[MELBOURNE, FL] [DAYTONA, FL] – Space Coast Credit Union celebrated the 30-year anniversary of Mary Simmons on Tuesday, October 29, 2007. The company hosted a traditional "Stand-Up" meeting in the morning, attended by SCCU employees and several members of Mary’s family, and then continued to celebrate with a company-wide luncheon in the afternoon. "30 years is certainly something to be noted," stated Doug Samuels, Space Coast Credit Union’s President. "We wanted to honor Mary by having a celebration for all of our staff as well as the members who use the branch where Mary has worked with them for over fifteen years."

Mary began working for the credit union in 1977, after hearing about the organization from a friend. Mary started her career as a Facility Clerk at the Merritt Island branch location. In 1985, she became a Loan Officer for the Merritt Island branch, and then proceeded to become the Assistant Branch Manager in 1989. In October of 1989, Mary then moved to a Bookkeeping position and a year later returned to the Melbourne branch as a receptionist. Mary currently works as a Member Service Specialist at the Melbourne branch.

When asked how the credit union has changed over the past 30 years, Mary cited significant improvements that now make it much easier to conduct business. Advances in technology have made the organization, in Mary’s words, “go from a small company to a mega company, all while still having the feel of a family-owned business. We’ve used technology to make members’ lives easier. We’ve been on the cutting edge, but we haven’t changed our concept of member service.”

Mary stated that technological advances have allowed the company to do things in a better, faster and more convenient way, not only for the members, but for the employees as well. Mary recalled that when she first started working for SCCU, loans sometimes took two to three days to approve, whereas today most loans take as little as ten to fifteen minutes for approval, and members are able to have their loan funds available to use the same day the loan is approved.

Many employees have had the pleasure of working with Mary and have valued their time with her. Tim Antonition, Executive Vice President of Retail Operations, stated, “I have worked with Mary for fifteen years. We worked together at the Melbourne branch when I first started. I was always amazed at the level of caring and understanding that she had while assisting our members. In fact, it was something I noticed right away and I noticed that it was something I would see every day. I knew from my very first day that our members would get the best service from Mary. That is still true today.”

Mary attributes her success to working with members to simply choosing to treat members the way she would want to be treated. She also maintains the outlook that anything can be done, one just has to discover the best way to do it. Mary said, “Every day when I wake up, it’s a new day, not a challenge. It’s my day of discovery”. Mary has the attitude that she is responsible for how the members feel while they are at the branch and how they feel when they leave. As she puts it, “It’s not how you came, it’s how you left.”

When asked what has made Mary stay with the company for over 30 years, Mary said, “I stayed because I enjoy what I’m doing and the people I work with. I had opportunities, and the time just went by.”

Susan Trask, Mary’s supervisor and Manager of the Melbourne branch, states, “Mary is the type of person who is always there for the members and her coworkers. She is the first one to help out without being asked. She loves SCCU and all the employees she works with and has worked with in the past. She brings the Melbourne branch to life every day.” Of her supervisor, Mary said, “Susan is not only my supervisor, she’s a kind, giving person. She really cares”.

Mary is a 30-year resident of Rockledge, where she resides with her husband, William. The couple moved to Rockledge when William retired from the military. Mary and William have four children, nine grandchildren, and two “grand-dogs.” She attends the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Cocoa.

About Space Coast Credit Union
Space Coast Credit Union is headquartered in Melbourne, Florida with a regional headquarters in Daytona Beach. SCCU serves over 148,000 members with assets of over $1.5 billion through a network of 30 branches and more than 60 ATMs located from Vero Beach to Palm Coast. Space Coast Credit Union is open for membership to anyone who lives or works in Brevard, Flagler, Indian River, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties. For more information call (321) 752-2222 or (800) 447-7228, or visit www.sccu.com. Corporate offices are located at 8045 N. Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32940.