LGE Community Credit Union pushes through 2020 and looks forward to its 2021 plans
By Lindsay Field Penticuff
While many individuals, small businesses, and companies faced quite a few obstacles throughout 2020 — making the best of what they could during the COVID-19 global pandemic — LGE Community Credit Union continued to push through with relocating its new headquarters. Company executives also look forward to what 2021 has to offer the Marietta-headquartered credit union.
Founded in 1951, LGE is now occupying space in the Cumberland Center II complex off Cumberland Boulevard Southeast in the Cumberland area of Cobb County. They moved into their new space in April 2020.
“LGE had been headquartered at 430 Commerce Park [in Marietta] since 1981,” says Chris Leggett, president and CEO at LGE. “Back then, we had fewer than 40,000 members and fewer than 100 employees.”
The credit union now serves more than 117,000 members from Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Fulton, and Paulding counties, as well as Partner Groups companies and family members of existing LGE customers.
There were a few reasons LGE leadership decided to relocate, but one of the top motives was that Cobb County expressed an interest in purchasing their old building. “We believed it presented an opportunity for LGE to secure a location that would better meet our future needs,” adds Leggett, who has been with the credit union for 13 years.
When the journey to find a new location began, LGE was intentional in looking for and planning their new headquarters space. Leaders wanted to make sure the new office was selected and designed with the future of the credit union in mind.
Carol Wagner, SVP and chief administrative officer with 18 years of experience at LGE, says the new location occupies the entire 16th and 17th floors, in addition to part of the 15th floor, of Cumberland Center II. The space houses staff that support all facets of LGE operations. “We completely renovated the space prior to move-in to feature natural light viewable from all workstations, standing desk options for all workstations, and different options for working throughout the space, including nooks, hubs, and booths,” shares Wagner.
The cool thing about the new location, she adds, is that they were deliberate about designing a space that allows LGE team members to be able to better serve credit union members. “It’s a complete change from the traditional office space we occupied previously. The [new] space was designed to foster creativity, increase collaboration among teams, and promote informal communication. It features natural light all around, and sweeping views of both Cobb County and the Atlanta skylines.”
The space also features wireless connectivity throughout, adds Murali Krishnan, SVP and chief information officer who has been at LGE for two years, in addition to virtual conferencing capability and intermetal staff mobility that allows employees to work anywhere, anytime.
“Currently, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, much of our headquarters staff is working remotely at least part of the time,” Wagner says. “However, we have roughly 150 employees whose home base is our new headquarters — with room for that number to grow.”
Feedback that LGE’s leadership has received from staff since opening eight months ago include the space being attractive, comfortable, and having a lovely open environment. Employees have raved about loving the new views and the mobility within the space.
When asked what he is most proud of with regards to the new space, CEO Leggett says that it provides LGE with a greater presence in the community and flexibility as their future evolves.
On the horizon in 2021
And while 2020 has offered an abundance of opportunity for LGE with its relocation to a new space, leadership is excited about what 2021 will afford its staff and credit union members. “We will continue enhancing our digital offerings and adding value to our members,” Leggett says. “We are planning to finish our branch renovations and refresh in 2021.”
With these advanced offerings on the horizon, Leggett believes LGE will create a better environment for members to do business, as well as a more pleasant experience for staff working in those facilities. “Our environment is fast-evolving with the way business is conducted today,” Wagner adds. “LGE needs to be proactive by implementing products and services that support this new environment.”
For example, Wagner shares, LGE’s digital channel continues double-digit growth and they must continually focus on enhancing the capabilities of that channel. “We must remain relevant in digital — and other channels — to continue delivering value to our members.”
Rodney Grizzle, SVP and chief operations officer who has been with LGE for eight years, adds that thankfully COVID-19 hasn’t impacted or delayed their plans for 2021; rather, it has caused LGE to accelerate in response to the needs of credit union members.
“It sounds like a broken record,” Leggett concludes, “but our reason for plans of any kind is to give our members as much value as possible. As a cooperative, it’s in our DNA!”
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About LGE Community Credit Union
LGE Community Credit Union was founded in Marietta, Ga., in 1951 by employees at Lockheed Martin Corporate, an aerospace, defense, arms, security and advanced technologies company with locations all cross the United States. Throughout the years, LGE began serving others in the community by adding Partner Groups to their field of membership. In 2008, LGE converted from a federally chartered to state-chartered credit union, allowing them to serve anyone living or working within a geographical field of membership. Today, LGE serves more than 117,000 credit union members. Everyone who lives or works in Bartow, Cherokee, Cobb, Fulton and Paulding counties, in addition to Partner Groups companies and family members of existing members can join.
LGE Community Credit Union Leadership
Chris Leggett, President and CEO
Rodney Grizzle, SVP and Chief Operations Officer
Sean Ferrell, SVP and Chief Financial Officer
Murali Krishnan, SVP and Chief Information Officer
Carol Wagner, SVP and Chief Administrative Officer
