#eCOmmunity July 2022

ēCO Credit Union has a strong commitment to the communities where our members live, work, and play. We are excited to continue the #eCOmmunity program in 2022. We are proud to recognize those who go above and beyond for their community through the #eCOmmunity initiative.

Each month, members of the community who embody the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People” are nominated by ēCO employees to be “Credit Unioned.”

Trisha Bowman, Clay Branch Manager, and Courtney McDowell, Clay Assistant Branch Manager, nominated Clay Burton, Christopher Clay Gordon, Valinda Kent, and Mary Hodo, the team from the Alfa Insurance agency next door, to be “Credit Unioned” for July. Trisha said, “we just love our neighbors over at Alfa! They are always so kind, not only to our members and us but to their customers and people in the community. They strive to provide the best service and truly want to help those in the community.”

Clay Burton was out of the office when the team from ēCO’s Clay Branch “Credit Unioned” their Alfa neighbors. Clay is an Insurance Agent that has lived in the Birmingham area his whole life. He serves the Birmingham area and Center Point, Clay, Pinson, Trussville, Irondale, Chelsea, and Argo communities.

Christopher Clay Gordon is an Insurance Agent, and after graduating from the University of Alabama and beginning his career in the finance industry, his career path led him to pursue an opportunity at Alfa. He has been with Alfa for going on thirteen years and says he has enjoyed getting to know people and helping them as they discover the needs they might have for unexpected life situations. Christopher and his wife, Melissa, are proud parents to an 8-year-old daughter.

Valinda Kent is a Sales Specialist for Alfa and has worked in insurance for several years, spending 20 years at the current Alfa location in Clay. Valinda and her husband have two children and a granddaughter.

Mary Hodo is a Sales Specialist for Alfa and is getting ready to celebrate her 10th anniversary working with the insurance agency. Mary and her husband were high school sweethearts and have been happily married for 32 years.

The Clay Branch staff said they can always count on their Alfa neighbors to be there for them in any situation. “I nominated our friends and neighbors at the Alfa agency to be ‘Credit Unioned’ because I know they work hard to ensure that those in our community are prepared and protected when unexpected events happen,” said Trisha. “Not only do they go above and beyond to provide excellent customer service, but they intentionally seek out opportunities to support and serve the community as well. We appreciate their constant support of our fundraisers and events, and we are so thankful for the friendships we have cultivated with each of them. Their desire to support and make a difference in our community is the definition of the credit union philosophy of ‘People Helping People’.”

ēCO Credit Union Clay Branch Manager Trisha Bowman, and Assistant Branch Manager, Courtney McDowell, were proud to surprise the team at the Alfa Insurance Agency on Tuesday, July 2, with gift bags that included a VISA gift card for each person to treat themselves to lunch.

“This means an awful lot,” said Christopher Gordon. “I know that the relationships that myself, the ladies here at the office, and Clay have for Trisha, Courtney, and all of the other ladies that work at the Clay Branch over the years have just matured and evolved in a wonderful way. They have helped us and sent people our way, and we have tried to do the same; that relationship means the world to us. They continue to find ways to give to us, and we have been very fortunate to have such great neighbors. This surprise has made us feel so special, and thank you for sharing that love.”

“I am so excited, and everybody loves recognition, and I really don’t know what to say. Thank you so much! It is just very much an honor. Every time I have ever walked into the Clay Branch, each person there has always been so great to help. The branch has such a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with smiles and laughter. It is always such a pleasure to go in there to visit or do transactions,” said Mary Hodo.

“It just thrills us to have this surprise,” said Valinda Kent. “We have always felt like they are an extension of us and a family over there. If we needed something, we have always known we could rely on them; if they needed something, they could rely on us. In essence, we have just been there for each other. I really appreciate the recognition! We are really going to miss having the team over at ēCO being our neighbors; maybe someday we will all be back together.”

ēCO Credit Union is grateful for the opportunity to cultivate relationships with other businesses and organizations in the communities that we serve that prioritize the same values of commitment, service, support, and enrichment of our communities. Thank you to Clay Burton, Christopher Clay Gordon, Valinda Kent, and Mary Hodo for your service to the community and for being an example of what it means to be a good neighbor and friend to those around you.