Three Re-elected to GFA's Board of Directors
The Annual Meeting of GFA Federal Credit Union was held on April 26th in the Community Room at 229 Parker Street. Directors, members, officials, and employees shared in the Credit Union’s successes of 2022, along with the strategies that will continue GFA’s member-focused advancements and vision for the years to come.
At the 2023 Annual Meeting, three individuals were re-elected to the Board of Directors to serve additional three-year terms, the re-elected Directors include:
Charles P. Bowles: Mr. Bowles is the retired President & CEO of GFA Federal Credit Union, having held that position from 1984 to 2008. Mr. Bowles has served as a member of the GFA Board of Directors since 1988. He is a graduate of Western New England University, having earned a BBA and completed graduate studies at WPI. Mr. Bowles is an active member of the Greater Gardner community, having served on numerous boards, including MWCC Board of Trustees, MWCC Foundation, and the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce where he also served as Chair. Mr. Bowles also served as a member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of EasCorp Corporate Credit Union. Mr. Bowles was recognized by the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce as Citizen of the Year in 1995 and recognized in 2004 as MWCC’s Citizen of the Year. He resides in Rindge, NH.
Douglas R. Delay: Mr. Delay is the retired Purchasing Manager of Latrobe Specialty Steel Distribution, a division of Carpenter Technology Corporation. He was elected to the GFA’s Supervisory Committee in 1988 and served on that committee until 2003 when he was elected to the Board of Directors. In early 2022 Delay was elected to the role of Chief Governance Officer of the Board of Directors. Mr. Delay has over 40 years of experience in the field of business management. He is a graduate of Nichols College with a degree in Economics and resides in Winchendon, MA.
Mark Hawke: Mr. Hawke serves as the Gardner School District’s Director of Finance and Operations. He previously served as the Westminster Town Administrator, and the Mayor of the City of Gardner for just over twelve (12) years. He was elected to the GFA’s Supervisory Committee in 2009 and served on that committee until 2012, when he was elected to the Board of Directors. In early 2022, Hawke was elected to the role of Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors. Mr. Hawke is a graduate of UMass Amherst with a degree in Political Science and Anna Maria College with a Master’s in Business Administration. Mr. Hawke has also served on the Board of Directors of Gardner Square Two, Inc., Board of Incorporators at Heywood Hospital Board of Trustees of Mount Wachusett Community College and coaches multiple youth sports including hockey, soccer, and basketball in the area.
“GFA Federal Credit Union is proud to have these individuals volunteer their time to serve as members of our Board of Directors, said Mark J. Hettinger, President and Chief Executive Officer, we thank our Board for their focus on the evolving needs of our members. Together, we look forward to finding new ways to help our members reach their financial goals.”
The candidates were recommended by the Nominating Committee and elected by the Membership. The nominating committee has the task to nominate the best candidates to serve as representatives on the Board of Directors. The elected board members have the business acumen, knowledge of and commitment to GFA’s core values. GFA’s Board of Directors serve as representatives of the general Membership. Being elected by the Membership, Directors ensure that governance is practiced in the best interest of GFA’s Member-Owners.