regina Royer, Member Service Representative II, Mifflinburg; Steve Butkie, Member Service Representative, Elysburg; and Sara DeVinney, Assistant Market Manager, Muncy.
Employees honored for 10 years of service included: Colleen Phillips, Vice President Marketing; Sarah Schiro, Marketing Manager; and Mark Zimmerman, Audit & Compliance Specialist.
Suzette Sands, Administrative Assistant to the CEO, was honored for 30 years of service.
For more information, call our Contact Center at 800.562.6049
