The PACU Foundation was founded in January 2020, grown out of the desire of Piedmont Advantage Credit Union's Board of Directors and leadership team to enlarge the credit union's capacity to make a difference within its North Carolina service areas of Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland, Davie, Duplin, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell, Mecklenburg, New Hanover, Pender and Rockingham counties. 

The foundation mission is to create strong, sustainable financial health in our local communities by using the power of cooperative efforts to enable dreams to take flight and soar.

Areas of Focus

• Financial Literacy

• Education and Training

• Disaster and Emergency Assistance

About Piedmont Advantage Credit Union and The PACU Foundation logo

In 1948, Aviator Tom Davis launched a small airline, Piedmont Airlines, in Winston-Salem, NC, to provide jobs for servicemen and women after the war. Under his leadership, the airline flourished and the need for a credit union was recognized. By 1949, with airline volunteers and a cash box in a small office, Mr. Davis supported the launch of an aviation credit union to provide small loans and savings accounts to Piedmont Airlines’ employees. The credit union grew rapidly along with the airline industry.

Over the years, this credit union became known as Piedmont Advantage to reflect its growing membership. With access to over 5,000 branches within the credit union network and 35,000 surcharge-free ATMs, membership is open to individuals, who reside, work or worship in the communities Piedmont Advantage serves in North Carolina or who are employed by one of its employer companies. 

The PACU Foundation logo with the display of wings is a tribute to Piedmont Advantage’s humble beginnings within the airline industry.

Board of Directors and Officers:

Steve Gilliland
Chairman

Jean Golden-Rumer
President
Fundraising Committee Chairperson
Email: jgolden-rumer@pacufoundation.org

Jeanette Stark
Vice President
Email: jeanette.stark@pacufoundation.org

Peter Minford
Treasurer
Email: pminford@pacufoundation.org

Tracy Gilmore
Secretary
Email: tgilmore@pacufoundation.org

Diana Santos Johnson
Director

Justine Lerch
Director

Gene Sharp
Director

Mary Vitale
Director
Gifting Committee Chairperson
Email: mvitale@pacufoundation.org

Michael Westbrook
Director
Email: mwestbrook@pacufoundation.org

Kim Adkins
Public Relations and Community Outreach Director
Email: kadkins@pacufoundation.org

To ask questions or share your comments about the PACU Foundation , please fill out the form below.

The PACU Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization, EIN 84-4139152.  All donations are deemed tax-deductible absent any limitation on deductibility applicable to a particular taxpayer. If goods or services were provided in return for a contribution, the amount of the contribution, which is tax-deductible, may be limited to the amount exceeding the value of such goods and services. The PACU Foundation maintains discretion over the use of all donated funds.