Daniel Caldwell has been promoted to president/CEO of 1st Choice Credit Union in Atlanta.

Caldwell came to the $24 million credit union in 2008 as a staff accountant and was later promoted to accounting supervisor and chief financial officer.

Within a year, the board named him interim president/CEO. He succeeded Sheilah Montgomery, who left in March 2011 to become president/CEO of the $80 million Credit Union of Atlanta.

Under Caldwell's leadership, 1st Choice was awarded first place in Georgia for the Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Award and received a national honorable mention in its asset category, according to the credit union.

For more than 11 years, Caldwell has worked in the credit union movement, beginning his career as an auditor with a certified public accounting firm in Fayetteville, Ga., where he provided auditing services to federal and state-charted credit unions.

“Mr. Caldwell has proven to be a strong leader always putting the needs of the members first, his deliberate and team-oriented approach has been refreshing and should be applauded,” said James Wright Sr., chairman of the board at 1st Choice.

Chartered in 1991, 1st Choice serves more than 9,200 members.