DULUTH, Ga.—The Georgia Credit Union League has named two people as winners of its most prestigious honors: Marshall Boutwell, CEO of Peach State FCU, has been named the recipient of the Moses C. Davis Lifetime Achievement Award, while Diana Houston, senior vice president-business development at Georgia Credit Union Affiliates, has been named the winner of the Eloise Woods Distinguished Service Award.
“Boutwell has devoted a meaningful part of his career to cooperative finance, and has been at the helm of Peach State FCU for more than 20 years,” the league said in statement. “Among other things, he has served on Georgia’s Credit Union Political Action Committee Board of Trustees, Cooperative Services, Inc. Board of Directors, the Georgia Credit Union League Board of Directors, SWIRL Board of Directors, Georgia Credit Union Affiliates Board of Directors, CU Images Board of Directors, PCSimages Board of Managers, Getting Ahead Association Board of Directors and several committees.
He has served as chairman for most of these organizations at one time or another.
“As a former banker, Marshall has a deep appreciation for the benefits of the cooperative business model,” said Mike Mercer, president and CEO of Georgia CU Affiliates. “He cares greatly for people and has been willing to do the work involved to make a lasting difference.”
Houston, who has worked with the credit union system for more than 30 years, is being recognized for her contributions to Georgia credit unions and the members they serve.
“Diana does not lead from the ‘front of the line’. She leads with ideas and meaningful consultative support. Her contributions have come in the form of financial benefits and creative advice to Georgia credit unions that now span decades of service,” Mercer said.
Houston has been in Georgia since 1984 and been instrumental in negotiating group contracts on behalf of the state’s credit unions, especially regarding ATM and EFT network support services and credit card support, the GCUA said. “She has helped develop public messaging including social media and award-winning marketing campaigns. She is also directly involved with government affairs and developing advocacy related messaging for legislators and credit unions. She has represented Georgia credit unions in several key roles at the national and regional level, including League InfoSight, CU Partner Link, CUNA’s payments committee, CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Committee and Hike-the-Hill legislative events.”
“The credit union movement, not just in Georgia but nationally and even internationally, has benefitted greatly from the contributions of Marshall Boutwell and Diana Houston,” said Stacy Tallent, Board Chair of the Georgia Credit Union League. “They have devoted their professional lives to strengthening the credit union system and have made indelible marks on our industry. I am honored to call each of them a long-time friend and I know that those of us working in Georgia credit unions are very fortunate to have them as colleagues.”