MATOON, Ill. – John and Jo Swick, both 25 at the time, took over as president and vice president of Area Educational CU in 1965–six months after they were married–and now they plan to retire together.
At the time they took over the four-year-old credit union both were teachers; John was a math instructor at Matoon High School and Jo taught third grade at Columbia Elementary School.
Despite building the fledgling credit union from 150 members and $100,000 in assets, to 3,000 members and more than $18 million in assets, the Swicks, both now 67, remained in education for most of their credit union careers.
John Swick was dean of students and assistant principal at Matoon High School before becoming principal at Matoon Junior High School and Jo Swick worked at Matoon Area Adult Education Center and at the Regional Office in Charleston. Both retired from education in 1994.
Longtime credit union employee Kerry Fearn will become president and CEO upon the Swicks’ retirement.
