- December 14, 2025
Basilia Brown was recently named one of the 40 under 40 business leaders in Volusia and Flagler counties, but the vice president of the Vystar Credit Union Port Orange branch didn't achieve that honor without hard work.
Brown's journey to vice president began 15 years ago when she first started in banking as a teller at what she describes as a small community in West Virginia. She began working her way up and eventually joined Vystar in 2011 before switching to the credit union side where she was then promoted to a management position.
According to Brown, reaching that goal meant being flexible and willing to do what was needed and go wherever the company wanted her while always being open to feedback.
"It has been challenging at times," Brown said. "I came into Vystar when everyone was going through the market crash and I learned so much from the customer service side."
Brown attributes much of what she learned to the mentors she had along the way. She added that the feedback she received helped her grow as a person and as a leader, something she attributes to reaching her current position. Now she is able to use those same experiences to coach her staff and help them move into the positions they are working toward.
Brown, who has always considered herself knowledgeable when it comes to math, said her job is just another way to assist people who are struggling financially or guide a younger person who is starting out with credit.
"I want to be able to help people with that," Brown said. "Finance is a huge part of your everyday lifestyle. It doesn't matter what your age is."
And being flexible with her job has brought Brown to Port Orange. About a year and a half ago, Brown relocated from Jacksonville with her company to build a market in Port Orange. But Brown hasn't stopped at making her Vystar work a success. She has jumped into her community to become involved as much as possible with the other businesses as well as organizations and events throughout the city.
Brown now sits on the board of directors for the Port Orange South Daytona Chamber and is an incoming board member for the Port Orange South Daytona Rotary Club through which she has become part of the support for Family Days.
"I see all of the good things that the Rotary and the Chamber and Family Days do locally to give back to the community in ways that I couldn't," Brown said. "That's my opportunity to be able to be a part of something that's bigger than me. With those groups I'm able to serve in a different way, not just financially."
Brown said she has been able to build strong relationships with local business owners in the community and has also received support from the Chamber when it comes to the business side of her own work.
Port Orange is a place Brown has come to love and where she hopes to stay long term to continue growing the business, noting that the "possibilities are endless."
As for her advice to young girls who also want to work their way up the career ladder, Brown has this statement:
"Believe in yourself and have a few good mentors, people that you can trust for support and rely on for support, encouragement and also feedback."
