Civic Federal Credit Union

"We look forward to having you join us at the start of this journey that will mean so much for the hardworking, dedicated people who make up North Carolina's local government community."

A passionate credit union advocate, Dwayne Naylor has worked in the credit union industry for more than 25 years. His focus on the "triple bottom line" — a sustainable enterprise that delivers economic, social and environmental benefits — is what drives the Civic commitment to people, planet and prosperity.

Naylor earned a Global MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and a Bachelor of Science from East Carolina University. He is a 2015 graduate of ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton. He has earned the Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) designation and is a Certified Chief Executive.

Garland Avent is Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Civic Federal Credit Union. As CFO, Avent is responsible for oversight of the Finance and Accounting functions of Civic. He also participates in the development of the Credit Union's annual financial plan, leads the Asset-Liability Management Committee efforts, and functions as the primary regulatory contact at Civic.

Avent has a Bachelor of Business Administration from North Carolina Central University, is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Financial Planner®, holds several insurance licenses and previously held five NASD/FINRA licenses.

In his spare time, Avent likes to travel, read and experience new adventures. He resides in Wake Forest with his wife and has three children.

A native North Carolinian, Sherry Bear is a diehard Tarheels fan, "But," she says, "the excitement of watching the Heels is a close second to the excitement I feel about Civic helping our members."

Bear, the senior vice president of operations at Civic, has been in the credit union industry for about 34 years, holds a bachelor's degree in the Science of Industrial Relations and is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Asked about the operations side of Civic, Bear says, "Our staff is enthusiastic about developing products and services that will benefit members in their everyday lives. And we support the backbone of the organization to make sure transactions flow timely and error free." When not working, Bear enjoys reading and traveling with her husband.

"We have the ability to build exactly what the members have asked for."

As the senior vice president of lending, Neal Chaloupka says his team's focus has been to develop great financial products for consumers, businesses and nonprofits. "All our products are designed to maximize value for our members. In particular, Civic offers complete small business services for members who have been overlooked or underserved."

Chaloupka notes that Civic is a unique Credit Union built to meet the needs of members who want a digital-first experience.

"Members never need to go into a branch, but our help is just a phone call, a chat session, or an email away. We support members based on what they need."

A financial services professional for more than 25 years, Chaloupka has an undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and earned his master's degree from Nova Southeastern University.

He is married and enjoys traveling in his free time.

"The vibe at Civic is like nothing I've felt before. The response from our members, the commitment of our staff and the possibilities that greet us every day — it all just inspires me."

Lamar Heyward has more than 25 years' experience in marketing, 15 of which have been in the credit union industry. He says his background in marketing, innovation and strategy culminates in his role at the helm of the Marketing Department at Civic.

Heyward says his participation in the highly regarded Filene i3 program for innovation has helped him develop many of the marketing themes behind Civic.

"The i3 program is a framework for thinking, for forming those 'what if' ideas that seem almost inconceivable — and then trying to work them through to implementation."

Heyward notes that his daily motivation kicks up a few notches when he and his team define ideas that will help Civic members.

"We built a Credit Union with products and services that members labeled as 'needs,' 'wants' and 'love-to-haves.' As former NFL coach Jimmie Johnson says, 'The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.'"

A veteran of the United States Air Force, Heyward earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an emphasis on digital media from North Carolina State University.

Heyward enjoys spending time with his family.

“As Civic staff members, we take pride in living our mission — serving local government units, employees, family members and volunteers, to improve their lives and the communities in which they live and serve. That pride is demonstrated every day through our Core Values, which we hold dear and aspire to live by in serving our members.”

Don Larsen has more than 30 years of human resources experience across a multitude of industries including legal, engineering, software development, hospitality and financial services. He currently serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer of Civic and Local Government Federal Credit Union (LGFCU).

Additionally, Larsen is an Executive Committee member for the Credit Union National Association HR & Organizational Development Council, as well as being Chair of its Engagement Committee, and Co-Chair of its Conference Committee. He is an active member of the Forbes Human Resources Council and serves as a voluntary Board Director for the Nathan Leaf Foundation for Patient Advocacy.

