A passion for children and education pushed Debbie Blackshear to get involved in the Cy-Fair community, giving her the opportunity to influence thousands of students through her work with several nonprofits and Cy-Fair ISD bond committees.

Her love for helping others in the community began during her time at the Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union, which allowed her to get customers out of debt and finance weddings and new vehicles, she said.

Blackshear moved to Cy-Fair with her family in 1978 and was a stay-at-home mom until she took a position as a receptionist with the credit union in 1984. The company began growing, and through the years Blackshear worked her way up through new positions such as loan officer, credit manager and vice president of lending until she became president in 1995.

"I believe it was God's plan. I was in the right place at the right time, and it gave me an opportunity to help other people," she said. "You could help people make their dreams a reality. I really enjoyed helping people improve their financial lives."

Under her leadership, the credit union's assets more than doubled from $41 million to $167 million during her 17-year run as president. The staff grew as well. There were four employees in 1984 but the company had grown to more than 70 under her leadership when she left to retire.

Although she retired from the credit union in 2012, Blackshear remains involved in several local organizations, including Cy-Hope, Boys and Girls Country, the Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce and the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation.

"Debbie has been a very important part of the Cy-Fair community, the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation and all of the other organizations she has supported and loves," CFEF executive director Marie Holmes said. "She is a leader and mentor who truly cares."

Blackshear was the first person to accept a position on the Cy-Hope board, a local nonprofit that strives to help economically disadvantaged children in CFISD.

"Their backpack program allows students to pick up a backpack full of food for the weekend," Blackshear said. "It's great knowing you're helping to feed kids in your community."

Blackshear has also served on four CFISD bond committees, and she was asked by Superintendent Mark Henry to co-chair the committee for the 2014 bond, which was approved by voters in May.

"Co-chairing the committee was a highlight for me in working with the administration and learning more about the district," Blackshear said. "I've always been a raving fan of Cy-Fair ISD—they have the best interest of the kids in their heart."