He’s established himself as a leader in the financial services industry and in the communities he calls home. People from Michigan to North Carolina and Georgia benefit from his generosity.

Meet Christopher Estes, Security Credit Union President and CEO and FIM Board of Trustees Chair. FIM is honored to have him in its family, and even more excited to bestow upon him the 2023 Mrs. J. Dallas Dort Award.
“I believe in being a good citizen individually and corporately. I only get involved in organizations and causes that benefit the community economically, financially and spiritually,” says Estes. “FIM is a unique organization that has regional draw. It’s a real asset to Flint, Genesee County and the region. I am honored to have the opportunity to lead this great organization, and I’m very honored to be receiving this esteemed award.”

The Mrs. J. Dallas Dort Award was established in 1979 to recognize people who have given substantially of their personal time toward the successful development of FIM. It is named in honor of Marcia Webb Dort, wife of Josiah Dallas Dort. Marcia was known for her tireless volunteer work in the arts community. Christopher joins a long line of distinguished recipients that includes many FIM board members, event committee chairpersons and those who have made FIM the beneficiary of their philanthropic time and efforts.

A certified credit union executive, Christopher joined the FIM board in 2012 to promote performing arts in the region by ensuring the organization is vibrant, well run and offering appealing programming. He was named board chair in 2022 and will start a second term this summer.

“I reached out to former FIM President Paul Torre to inquire about the credit union sponsoring ‘Holiday Pops’ — a personal favorite — and joining the board. I had just left the Midland Symphony Orchestra board where I was serving as treasurer,” shares Christopher. “Since sitting on the FIM board, I have served as trustee, vice chair, and on the finance and Flint Symphony Orchestra committees. Strings music is especially interesting to me and my family.”
The most rewarding part for Christopher so far has been promoting performing arts to the region and seeing children positively influenced by FIM Flint School of Performing Arts and partnerships with organizations such as Tapology. He also appreciates that the board is diverse and community minded.

“They have the best interest of FIM at heart,” he elaborates. “Music has a significant impact on us all as individuals and especially in educating our youth. When you look at the wonderful opportunities FIM has to offer, it’s easy to support something that gives such impactful experiences to our community.”

His colleagues agree and celebrate this award with him.

“As the leader of the board of one of the largest performing arts organizations in Michigan, Christopher has been instrumental in assisting me as treasurer, with finance and organizational tools
to help FIM remain a financially strong organization,” shared Thomas Lillie, chair of the FIM board’s finance committee.

A winding road of career and service Christopher has a long history of demonstrating community commitment. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army as a law enforcement MP (95B) from 1985-87. Upon returning home, he earned an associate of arts in criminal justice from Grand Rapids Community College while working at the Kent County Sheriff’s Department for two years as a deputy cadet and then five years as a patrol officer for the City of Lowell. Realizing he wanted to try something different, Christopher went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Business Administration from the Richard DeVos Graduate School of Management at Northwood University. After a brief stint in manufacturing management, he made the jump to banking.

Old Kent Bank is where he launched what has been a 30-plus-year career in banking and credit union-related positions. This path started in Grand Rapids, continued to North Carolina, Georgia and Illinois, and circled back briefly to Grand Rapids. Christopher was soon off to Delaware, then returned to Midland as Dow Chemical Employee’s Credit Union Chief Operating Officer before being recruited to SCU in Flint as its CEO.

He was introduced to the Salvation Army in Wilson, North Carolina. He has a long and distinguished relationship with the organization’s Mid-Michigan Command including two terms as its board chair, its Christmas chair and now treasurer. Christopher also served as chair of the Midland Salvation Army Corps Board when working there.

“I’ve always loved how they help people. It’s positive community development. I started serving them at age 27 by simply making a call to see what I could do to assist. Eventually, I became treasurer of a Salvation Army unit near Wilson while working as a mid-level manager at a bank.”

Christopher’s devotion to the Salvation Army has earned him numerous honors, including the 2018 Jack Hamady Award; 2015 Hands of Mercy — one of the two top honors from the Mid-Michigan Command — and the Salvation Army’s Certificate in Recognition of Exceptional Service awarded by the USA National Commander in 2021. Only one exceptional service award is given per state every three years, making it very prestigious.

Living and working in different states over the years — Christopher and his wife Lori also have a home in Georgia — means he is able to give of his time and talents well beyond FIM. Locally, Christopher is chair of the Flint Chapter of Credit Unions and FIM representative to the Flint Cultural Center Board. He has also been vice president of Bikes on the Bricks for many years.

In St. Mary’s, Georgia, he is president of the Camden Cycling Club. Recently he was appointed to the Grand Rapids Police Foundation Board. Christopher also sits on the Grand Blanc Twp. Downtown Development Authority Board, Flint Twp. Downtown Development Board, and he’s being installed on the Flint Institute of Arts board in July.

His affinity for artistic organizations is evident.

“The arts build lives and enrich communities. I want to break down barriers to accessing such a vital resource.”

Self-described as someone who “excels at turning things around,” Christopher likes making change “for the sake of getting better.”

Christopher also encourages all of his Security Credit Union employees to be service-oriented.

“Our community is important to us. Once they get involved, they realize the importance of the mission and they get enthusiastic.”

Family and fun Christopher grew up in suburban Grand Rapids. He and his wife have two children: their late daughter Victoria, who passed away in 2018; and son Christian, a sophomore at the University of Michigan – Flint studying international business. The family loves the deep south, particularly its food and culture.

In Christopher’s free time, he likes to bike, golf, boat and ski. He enjoys gravel cycling in Northern Oakland County, on trails and roads on the west side of the state and in southeast Georgia.

For Michigan skiing, he prefers Shanty Creek and Mount Brighton.

Although Georgia is where Christopher ultimately plans to settle, he insists,

“I don’t plan to retire at 65. I’ll work until I can’t.”

“Without a doubt, Christopher has worked tirelessly for FIM. He is non-stop for our students, faculty, musicians, fellow board members and the community,” expressed Rodney Lontine, FIM President and CEO. “While Christopher has been a leader for FIM since before I arrived, he gives the same dedication and guiding perspective as he did when he started. He loves his community, and it shows. He is very deserving of this award.”

Please join us in recognizing Christopher Estes for his unwavering commitment to bringing the transformative power of the performing arts to all of Flint. Congratulations again on being the recipient of the 2023 Mrs. J. Dallas Dort Award.