Larsen has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Human Resources Management from Georgia Southern University and a Master of Business Administration degree.

He holds several professional certifications including the Senior Professional in Human Resources, Credit Union HR Compliance Professional, and Strategic HR Business Partner, and he is certified in Human Resources Project Management.

Larsen enjoys spending time with his wife, three adult children and two sons-in-law. When he can find the time, he enjoys playing golf and is a culinary aficionado (which really means he likes to cook and eat).

Dayatra “Day” Matthews joined LGFCU in 2012 as Senior Vice President of Legal and Compliance and was named Chief Legal Officer/General Counsel in 2021. Prior to joining LGFCU, Matthews was a partner in the Raleigh law firm of Bailey & Dixon LLP.

As Chief Legal Officer at Civic and LGFCU, she oversees all legal, compliance and risk functions and provides guidance to Executive Management and the Board of Directors on matters related to corporate governance.

Matthews graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and obtained her Juris Doctorate from Duke University School of Law.

Currently, Matthews serves as a Credit Union National Association Board of Director Class C – Nationwide and as executive leadership for the North Carolina Sister Society of Global Women’s Leadership Network. In 2022, Matthews was named one of North Carolina’s Legal Elite by Business North Carolina magazine.

Matthews is Immediate Past President of the 10th Judicial District Bar and a past President of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys and its Political Action Committee. She is a former Board member of EarthShare North Carolina; former Board member and Grievance Committee Chair of the Wake County Bar Association; past President of the Capital City Lawyers’ Association; and former Board member of Movement of Youth, a Durham-based nonprofit with the mission to prepare diverse youth to lead and succeed in the 21st century.

Matthews lives in Wake Forest with her husband and son. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, working out, and watching her beloved Tar Heels play basketball.

Ashley Ruffin serves as Chief Impact Officer of both Civic and Local Government Federal Credit Unions (LGFCU). She joined LGFCU in 2002 as a Membership Development Officer, and later served as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Chief Strategy Officer.

Ruffin is a lifelong resident of North Carolina. Prior to joining LGFCU, she worked as the Human Resources Director for both the Town of Morrisville and the City of Sanford.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, a Bachelor of Science degree in administration of criminal justice from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Master of Public Administration degree from North Carolina State University. She is a Credit Union Development Educator and has completed various management certification programs through the Credit Union National Association and the UNC School of Government.

In her spare time, Ashley enjoys reading, kayaking, spending time with her family, and keeping up with their Boykin Spaniel pup.

“Civic represents a phenomenal opportunity to offer our members something unique and exceptional, tailored just for them and in response to what they ask for. We want to be YOUR Credit Union in every way!"

As the Chief Technology Officer of both Civic and Local Government Federal Credit Unions, Sandy Steward has made her team’s focus figuring out the future while meeting the technology needs of today.

She began her technology career in 1998, serving in the United States Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician. Today, she is a 17-year veteran of the credit union industry holding a Bachelor of Science degree in computer information systems from Saint Leo University, and a Master of Science degree from the Florida Institute of Technology.

She has received certification from the Management and Leadership Institute offered by the National Association of Federally Insured Credit Unions.

Steward says, "The technology team goes beyond meeting the internal technology needs of the Credit Union. We work to identify and implement solutions that make it easy for our members to do business with us."

When not working, Sandy enjoys going to the movies, traveling — specifically cruising — and spending time with family.

"The entire Civic staff, as well as our members, are all part of an initiative to trailblaze the future of financial services."

As a 20-year veteran of the credit union industry, Pete VanGraafeiland received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a management concentration from Elon University and earned a master's degree in Corporate Finance from Campbell University. He is also a Credit Union Certified Executive.

VanGraafeiland says the member services team, "has the privilege of interacting and assisting our members with any of their financial needs."

VanGraafeiland is married and has three young sons. He enjoys playing tennis and golf, and spending time with his family.