Tina M. Sbrega, President & CEO Inducted into the CCUA's Awards of Excellence - Hall of Fame for Overall Career Achievements
GFA Federal Credit Union is proud to announce that Tina M. Sbrega, President & CEO was recently inducted into the CCUA’s Hall of Fame for her overall career achievements.
Sbrega was recognized for her devotion to the credit union movement, making significant impact with her inspirational leadership, bold decision-making and her commitment to delivering exemplary service to the members and communities GFA Federal Credit Union serves.
“If you dream it and believe it, then you can do it. But don't expect that it will all be handed to you and be ready to make some sacrifices along the way.” – Tina M. Sbrega, President & CEO.
The Gardner Franco American Federal Credit Union was founded in 1938 by 20 members — with only $755 in assets — to meet the banking needs of French Canadians who had come to Gardner to work in the furniture industry. Today, 82 years later, GFA’s President & CEO, Tina M. Sbrega is still focused on the mission to improve the quality of life for those communities we serve.
Tina was appointed President & CEO in 2009, under her leadership GFA has increased our number of branch locations from 7 to 10, and more than doubled our asset size to $590 million.
2020 marks the celebration of forty years at GFA Federal Credit Union for Tina M. Sbrega. A lot has changed at GFA, and in the financial industry in the past forty years. However, year after year you will find Tina’s accomplishments highlighted whether it be for her service to the community, her expertise within the financial industry or her desire to be innovative.
Let’s begin with Tina’s commitment to the communities she serves. Tina served as the trustee and past chair for Mount Wachusett Community College, and she continues to serve as trustee for Heywood Healthcare. Tina is a current Director for COCC (Connecticut Online Computer Center) and a past Director for the MA Credit Union League, House of Peace & Education, MSIC ( Massachusetts Share Insurance Company), The Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce, Gardner Area Mental Health, Massachusetts Credit Union League, and Oak Hill Country Club. She was a member of the Board of Higher Education and served as Chair of the Mass Community College Trustee Association.
Tina is a Co-Founder of the Women’s Circle of Giving, established in 2014 to bring together the resources of women to support efforts to improve the lives of women, children, and families in the Greater Gardner community. WCG, which has 150 members, has donated over $120,000.00 in its first five years. Her commitment runs deep, under her leadership GFA ran community campaigns such as Buy Greater Gardner Now to assist with the aftermath of the 2008 economic downturn as well as a community giving program called People Helping People.
“Because it’s never been done before is no reason to ignore the possibilities” – Tina M. Sbrega, President & CEO.
Under Tina’s leadership GFA Federal Credit Union had a few of its own “firsts” – GFA became the first Credit Union in the nation to purchase a stock owned bank, Monadnock Community Bank which is known today as GFA’s Peterborough branch location. Tina partnered with David Brown, the Founder of CU Auto Advisors to be the first Credit Union to offer a hassle-free car buying service to our members.
And more recently, GFA was the first financial institution in MA to provide banking services to the cannabis industry.
Tina’s leadership does not go unrecognized by her team nor the community. Please see the extensive list of well-deserved awards Tina has acquired:
- MWCC Service Above Self
- Citizen of the Year
- Wings of HOPE
- Worcester Business Journal Outstanding Women in Business Award
- MVOC Ally Award
- Heywood Healthcare Community Leader Award
- Worcester Business Journal Top 50 Power Players
- Worcester Business Journal Innovator of the Year
The list of accomplishments for Tina is extensive, her tenure, experience, devotion and growth within GFA and the community earns her a well-deserved induction in the CCUA’s Awards of Excellence – Hall of Fame.