Cheek is a former and current member of the AFSA Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

1st Franklin, based in Toccoa, Ga., provides personal loans as well as mortgage loans. Cheek began his career with the company, then named Franklin Discount Company, in 1961. He served as vice president and general counsel until he was elected president of 1st Franklin Corporation in 1972.

Born in Toccoa, Ga., Cheek is a graduate of Emory University and Emory University Law School, and is a member of both the American Bar and Georgia Bar Associations. He is active in business and civic organizations and currently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Georgia Council on Economic Education and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators Foundation, Inc. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Financial Services Association and the American Financial Services Association. He is a member of the Chief Executives Organization and the Stephens Country Development Authority. His past affiliations include: past chairman of the Toccoa Downtown Development Authority and the Salvation Army Advisory Board, president of the Toccoa Rotary Club, the Toccoa-Stephens Country Chamber of Commerce, and past chairman of president of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Financial Services Association.

Cheek is a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, Boy Scouts of America and the American Financial Services Distinguish Service Award (DSA).