DULUTH, Ga. – Lockheed Georgia Employees' Federal Credit Union President/CEO Edwin J. Collins, has recently been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his efforts in advancing the credit union movement. The Lifetime Achievement honor is bestowed by the board of Georgia Credit Union Affiliates to individuals who have dedicated themselves to improving the credit union movement by instilling the credit union philosophy of "People Helping People." Collins is the 16th recipient of the prestigious honor. Collins began his career in 1964 working in various positions for NCUA. In 1984, Collins joined Lockheed Georgia Employees' Federal Credit Union as vice president/chief financial officer; he was promoted to his current position in 1995. He has also served as the chairman of Cooperative Service Inc., a statewide CUSO that processes 90% percent of all share draft clearings for credit unions of Georgia. Collins was appointed to the Filene Research Institute's Research Council and serves on the CUNA Governmental Affairs Committee, the Renaissance Committee and the Communications and Information Committee of NAFCU. Collins has additionally served as chairman of SWIRL, LLC, a limited partnership that owns four service centers in the state of Georgia.

According to Mike Mercer, president/CEO of Georgia Credit Union Affiliates, "Beyond just being on the job, recipients must evidence leadership and inspiration among their peers. They are willing to take stands on important issues and usually devote themselves to the pursuit of consensus and cooperation. Ed is clearly deserving of this honor."