Mel Feather

Mel Feather, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union board president, has retired from the position.

Feather had been involved in the credit union for more than 50 years and served as board president for 21 years.

Under Feather’s tenure, the credit union grew from 500 members to more than 17,000 members and from assets of $12 million to more than $120 million. During that time the Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union also grew from a home-based branch operating out of Jack and Jerry Felton’s home to eight branches across Chautauqua County.

A celebration to honor Mel for his dedication to the credit union and our community was held in June at Christ First United Methodist Church in Jamestown, where Feather attends.

Feather retired from the Frewsburg School District after 30 years of teaching history and 14 years as Dean of Students. Feather remains involved in the community as Chair of Trustees at Christ First United Methodist Church and also serves on the Advisory Council. He is president of the Board of Trustees at Myers Memorial Library in Frewsburg. He is a trail guide for kindergarten through fourth grade students at the Audubon Community Nature Center and serves as a docent at the Robert H. Jackson Center in Jamestown.

In 2007, Jamestown Community College recognized Feather as a Distinguished Alumnus of the college at that year’s graduation ceremonies.

In 2014, the Credit Union Association of New York recognized Feather as Volunteer of the Year for his work in the credit union movement and within the community.

Feather served as a staff sergeant with the First Cavalry Division in Vietnam and Cambodia. He was the recipient of the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Air Medal, four Bronze Stars and the Silver Star.