Each day, VyStar employees live out our purpose to Do Good for our members and our communities. To recognize and celebrate their efforts, we recently hosted the VyStar Volunteer Awards, honoring the exceptional efforts of those who consistently go the extra mile to support charitable causes.
These committed individuals not only excel in their roles within the credit union but also bring their enthusiasm for service to the communities we serve. Demonstrating an inspiring collective effort, VyStar employees completed 40,100 volunteer hours in 2024, an unprecedented total for our credit union. Beyond their volunteer hours, employees also contributed over $119,00 through our innovative Pay it Forward program. These efforts are part of VyStar’s broader philanthropic commitment, which totaled $7.2 million in 2024.
“These awards are a testament to the incredible spirit of volunteerism that thrives within our organization,” said VyStar President/CEO Brian Wolfburg. “Our employees' dedication to serving their communities exemplifies the core values of VyStar, and their collective efforts have a profound and lasting impact.”
This year's categories at the VyStar Volunteer Awards included Volunteer of the Year, Elite Volunteer Circle, Spirit of Community and two new categories, Transformative Service Initiative and Helping Hands.
VyStar Volunteer of the Year Recipients
Minette Torres, Consumer Lending Closing-Fund Manager (183 Volunteer Hours)
Recognized by multiple peers as an employee with a dedicated spirit for volunteerism, Minette has led team events that not only support local causes close to her heart but also promote a sense of unity and camaraderie across her team. Through her significant contributions to various community events in her personal time and VyStar Resource Group-led initiatives including Waste Not Want Not, SAFE Animal Shelter, Animal Care & Protective Service, JASMYN, Red Cross and OneJax. She embodies VyStar’s purpose to Do Good in an unconditional manner, always leading with her heart and stepping up to provide help where needed. Minette attributes her commitment to volunteerism to her family’s giving back culture, often including her mom to share in her volunteer experiences.
Chad Whitley, Member Service Specialist (112 Volunteer Hours)
Chad’s dedication to volunteerism has had a profound impact not just in our community but also across his team. He has dedicated his time to supporting various causes such as Gingerbread Extravaganza, Animal Care and Protect Services, Lotus Flower Project and LiftJax. Additionally, he has led his own events, including the Florida Odyssey of the Mind Association, where he consistently encourages others to participate. Chad encompasses VyStar’s purpose to Do Good and is always ready to lend a helping hand, whether it is helping with social/comms for VyStar’s Resource Group LevelUp!, pre-event logistics, rallying enthusiasm for Good is everywhere, or reminding his teammates to leverage their Pay It Forward donation. He has played an instrumental role making a positive impact in the communities we call home.
Transformative Service Initiative Award
This award recognizes an outstanding Good is everywhere project.
VyStar Facilities Department
Helping Hands Award
This award recognizes the following lines of business for their yearlong commitment to volunteerism.
Department: Consumer Lending
Branch: Yulee and Fernandina VyStar Branches
Contact Center: Tallahassee Mahan Drive location
Spirit of Community Award
This award recognizes top employees based on hours from each region.
Northeast Florida
Sean Dougherty, Manager, Military Affairs (233 hours)
Dawn David Frost, EPMO Administrator (417 hours)
Central Florida
Charlie Plaza, Branch Vice President II (162 hours)
Desiree Butt, Operations Support Specialist (138 hours)
Northwest Florida
Billie Sara Warner, Branch Vice President I (150 hours)
Tara Davis, Financial Advisor (142 hours)
Georgia
Shomari Furtch, VP, Universal Retail Banking, (62 hours)
Brantley French, Principal Security Engineer (179 hours)
Elite Volunteer Circle
This award is for the top 25 individuals who have completed the most volunteer hours logged in 2024.
David Frost, EPMO Administrator (417 hours)
Mark Lamensdorf, Financial Advisor (353 hours)
Dawn Miller, CC Member Relationship Specialist II (349 hours)
Andrea Young, Enterprise Risk Management Analyst (311 hours)
Ehab Basilious, Senior Relationship Specialist (277 hours)
Meredith Anido, Data Scientist (267 hours)
Andy Mathews, VOM Analyst (254 hours)
Sean Dougherty, Manager, Military Affairs (233 hours)
Michael Rathjen, Vice President High School Program (224 hours)
George Contois, Senior Incident Management Analyst (199 hours)
Minette Torres, Consumer Lending Closing – Funding Manager (183 hours)
Brantley French, Principal Security Engineer – Data Security (179 hours)
Andrea Roberts, Senior Operations Support Specialist (178 hours)
Charlie Plaza, Branch Vice President II (162 hours)
Latori Lewey, Relationship Specialist I (151 hours)
Sara Warner, Branch Vice President I (150 hours)
Ceci Andreu, Human Resources Business Partner II (150 hours)
Johnell Thomas, AVP, Operations Special Projects (147 hours)
Tillery Durbin, Commercial Banker (146 hours)
Devin Hughes, Operations Support Specialist (144 hours)
Tara Davis, Financial Advisor (142 hours)
Desiree Butt, Operations Support Specialist (138 hours)
Makayla Rathjen, Relationship Specialist I (137 hours)
Dawnmarie Scofield, Relationship Specialist II (136 hours)
Blake Massey, Financial Advisor (135 hours)