Our History
The Credit Union was founded January 14th, 1960 in Jackson, Ohio. The Official name was OSHP – District 9 Federal Credit Union, one year later, February 2, 1961, the official name of the credit union was changed to STATE HIGHWAY PATROL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION. The original board was comprised of seven board members, three Supervisory Committee members and three Credit Committee Members.
Some of you may still recognize the names of the ten SHP pioneers of the original board developed in 1960: Charles E. Wallace, Ronald T. Fannin, James A Kirkendoll, Seth E Inskepp, Hershel A Sparks, David L Proffit, Carlton C. Williams, John G Francies, Max Lambert, James F Devoll. These District 9 employees had a vision and set in motion, what has turned out to be a very reliable and friendly co-op for employees, retirees and their family members of the State Highway Patrol.
In 1961 membership was increased to include the STATE HIGHWAY PATROL statewide. The office was moved to the general headquarters (GHQ) in Columbus, Ohio. The board of directors changed to a 15-member board with the intentions to have enough directors to represent the entire state, GHQ and the training academy.
Many members will remember Thelma Helton. Thelma was the first full time employee of the credit union. She worked in a tiny upstairs office (also known as the closet) at GHQ. She became credit union manager in 1976 and together with a second employee, Donna Stevens, moved the credit union to the basement of GHQ.
In 1980 the credit union leased offices in a building shared jointly with the OSHP Retirement System. In 1993, the Retirement System purchased the building on Busch Boulevard and the credit union moved into its current offices.
Since 1993 the credit union has increased its physical space and increased its staff to better serve the membership. In 2000 the credit union added a board room, loan offices and remodeled the lobby and teller stations.
Thelma Helton retired in August of 1998 as manager, after 34 years of service to the credit union. Donna Stevens, assistant manager to Ms. Helton, was appointed by the board of directors as the new manager. Penny Taylor became the assistant manager.
- CURRENT/ACTIVE full time STATE HIGHWAY PATROL employees.
- RETIRED STATE HIGHWAY PATROL employees.
- OSHP Retirement SYSTEM employees.
- UN-MARRIED SPOUSES OF DECEASED MEMBERS OF THIS CREDIT UNION provided they join within one year of the date of the member’s death.
- STATE HIGHWAY PATROL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION full time employees of this credit union.
We have certainly grown over the years; however, our mission is still to provide the best service to members of the STATE HIGHWAY PATROL. Our field of membership still contains the following:
OUR BYLAWS EXTEND OUR MEMBERSHIP TO INCLUDE THE IMMEDIATE FAMILIES OF THE LIST ABOVE. IMMEDIATE FAMILY IS DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. HUSBAND, WIFE
2. PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS (by blood or marriage)
3. CHILDREN (by blood, stepchildren and adopted children)
4. GRANDCHILDREN. (by blood, step grandchildren or adopted grandchildren)
We still maintain a three-person credit committee with one alternate member. We have added a three member supervisory committee, which is in charge of hiring the annual audit, and verifying closed accounts among other duties.
While we are committed to growth, our main goal is to be a financial institution our members can rely on, a credit union that is receptive to the needs of the STATE HIGHWAY PATROL members.
Though we continue to operate from one location, we have never lost sight that our membership is the credit union. We try to listen to your needs and what you envision your credit union should be. Our computer system has allowed the membership to access their accounts 24 hours a day via phone or internet banking.
Manager
Donna Stevens
