Foundation Board of Directors

The ECU Foundation is led by an experienced and committed Board of Directors. The Board of Directors functions as a policy-building group that assists the Foundation in maintaining the spirit, and meeting the outcomes, of its mission and vision.

Marcus Smith, Board President

Marcus was born in Roswell, New Mexico. As a young boy, he moved with his family to Amarillo where he has thrived. He graduated from West Texas A&M University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Business Administration. He has served as Education Credit Union’s CFO since 2015, and he is currently the President and CEO of the credit union. Marcus serves on the board of 24 Hours in the Canyon, and he is the treasurer of the West Plains High School Band Booster Club. He and his wife, Julie, enjoy traveling with their children and watching all three perform in the high school band.

Adrian Alejandre, Board Vice President

Adrian Alejandre grew up in Hereford, Texas. He graduated from West Texas A&M University in 2009 with a Bachelors in Business Administration – Accounting. He has been in the financial services industry since 2006 and joined Education Credit Union in 2021 as the Senior Vice President of Lending. He also serves as the Treasurer of the Hereford ISD Education Foundation. He has one daughter, Claire, and enjoys watching her play multiple sports.

Linda Purdy, Board Member

Linda Purdy grew up in Fort Worth, Texas where she graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington with a degree in mathematics. She received certification to teach math and Spanish and taught at the secondary level for seven years in Abilene, San Angelo, and Amarillo. In 1983 she joined the Christian Relief Fund staff serving that charity for 33 years. She became Executive Director in 1994, working in that capacity until retirement in 2016. She and her husband, Ira, have two children living in Lubbock, TX and six grandchildren. Linda and Ira enjoy travel and working with their church in various volunteer activities. She has served on the Board of Directors of Education Credit Union since 2009.

Tiffany Sharpensteen, Board Director

Tiffany was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. She has an A.S. degree in Mass Communications from Amarillo College, a B.S. degree in Mass Communications from West Texas A&M University, and an M.B.A. from West Texas A&M University. Tiffany is the Director of Marketing for Education Credit Union and has worked in financial institutions for 17 years in different areas from financial education, retail, and marketing. Tiffany serves on the board of Amarillo Angels and the Arden Road Elementary PTA. She also serves on the Amarillo College Business Leadership Council and the Amarillo College Alumni Association. Tiffany and her husband, AJ, have one son, Bennett, and one daughter, Ryleigh.

Lindsey Murphy, Board Director

Lindsey was born and raised in Amarillo. She has an Associate of Fine Arts degree from Frank Phillips College, and a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications, Advertising, and Public Relations from West Texas AM University. She is the Executive Coordinator for Education Credit Union. She has been with ECU for 14 years. Lindsey serves on the board of Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, and the 100 Club of the Texas Panhandle. She also is on Sharing Hope Ministry Style For Success event committee, and the Harrington Cancer and Health Foundation’s Women’s Circle Grant committee, Our Colors Run Together Race committee, and Advisory committee.

Ty Cox, Board Treasurer

Ty brings to the ECU Foundation a wealth of financial expertise, with over twenty-four years of experience in banking. His diverse career includes roles such as teller, credit analyst, Bank Secrecy Act officer, compliance officer, and commercial lender. Cox served as CFO at another local financial institution for ten years before joining ECU. A native of Amarillo, TX, Cox graduated from West Texas A&M University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science. He furthered his education with a Master of Science in Finance and Economics (MSFE) from West Texas A&M University, graduating in 2010. Cox values his family highly, including his wife, Hope, and their three daughters, Cami, Crosby, and Callan.