With humble beginnings, Tennessee Eastman Credit Union (TECU) was organized in September of 1934 by a group of ten Tennessee Eastman Company (TEC) officials: J. R. Brandon, B. M. Brown, R. C. Caldwell, A. J. Carter, N. D. Grills, A. M. Moore, H. G. Stone, J. C. Stone, R. L. Vaughn, and J. C. White.

TECU’s founders were community leaders, who were involved in many ways to make Kingsport a better place to live. In the midst of the Great Depression, thousands of bank failures and U.S. unemployment at 22%, Tennessee Eastman’s James C. White, like others across America, saw the value that the credit union establishment would lend to TEC employees. The credit union movement was sweeping the nation, and Roosevelt had signed the Credit Union Act into law in June of that year. Following that momentum, White’s leadership was a driving force behind the establishment of TECU known today as Eastman Credit Union. 
 
James C. White

"A native of Solon, Michigan, Mr. White joined Tennessee Eastman in 1920, soon after its founding. He became president of the company in 1945 and was a key leader in the growth of Tennessee Eastman and its related companies.” – KTN, 3/18/73 Community Level Accomplishments:  One of the original incorporators of Kingsport Community Chest and Holston Valley Hospital,  First chairman of the Kingsport Salvation Army Advisory Board,  Trustee of King College, Chairman of J. Fred Johnson Memorial Fund campaign 1946 resulting in the establishment of the Kingsport Public Library, Director of Junior Achievement,  First National Bank Advisory Board Member

Herbert G. Stone
“Mr. Stone…joined TEC in 1927 when he was given responsibility for development of a process to manufacture acetic anahyrdide...   Early in 1942, he and a team of other Eastman scientists and engineers developed a process for making RDX (Research Development Explosive), many times more powerful than TNT. This led to the establishment and operation of Holston Ordinance Works...” – Daily News, 2/12/76 Other Accomplishments:  Recipient of President’s Certificate, the highest civilian award for work in national defense (at the time) and held many patents for inventions of processes for manufacturing fibers and chemicals
Jerry C. Stone

"An official of the Tennessee Eastman since 1933, Mr. Stone at various times held the positions of assistant to the president, treasurer, treasurer and assistant secretary, vice president, vice president and director, and executive vice president. He was appointed president of Eastman Chemical Products, Inc., Jan. 1, 1953.” – TEC News, March 5, 1953 Community Level Accomplishments:  One of the founders of “modern” Kingsport, A leader in establishing mission and parish at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, President of Kiwanis Club, Holston Valley Community Hospital and Kingsport Community Chest executive committee member, Director of First National Bank of Kingsport

Ben Brown

Tennessee Eastman Credit Union President (1934-1935)

Assistantant Treasurer (TEC)

A.J. Carter

 Tennessee Eastman Credit Union Director (1934-1938)

Yarn Plant (TEC)

 

A.M. Moore

Tennessee Eastman Credit Union Vice President, (1934-1938)

Engineering & Services Department (TEC)

R.C. Caldwell

Tennessee Eastman Credit Union Secretary-Treasurer, (1934-1935)

Treasurer (TEC)

N.D. Grills

Tennessee Eastman Credit Union Director, (1934-1938; 1939)

Wood Distillation Plant (TEC)

 

J.R. Brandon

Tennessee Eastman Credit Union Director, (1934-1938)

C.A. Plant (TEC)

R.L. Vaughn

Tennessee Eastman Credit Union Director, (1934-1935)

Yarn Plant (TEC)