Palmetto Citizens FCU names CFO, COO

Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union has made appointments to three key leadership roles.

Michael Beam will serve as special adviser to the CEO, Elizabeth Bunn was named chief financial officer and Matt Gaskin will serve as chief operating officer.

“These appointments reflect the depth of our leadership team and our commitment to intentional, long-term succession planning,” Robert Dozier, president and CEO of Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union, said in a news release. “Michael’s decades of service have played a defining role in shaping our organization, and we are grateful that his continued involvement will help ensure a seamless transition. At the same time, Elizabeth and Matt bring the experience, vision and steady leadership needed to build on that legacy and guide Palmetto Citizens forward in service to our members and communities.”

Beam originally joined Palmetto Citizens in 1986 as CFO and assumed the additional responsibilities of COO in May 2023. Throughout his 40-year tenure, he has developed a thorough knowledge of the organization while overseeing various operational areas, the bank said in the news release. As special adviser to the CEO, he provides strategic guidance, mentorship and knowledge transfer. He also oversees the organization’s new corporate headquarters project.

Beam has announced his plans to retire in June 2026 following a 40-year career with the credit union. Until his retirement in June, he will serve in a part-time advisory role, supporting enterprise-level initiatives and ensuring continuity, stability and a thoughtful transition of responsibilities, the release said. His continued involvement allows Palmetto Citizens to benefit from his experience and institutional knowledge during this period.

“Serving Palmetto Citizens for nearly 40 years has been the honor of my lifetime,” Beam said in the release. “I’m incredibly proud of the organization we’ve built and continue building together — rooted in service, integrity and a deep commitment to our members. I have full confidence in the leaders at every level of this organization and know they will continue strengthening and advancing our mission for generations to come.”

Bunn joined Palmetto Citizens in 2023, bringing over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry to her role as chief investment and asset-liability management officer. As CFO, Bunn oversees all financial functions of the credit union, including financial strategy, asset liability management, investments, budgeting, accounting, risk management and overall financial performance. Prior to joining the organization, she served as treasurer at a South Carolina-based community bank as well as at a large national bank.

“It’s a privilege to step into this role and continue serving at an organization with such a strong financial foundation and member-focused mission,” Bunn said in the release. “I’m excited to build on that foundation by advancing responsible growth, thoughtful financial stewardship and a long-term strategy that ensures Palmetto Citizens remains a trusted partner.”

Matt Gaskin has been a member of the Palmetto Citizens team for 26 years and has served in various roles within the IT department, most recently as chief information officer.

As COO, Gaskin leads operational strategy across the organization, including oversight of technology, operations, security, facilities, fraud, data analytics and project management. His focus is on scalability and operational efficiency while enhancing both the member and associate experience.

“Having spent my career at Palmetto Citizens, I understand how critical strong, reliable operations are to serving our members,” Gaskin said in the release. “As COO, my priority is to align our operations with our long-term vision — strengthening infrastructure, embracing smart innovation and ensuring we are positioned to grow with purpose.”

In 2025, the financial institution broke ground on its new five-story, 100,000-square-foot headquarters at the corner of Sumter and Lady streets in Columbia — the largest office development in the downtown area in more than 15 years. The bank expects to open the new building in early 2027 and will house Palmetto Citizens’ administrative offices, operations center and downtown Columbia branch, along with community meeting spaces, a restaurant space and a 325-space parking garage.