Girado Smith Inducted into the African American Credit Union Coalition Hall of Fame

03/12/2025

Educational Systems Federal Credit Union is proud to announce that President/CEO Girado Smith, CPA, has been inducted into the African American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) Hall of Fame in recognition of his leadership, dedication and contributions to the credit union movement. The Induction Ceremony took place during the Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C. on March 4, 2025 at the OAS House of the Americas. 

With over 25 years of leadership at Educational Systems FCU, Smith has played a pivotal role in shaping the Credit Union’s financial operations and strategic direction, resulting in assets surpassing $1.2 billion. His commitment to excellence, financial wellness and community impact has driven the Credit Union’s mission forward.

“Being inducted into the AACUC Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor,” said Smith. “I am grateful to be part of an industry that is rooted in the philosophy of ‘people helping people’. I’m also proud to contribute to initiatives that support diversity, equity and inclusion while making financial wellness accessible to all.”

Smith played a key role in launching The Rosemary Brinkley C-Level Leadership Development Program, a collaboration between AACUC and the Credit Union, designed to support and mentor diverse credit union leaders. He has also been instrumental in advancing financial education and inclusion through initiatives such as the Support Education Foundation, which he helped establish in 2017 to provide scholarships, professional development awards and charitable giving programs for students and educators. 

As a strong advocate for community engagement, Smith serves on the boards of the Montgomery County Public Schools Educational Foundation, Inc., Metropolitan Area Credit Union Management Association (MACUMA) and MD|DC Credit Union Association Suburban Chapter. He is also a member of several professional organizations, including the African American Credit Union Coalition and the National Association of Federal Credit Unions.

Smith holds a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a focus on accounting from Mansfield University.

The AACUC Hall of Fame recognizes credit union professionals, volunteers and advocates who have made significant contributions to the industry. Smith’s induction highlights his unwavering commitment to leadership, mentorship and financial empowerment. This year’s honorees also included Tony LaDarryl Black, Sr. (posthumously), Barbara J. Leonard (posthumously), Harold Roundtree and Pearl Wicks.

Educational Systems Federal Credit Union has proudly served the education community since 1955. With $1.2 billion in assets and 14 branches, the Credit Union serves over 90,000 members of the education community including school employees, students, parents and individuals working for education-related organizations.