Submitted Photo Pictured are Jerry & Jack Felton of Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union.

Jerry Felton, the former CEO of Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, retires after 53 years of service. Little did she realize her passion and drive would make a lasting impression on over 17,000 people and will continue for years to come.

Jerry Felton grew up in Sinclairville, graduating from Cassadaga High School in 1953. She went on to pursue her education and graduated from Brockport University in 1957 and right after college obtained a teaching job at Falconer Central School. A short time later, Jerry would only teach part-time, but helped her husband, Jack, with bookkeeping for the Southwestern Credit Union. Jack Felton started as a member of the board of directors for the credit union in 1962.

Jerry wasn’t happy about going part time as she loved teaching, but in 1966, she would find herself starting at the credit union with a box of records, a ledger posting board and a manual adding machine. For 20 years everything was hand posted, dividends and interest on loans were all calculated by hand. There were not office hours, Jerry did what she needed to do for the people she served. She recalls even going to homes with Jack and delivering loans late in the evening. “If that is what the members needed, we did it,” said Jerry. The work done was all done out of Felton’s home “office” and there was 200 members when Jerry started.

Jerry had a personal drive for success and a knack for figuring things out. She always took initiative and learned the things she needed to by “digging in” and attending Jamestown District trainings as much as needed. She loved to learn, she loved to grow.

In 1976 the board of directors approved an electric adding machine and in 1986 the credit union started the process of converting all records to computer systems. They had to keep double records for six months and this was considered a very stressful time. Jack retired in 1985. Jerry partnered with Bev Lingenfelter, who, at the time, was the manager for the Southwestern Area Federal Credit Union. Bev would become a key part of the successes of the credit union as well.

With the duties of balancing the two credit unions and the membership growing, Bev would need help with the books. In 1987, Jerry brought her son John Felton to a council meeting where Bev met John. John was offered a part time job working between the two credit unions. In 1992 John Felton was appointed as the CEO of Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union.

In 1993, the Felton family lost the life of their beloved Jack. Even with the hole in their hearts, the Feltons would continue.

In 1998 both credit unions relocated to 310 Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, and in 1999 they merged to become Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union. All employees at both locations kept their jobs and the boards merged into one.

“Every year has brought more branches, more employees, more members and more services.” states Jerry. “I truly enjoyed every day I was working.” In 2007, Jerry Felton was inducted into the NYS Credit Union Hall of Fame for her lifelong commitment to the credit union movement.

Today, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union has five branches across Chautauqua County to include three high school branches, of which Southwestern High School was the first one opened. These branches allow young adults to gain exposure and experience to real life personal banking which will prepare them for future banking success.

Jerry Felton is also a former officer of the Jamestown District Council of the NYS Credit Union League, is an active volunteer member of her church’s investment committee, serves as a member of the Supervisory Committee of the Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union.