GTE Financial, one of Florida’s largest credit unions, will soon celebrate a significant milestone by one of its dearest and longest‐serving employees, Jackie Garofolo. Garofolo was one of five employees at the credit union in 1964 when GTE Financial served 2,000 members.
This summer, Garofolo is celebrating 55 years of service at the place she calls home. GTE Financial has been serving Tampa Bay for 84 years and now serves more than 230,000 individuals and businesses.
“Garofolo’s contributions to GTE Financial and to our members are invaluable. Her love and dedication for her work has helped her to continuously improve the financial lives of our members while making a positive impact through more than five decades of service,” said Brian Best, President and CEO of GTE Financial.
She started working at GTE as a junior in high school. She studied half‐time and spent the other half of her day filling cards on ledgers and answering phones at her after‐school job. Today, Garofolo serves as a Member Resolution Support Specialist, and says her love for the concept of credit unions/cooperatives kept her at GTE Financial.
“People love the personal touch of credit unions. I had members follow me when I changed branches. I remember knowing all of the members names when I first started and greeting them personally. That’s something people cherish,” she said.
Garofolo serves as a gatekeeper of history and development for her colleagues at GTE. She pioneered various initiatives that changed the credit union history in Tampa Bay. From starting from scratch one of the very first checking accounts in the area, to opening branches and working to implement the credit union’s first credit card; Garofolo has a long history of service and innovation.
To acknowledge Jackie’s devotion to service and excellence for the past 55 years, GTE Financial will recognize her at its employee anniversary luncheon.
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About GTE Financial:
GTE Financial is a not for profit financial cooperative with more than $2 billion in assets and 24 Community Financial Centers located throughout West Central Florida. Chartered in 1935, GTE Financial is locally owned and operated in the Tampa Bay area, serving more than 230,000 individuals and businesses. More information on GTE Financial can be found at www.gtefinancial.org.