Editor's Note: Patch profiles the recent winners of Dunedin Chamber of Commerce's business of the year honors.
In just two years as an official part of the Dunedin community, Achieva Credit Union has made a name for itself, and this year it was named the Chamber of Commerce’s large size “Business of the Year.”
“Achieva named business of the year is an incredible experience, but it was not a total surprise since we have built a great relationship with the city and chamber,” said Gary Regoli, Achieva president and chief operating officer.
In 2010 the credit union opened its branch in Dunedin on Virginia Street (off State Road 580 in the Weathersfield Complex) to meet the needs of a growing number of customers between Clearwater and Palm Harbor.
After Nielsen Media Research decided to relocate its call center to Oldsmar, in September 2011, Achieva jumped at the opportunity to acquire the property and an adjacent parcel that will let it expand when future growth becomes necessary, he said.
According to the firm’s website Achieva is spending about $10 million to move its headquarters from Clearwater and relocate some employees from Palm Harbor and Largo to its new 9-acre home at 1659 Virginia St. Renovation will take place over the next year, with plans to create a 67,000-square-foot campus for 140 of its employees.
“It was the great location across from our branch office that attracted us first,” he said. “There are a lot of positives in the new headquarters site; it’s employee friendly and there is plenty of room to grow.
“We love Dunedin, its quaint downtown, the people are wonderful and the city has been great,” he said. “We plan to be active with the city and already are active with the chamber.”
Regoli said he is surprised that more people, especially young people who want to build credit, do not know more about a credit union, which has the same services as their bank.
Achieva plans to be part of the Dunedin community for many years, he added.
