DULUTH, Ga.— Georgia United Credit Union announced that CEO Debbie Smith will retire at the end of December.
Laura King, currently serving as the CU’s president, will succeed Smith as president and CEO upon her retirement.
Since assuming the CEO role in 2013, Smith has guided Georgia United through a period of exceptional growth, expanding the credit union’s assets from $950 million to over $2 billion.
In March 2025, Smith was recognized nationally for her contributions when she received the Inman Servant Leadership Award from America’s Credit Unions.
“Debbie Smith has been at the helm of Georgia United’s success for more than a decade,” said Tom Dickson, chair of the board of directors. “Her dedication to serving our members and communities has strengthened Georgia United in every way. Debbie’s legacy is not just in the numbers—it’s in the lives she’s touched and the mission she has advanced.”
The CU said King brings a distinguished track record of leadership, having held senior executive roles at several of the largest credit unions in Georgia. She joined Georgia United in April 2021 and was promoted to president in July 2023, where she has since been instrumental in shaping the organization’s strategic and operational direction, deepening member engagement and positioning the credit union for continued growth.
Smith and King will work closely over the next few months to ensure a smooth and thoughtful leadership transition, the organization stated.