Melissa Gardner, community outreach coordinator at AndrewsFederal Credit Union, will serve as the sole credit unionrepresentative on the newly created Maryland Financial Education& Capability Commission.

Gardner was appointed by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, according to the $900 millionAndrews FCU in Suitland, Md.

The commission's task is to improve the financial education and capability of residents of the state bymonitoring the implementation of public and private initiatives,according to officials. The commission will make recommendations onthe coordination of financial education and capability effortsacross state agencies and submit reports on its findings.

“I'm excited to be appointed to the only credit union seatavailable on the commission,” Gardner said. “Andrews Federal hashad a financial education department since 2005 and we, along withother credit unions in the state, continue to see financialeducation as an important part of our service to our members.”

The commission will meet for the first time on Friday at theMaryland Department of Housing and Community Development inCrownsville, Md.

Sen. Katherine Klausmeier (D-Md.) and Maryland Delegate DanaStein (D-Baltimore County) serve as co-chairpersons for thecommission.