Recognizing his nearly quarter-century commitment to fighting fraud and protecting consumers, First Commerce Credit Union recently promoted Allen Burkes to Vice President of Risk Management.

Burkes, who previously served as the credit union’s Senior Director of Risk Management, has played a pivotal role in strengthening First Commerce’s culture of fraud detection and consumer protection.

In his new role, Burkes will continue leading FCCU’s enterprise risk management efforts and providing strategic oversight of risk-related initiatives that support the credit union’s long-term growth, resilience and commitment to serving members and communities.

Burkes began his career with First Commerce in 2008 in the credit union’s Collections department. Over the next nearly two decades, he made a significant impact for First Commerce members while serving in a variety of roles, including share draft processor, fraud specialist, senior fraud analyst, risk manager, director of risk management and senior director of risk management.

His career in finance stretches back even further. Burkes recalls seeing his first counterfeit check while working as a teller in 2003.

“My career has had a lot of stepping stones that built me up to the point where I could not only interact with members and help prevent fraud for our credit union, but also build up my team,” Burkes said.

Throughout Burkes’ years of service, First Commerce has nearly tripled in asset size. As the credit union has grown, Burkes has expanded his expertise while helping protect an increasing number of individual and business members from fraud.

Along the way, Burkes has helped develop First Commerce team members — from tellers to risk management professionals — equipping them with fraud prevention best practices that strengthen the organization’s defenses and help safeguard members’ financial well-being.

“Our members and the broader community are safer because Allen Burkes is looking out for them,” said First Commerce Credit Union CEO Cecilia Homison. “Allen exemplifies the credit union mission of helping members improve their lives and embodies First Commerce’s commitment to empowering generations with the knowledge and resources they need to stay safe.”

Burkes’ commitment to stopping scams extends beyond protecting First Commerce members. For 14 years, he has served as chairman of the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Big Bend Fraud and Forgery Task Force.

The task force includes representatives from financial institutions, retail businesses, corporate security organizations, law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. During Burkes’ tenure as chairman, its membership has more than doubled, significantly expanding its size and reach.

Burkes has also played a central role in the “Don’t Fall for the Call” public awareness initiative spearheaded by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The initiative brings together financial institutions, law enforcement agencies and other community partners to combat a rise in impersonation scams targeting people across North Florida.

For Burkes, combating fraud is more than a professional responsibility, it is a community mission.

“For me, it’s education. Once fraud occurs, recovery is difficult in some cases. So, education is key to preventing it from happening in the first place. It’s the biggest reason I have taken fraud prevention beyond my job at First Commerce and into the community as a whole,” Burkes said.

Burkes’ promotion positions First Commerce to remain on the front lines of the fight against fraud for its growing membership of more than 75,000 and to continue serving as a trusted resource for fraud prevention education.