Ozarks Profile

President of General Council Credit Union, 1535 N. Campbell. The credit union provides financial services to the employees of the General Council of the Assemblies of God and its subsidiaries, including Evangel University, Central Bible College, the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Berean University, Maranatha Village and members of the area Assemblies of God churches. The credit union also serves approximately 2,000 Assemblies of God missionaries around the world. "We are in contact with our members all over the U.S. and abroad on a daily basis," Lawson said. General Council Credit Union was organized in July 1951. It now has assets in excess of $37.5 million and has almost 10,000 members. Lawson has been president for 12 years. The credit union offers a full range of financial services to its members, Lawson said. Lawson is president-elect of the Northside Kiwanis Club, serves on the advisory board for the Missouri Credit Union Shared Branch Network and is past treasurer of the Greene County Mental Health Association.

Age: 61.

No. of years in Springfield/area: Born in Knoxville, Tenn., Lawson moved to Springfield in 1952 with her mother and two brothers.

Education: Graduated from Central High School in 1954. Attended evening classes at Drury College and graduated from the Credit Union National Association Management school at the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 1990.

Early career: Lawson's first job was with Maschino's Hardware as a cooperative education student in 1953-54. She worked part-time while attending high school. After graduation, she moved to Commerce Bank, working there for eight years in the proof department before deciding to stay home for a while with her first child. In 1966, Union National Bank called and asked if she would work part-time while they were implementing their new computer system. Lawson worked at that bank for 20 years, first in the proof department and later as proof department supervisor. In 1977, she moved to Center City Branch as branch manager and later moved to the Sunshine and Glenstone locations as branch manager. In 1986, Lawson came to work for the credit union as manager. "This was a pleasant transition, as I had been a member for many years and was acquainted with the philosophy of Credit Unions. I thoroughly enjoy my work and have been blessed to have a wonderful staff and board of directors to work with," Lawson said.

Current projects: The credit union is currently testing its Home Banking software. "Keeping up with new technology is ongoing, and preparing for the year 2000 is a challenge. There is never time to get bored in this business," Lawson said.

Management philosophy: "My management philosophy is to treat everyone the way I would like to be treated. I feel it is important to work as a team to accomplish our goals," Lawson said.

Spare-time pursuits: Spending time at the family's cottage on Table Rock Lake, gardening and browsing antique stores. She also enjoys teaching the toddlers in Sunday School at Central Assembly.

Family data: Married to Sherdell Lawson for 44 years. He semi-retired from Western Lithotech in February. They have two children: Jeffrey Lawson and Lori Morgan. Lori's daughter, Mandy, is 4 1/2. "Our granddaughter is the light of our life," Lawson said.

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