SYVLVANIA, Ohio – Directions CU said its longest-serving volunteer, Joe Vance, is stepping off the board of the $500 million credit union after 50 years.
Vance was a chartering member in 1961 of what was then called Empire Reeves Employees CU and has been on the board since then. He has served as president and vice president of the board during his tenure. The Ohio CU League recognized Vance with the Blue Diamond Award for his commitment to education.
Vance and nine other employees of Empire Reeves founded the credit union by paying in 25 cents each. In the1980s the credit union began merging with others to form Empire Affiliates CU. More recently it merged with Toledo Area Community CU to form Directions CU, which now has 18 branches and more than 70,000 members.
