Stephen J. White Named Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
WESTERLY, RI, June 24, 2025: Westerly Community Credit Union is proud to announce that Stephen J. White is the recipient of the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award. This honor recognizes White's outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to the greater Westerly-Stonington region.
The criteria considered by the Chamber in the selection process included his leadership role in the community, specific contributions in business and civic/non-profit organizations, promoting the community image, improving the quality of life in our area, personal and professional characteristics including integrity, creativity, communication skills and broad social perspectives.
For the past 25 years, Steve has provided remarkable leadership and fueled significant growth. The credit union grew in assets from $84 million to $495 million and from two branch offices in Westerly to five throughout southern RI. He also added a contact center and an Operations Center in Wakefield, allowing the Credit Union a larger footprint to serve members and businesses.
While at Westerly Community Credit Union, Steve advocated for donations and sponsorships to over 150 organizations annually, including staff volunteering and capital campaigns. Leading by example, he has served the community himself through participation in a variety of community-based organizations, such as:
The Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce formally presented the Citizen of the Year award to Stephen J. White on June 18th at Venice Restaurant.
About Westerly Community Credit Union:
The WCCU mantra, #WCCUCares, emphasizes their focus on caring about their members, their members’ financial success, and their community. Established in 1948, Westerly Community Credit Union is a local, full–service financial institution that currently serves over 23,000 members with lending and deposit products through convenient locations in Westerly, Richmond, Wakefield, Coventry, and online at www.westerlyccu.com. Recent WCCU awards: Westerly Sun’s 2024 Community Choice for Best Credit Union and Best Financial Planning Services; Southern RI 2024 Community Choice Awards for Best Credit Union; Southern RI 2023 Chamber Choice Awards “Spreadin’ the Love Giving Back Award”, as well as PBN’s Best Places to Work (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025) and PBN’s Fastest Growing Companies (2024).
The criteria considered by the Chamber in the selection process included his leadership role in the community, specific contributions in business and civic/non-profit organizations, promoting the community image, improving the quality of life in our area, personal and professional characteristics including integrity, creativity, communication skills and broad social perspectives.
For the past 25 years, Steve has provided remarkable leadership and fueled significant growth. The credit union grew in assets from $84 million to $495 million and from two branch offices in Westerly to five throughout southern RI. He also added a contact center and an Operations Center in Wakefield, allowing the Credit Union a larger footprint to serve members and businesses.
While at Westerly Community Credit Union, Steve advocated for donations and sponsorships to over 150 organizations annually, including staff volunteering and capital campaigns. Leading by example, he has served the community himself through participation in a variety of community-based organizations, such as:
- Past member & Treasurer of the Ocean Community YMCA Board as well as past member of the Finance Committee,
- Board President of the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center,
- Past Moderator and District Clerk of the Dunn’s Corners Fire District,
- President of the Westerly Education Endowment Fund, and
- Past mentor for the Chariho High School, INCubator Program.
The Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce formally presented the Citizen of the Year award to Stephen J. White on June 18th at Venice Restaurant.
About Westerly Community Credit Union:
The WCCU mantra, #WCCUCares, emphasizes their focus on caring about their members, their members’ financial success, and their community. Established in 1948, Westerly Community Credit Union is a local, full–service financial institution that currently serves over 23,000 members with lending and deposit products through convenient locations in Westerly, Richmond, Wakefield, Coventry, and online at www.westerlyccu.com. Recent WCCU awards: Westerly Sun’s 2024 Community Choice for Best Credit Union and Best Financial Planning Services; Southern RI 2024 Community Choice Awards for Best Credit Union; Southern RI 2023 Chamber Choice Awards “Spreadin’ the Love Giving Back Award”, as well as PBN’s Best Places to Work (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025) and PBN’s Fastest Growing Companies (2024).