MIAMI – Considered one of the movement's early pioneers, Hubert Sibley, 85, the former president/CEO of South Florida Educational Federal Credit Union, died on Jan. 14. Sibley died of complications from a stroke he had suffered nearly a year and a half ago. Sibley was considered a legend within the Miami-Dade County School System here, having served as the president/CEO of the $604 million credit union for more than 50 years. He retired on Jan. 7, 2004. During his five-decade tenure, the credit union went through a few name changes; membership grew from 2,000 to 47,000; and assets passed the $550 million mark. Sibley was also responsible for a physical fitness program that awarded credit union employees with cash prizes and vacations if they reached certain goals. He also launched a scholarship program that pays for 15 students to attend Florida colleges through the Florida Prepaid College Program. The Atlanta native started his credit union career as an examiner for NCUA visiting more than 100 credit unions each year. Sibley also played a very significant role in the establishment and early success of NAFCU and was the association's principal organizer in the East. His recruitment efforts in Florida were instrumental in the initial extension of NAFCU's membership beyond California, which was then the association's stronghold. In 1968, Sibley was elected to NAFCU's board as director of Region III, the first region outside the West with enough NAFCU members to warrant a board representative. In 1996, the Miami-Dade County School System named a school in his honor – the Hubert O. Sibley Elementary School in Miami. The family has asked that donations be made to the school to honor Sibley. Memorial services have been held. Sibley is survived by Madalynne, his wife of 63 years, his sons Bert and Mark, and four grandchildren.