Paul Phillips
President/CEO
Freedom First Federal Credit Union (Roanoke, VA)
At-Large
Paul Phillips has served as President/CEO of Freedom First Federal Credit Union since 1998. During Paul’s tenure, Freedom First has grown from a small employer-based credit union to a 52,000-member community-chartered credit union with assets of $525M. With more than 70 percent of its membership considered low/moderate income and a demonstrated commitment to community and development goals, Freedom First earned designation as a Low Income Credit Union by the National Credit Union Administration and a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
Under Paul’s leadership, Freedom First’s mission and vision have broadened to include developing sustainable solutions to persistent community challenges. The Credit Union’s unique suite of Impact Banking products and services are designed specifically to help the underserved achieve their personal and financial goals through financial education, credit and asset-building programs as well as workforce development and healthy foods initiatives. Freedom First is a recognized leader in collaboration among businesses, non-profits, and local governments in the areas of sustainable finance and community development within Virginia’s Valley Region.
Paul serves on the board of several industry and non-profit associations, which include: Council of Community Services, Non-Profit Resource Center of Western Virginia, Credit Unions Care Foundation of Virginia, Culiance, and Inclusiv.