Sheilah Montgomery has been in the Credit Union Movement for over 33 years. Since 1990, she has served as the President/CEO of 1st Choice Credit Union (current assets approximately $18 million). During her tenure, Mrs. Montgomery has introduced many new loans and deposit account programs and implemented numerous operational and growth procedures.

Mrs. Montgomery is dedicated to serving the membership of 1st Choice Credit Union and the community. 1st Choice Credit Union was the only credit union in Georgia to receive grant funds for home counseling from the National Credit Union Foundation. Mrs. Montgomery’s commitment to the community fostered the home counseling program, now designated as the only HUD intermediary agent for credit unions in Georgia.

For the last 5 years, 1st Choice Credit Union has received the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award in the State of Georgia, placing first during each of those years. This is the highest credit union community service award given to credit unions.

As board chair of the Atlanta Cooperative Development Corporation, Mrs. Montgomery helped raise matching funds for the 1 million dollar grant given to support the Individual Development Accounts 1 million dollar grant (IDA) program.

Mrs. Montgomery is a founding member of the African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUA), a national non-profit organization. In 1995, she organized the first meeting of African-American professionals in Washington D.C. and was elected the first president of that organization. Her vision was to create an organization that would bring the African-American perspective to the credit union movement.

A key milestone for the AACUC occurred when the credit union movement contributed to the MLK Build a Dream Foundation. Over 1.2 million dollars was raised by over 150 credit unions and donated to the monument. 1st Choice Credit Union was the first credit union in Georgia to make a contribution. Mrs. Montgomery spearheaded the effort by Georgia credit unions that resulted in a collective contribution of over $66,000.

She has been a mentor for many credit unions, assisting new CEOs, boards, and staff in the execution of their duties and responsibilities to members. She is especially proud of hosting summer interns from historically black colleges and universities to help them experience credit union opportunities.

During the Katrina relief effort, Mrs. Montgomery and the African-American Credit Union Coalition were instrumental in restoring hope and credibility by mentoring other credit unions. This was accomplished by assisting them to find operating locations and providing on-site guidance concerning restoration of member services. Atlanta's 1st Choice Credit Union can be reached at (404) 832-5800.