Energetic, successful, dedicated and loyal are all characteristics that best exemplify Charles A. Hallmark in every respect as the 1976 recipient of the Sam Houston State University's Distinguished Alumnus Award.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote, "This world belongs to the energetic," and Charles A. Hallmark is one of those who has carved his initials into a portion of our land. A native Texan, born in Crockett, Charles moved to Houston in 1941 and at tended Houston Public Schools. At the age of 17, he entered the United States Navy and spent the next four years of his life aboard the USS Valley Forge in the Signal Corps cruising the Pacific Ocean after which he entered Sam Houston in 1952. During this time, he married Johnnie Fay Madden from Pennington, Texas, and be came the father of two children, Richard and Karen. In 1955, having finished college in record time (less than three years), Charles graduated Alpha Chi with a BBA degree in the upper 10% of his class. Immediately after graduation, he went to work as an auditor for the accounting firm of Price, Waterhouse & Company, a worldwide firm handling major corporate accounts.
Properly launched into the world of Corporate finance, Charles joined the Houston Independent School District where he served as Assistant Superintendent and Controller for 13years. During this time, he received the Medallion of Distinguished Service; and, the Municipal Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada awarded him a Certificate of Conformance in 1965 for the Annual Report of Finances of the Houston Independent School District in 1964. This honor is given for excellence in preparing financial reports to conform with the high standards established by the association. While at HISD, Charles became interested in a young fledgling credit union, The Houston Public School Credit Union, an organization dedicated to assisting school employees with financial matters. Realizing the importance of such a financial institution offering "personalized" service to its members, he became an active Credit Union supporter and in 1961 was elected to the Board of Directors of the $3.8 million organization.
Though still very aggressive in the credit union movement, Charles continued his support after leaving HISD to become Business Manager of Region IV Educational Service Center in 1968. Here he was responsible for the implementation of business systems in Computer Services for the 56 districts Region IV serves. Also, he worked as a consultant to the Texas Education Agency in developing the Educational Management Information System and the Accounting System for public schools throughout the State of Texas.
Continually growing, the credit union was becoming a well-known expanding financial institution in Houston of which Charles was aware and became instrumental in changing the antiquated name to Houston Area Teachers Credit Union in order to offer more services to more members. On March 2, 1972, he was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors at the annual meeting held in Hofheinz Pavilion, at which time the assets of the Credit Union were $30 million. In June, 1973, he took over the reins of the Houston Area Teachers Credit Union as President with only the sky as the limit. Today, Charles Hallmark has not only more than doubled the size of the credit union's assets, but also has initiated many new innovative ideas once only held by Main Street bankers. The over $60 million Credit Union now offers its membership of over 45,000 members convenient branch locations for transacting business, draft ac counts (a credit union checking account), Master Charge, Automated Teller Machines, and numerous services never before offered by credit unions. Today, HAT-CU ranks in the top 5 in Texas Credit Unions and second in educationally oriented ones. Needless to say, credit un ions and Hallmark are synonymous with the word SUCCESS.
For recreation and relaxation, he enjoys hunting and outdoor sports; however, his true devotion is to his wife and four children. His oldest son, Richard, is currently working on his Master’s degree in Chemistry at Sam Houston, while his only daughter (the apple of his eye) Karen, graduated in May from Baylor University with a Bachelor's degree in Education. Last December she married George E. Wolfe, Ill, of the Wolfe Florist Wholesale outlet in Waco and they make their home there. Two younger sons, John and Bryan, are still at home in school.
Ranking at the top of Hallmark's list of memberships and affiliations is the Sam Houston State University Alumni Association of which he is a past president and has served on the Board of Directors for over ten years. During his tenure as president, he was instrumental in completely computerizing all Alumni records and developing a system for accessing all Alumni re cords. All of this was helped to dramatically increase membership in SHSU's Alumni Association and boost activities for all Alumni throughout the state with area clubs close at hand. Moreover, he has served on numerous committees and 1s a dedicated member of the Century Club of which he is a charter member.
Recently, he was elected as a Director of Champions Bank in northwest Houston, which adds just more perspective to his vast knowledge of the financial world. Also, among other activities, he is a member of the Credit Union’s Executive Society, Texas Teachers Credit Union Association, Credit Union Managers Association of Southeast Texas, Texas Association of School Business Officials, national Association of School Business Officials, and is a past president of both the Cypress Creek Recreation Association, Inc. and the Arnold Junior High School Parent-Teacher Association. His dedication and integrity has brought Charles A. Hallmark not only success but the valued friendship of a great number of people in all areas his life has touched.