Peach State FCU picks schools executive as next CEO.
Walt Martin, deputy superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools, will take the helm of the $1.1 billion credit union as longtime chief executive Marshall Boutwell prepares to step aside after more than 32 years.
Peach State Federal Credit Union has chosen an education executive with a background outside the credit union industry to lead the $1.1 billion institution, naming Walt Martin, deputy superintendent of Gwinnett County Public Schools, as its next chief executive.
Martin will join the Lawrenceville, Georgia-based, credit union on Jan. 4, 2027, as CEO-elect. After a transition period, he will succeed Marshall Boutwell, who has led Peach State for more than 32 years and will become CEO emeritus.
The appointment brings a leader with more than 30 years of experience in management, finance, technology and organizational change to a credit union serving 76,348 members. Peach State said Martin has spent more than two decades in executive roles, though the announcement did not detail his previous positions beyond his current role in public education.
“His broad leadership experience, combined with his commitment to expanding his credit union knowledge, will bring a valuable perspective to our organization,” Jennifer Houston, the credit union’s board chair, said.
Houston said the board was impressed by Martin’s business knowledge, vision and ability to move an organization forward. She also pointed to his community engagement and commitment to putting members first.
Martin said he looked forward to working with employees, members and community partners to build on the credit union’s existing foundation.
Peach State has continued to grow through a mix of organic development and consolidation. A year ago, it completed a merger with Atlanta-based Pinnacle Credit Union, which had $88 million in assets.
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The credit union reported $4.5 million in earnings for the first half of 2026, up from $4.3 million in the same period a year earlier, according to National Credit Union Administration call report data.
Boutwell will remain involved during the leadership handoff, sharing institutional knowledge and helping maintain continuity in operations and strategy, the credit union said. The board credited his tenure with building Peach State into an institution with more than $1.1 billion in assets.
Martin’s appointment puts a leader from outside the credit union sector at the head of an organization whose board says it wants to build on its history while pursuing further growth and innovation. How his experience in public education and broader executive management will shape the credit union’s strategy remains to be seen.
“I look forward to building upon that foundation while helping shape the organization’s future,” Martin said. “Together, we will remain focused on serving our members, supporting our communities, and creating opportunities for continued success.”
“His broad leadership experience, combined with his commitment to expanding his credit union knowledge, will bring a valuable perspective to our organization.”
Jennifer Houston
Board Chair
Peach State Federal Credit Union
Ken McCarthy is manager of marketing communications at Tyfone, where he monitors the credit union industry and contributes to conversations shaping its future. He previously covered credit unions and community banking for American Banker and S&P Global Market Intelligence. He holds a journalism degree from Point Park University and has more than 15 years of experience covering financial services. He is also the author of three literary fiction novels.
