(This is one of our profiles on this year’s recipients selected by an anonymous committee out of an extensive list of nominees for the 2024 Lincoln Leader Award. The Lincoln Parish Journal thanks Mayor Ronny Walker and the Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce for their support of this award. We would like to thank Kevin Hawkins at HawkinsPhoto.com for the headshots).
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Name: Matthew C. Waldroup (Matt)
Age: 39
Employer: Centric Federal Credit Union
Title: Senior Vice President, Business Services
Hometown: Hayesville, N.C.
Years Living in Ruston: My wife, son (Will), and I moved to Ruston seven years ago from Western North Carolina so that LeAnn could work in the LA Tech College of Business. Prior to that, LeAnn and I met working on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.
Civic Volunteer Organizations: – Board of Directors, Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce -Board of Directors, Hinton Rural Life Center -Member, Lincoln Rotary Club
Member – Trinity Methodist Church (Finance Committee, Confirmation Mentor, Weekend of The CROSS Team Leader) – Sons of The American Legion Squadron 532
Professional Highlights: – Overseeing growth of the commercial portfolio at Centric – Graduate – North Carolina School of Banking – Graduate – Leadership Lincoln 2023 – Project Carolina In My Mind – Participant – Air Force Command and Staff College
Rodney Parker, President and CEO of Centric FCU, on Matt Waldroup:
Congratulations to Matt Waldroup, SVP of Business Services, on being recognized as a Lincoln Leader by the Lincoln Parish Journal! This honor is a testament to his outstanding leadership, dedication, and the positive impact he’s made in the business community. We’re proud to see his hard work, integrity and commitment to excellence celebrated in such a meaningful way.
Q&A with Matt Waldroup, III:
What makes Lincoln Parish special?
Lincoln Parish is perhaps the most entrepreneurially minded community I have ever seen. The people here have a desire to grow, build, and enhance the quality of life we all share. Two world class universities, a diverse industrial base, and a welcoming atmosphere make our collective home a jewel on the I-20 corridor. Most importantly, and dare I say a matter of providence, is that we have found our people here. We have been so fortunate to find friends who have become family, and a sense of community that makes life joyful.
How do you see your role/place in making our parish such a wonderful place to call home?
I simply hope to leave our community better than I found it. Professionally, that includes serving our members to the best of my abilities. We believe in meeting our members where they are, and working to find creative solutions that help them meet their goals now or in the future. Personally, I see my role as one of conducting hands and feet work in our community, participating in projects that help my neighbors. Whether that be participating in Give Kids a Smile Day with Lincoln Rotary, or working on homes during Weekend of the Cross, these efforts make a special place that much better. When others see me in the community, my prayer is that they see someone who will greet them kindly and is glad to know them.
Who has played a role in your professional development and why?
My journey is one of many interactions with people who offered me many opportunities to learn. First it’s been my father, Dean Waldroup, who encouraged me to “find the good you can in everyone, while you discard the bad.” While in government, it was my colleagues David Evans and Bronwyn Lance who demonstrated excellent critical thinking and decision making skills. While working in economic development, it was my County Manager Paul Leek, who offered sage advice and wisdom, encouraging me to “never look back.” In banking, its been Sarah Suggs, Rickey Darst, and Rodney Parker, all of whom have demonstrated leadership and a willingness to teach me along the way. My Wednesday morning men’s group, who have all taught me many valuable lessons. And finally, my friend and mentor Kirk Hatherly who lives his vocation daily, and has always offered encouragement regardless of the circumstance. What good I put into the world is in no small part due to their influence on me.
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