Paul Marotta
Paul Marotta, chairman of the board, is the “ultimate volunteer,” said Hanscom Federal Credit Union President and CEO David Sprauge. “I can’t imagine there’s another director or chairman of the board that has the passion, energy and commitment to credit unions that Paul demonstrates day in and day out.”
Marotta spent his career working as an Air Force civilian. An accountant by trade with a background in finance, he held several roles, including working as an audit manager and later as a member of the commander’s action group for the three-star general at Hanscom Air Force Base.
Marotta joined Hansom Federal Credit Union, which is headquartered at the Hanscom base, about a year after he began working for the Air Force. He was later asked to join the credit union’s supervisory committee in 1978, which he served on for nearly 10 years.
“It was natural for me to get involved with the credit union because of my background,” Marotta said. “When I got to know the people at the credit union, it became kind of a family situation for me. They helped me buy a home, which was all new to me then. Those people reached out and treated me like real person. … That really meant something to me.”
So Marotta decided to become more involved. He joined the board of directors in 1988, and was elected chairman of the board in 1993. Still, he wanted to do more; 13 years ago he became the only volunteer official on the Social Responsibility Committee of the Massachusetts Credit Union League (MCUL).
“I think I’ve been a member of that committee longer than any of the professionals,” Marotta said with a laugh.
Among his many contributions to Hanscom Federal Credit Union, Marotta helped create its Member Advisory Group, which invites members to meet quarterly with credit union management, and was vocal in establishing the Hanscom Federal Credit Union Charitable Foundation, which has provided $100,000 to the Home Base Program to help military members who suffer from traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.
“The most impressive thing about Paul is really his approach to dealing with people,” Sprauge said. “When we have to make a decision about something where there’s not necessarily a right or wrong answer, he takes the time to talk to people one-on-one to help everyone through the process. He always asks us, ‘What’s the benefit to our members?’”
Marotta’s work has earned him numerous awards – including a few named after him. The MCUL has the Paul J. Marotta Social Responsibility Award – Marotta was its first recipient – and the Lowell High School Junior Reserve Officer’s Training Corps created the Paul J. Marotta Reach for the Stars Award.
“My work with the credit union is a labor of love. As a volunteer, if you don’t love what you do, you’re not going to do it. You have to love and believe in what you do,” Marotta said. “I worked my whole life for the government, for my country, knowing that I was doing something good. And that’s how the credit union makes me feel: I’m doing something good for people.”
