Charles Elliott, president/CEO of the Mississippi Credit Union Association (MSCUA), was recognized with the 2020 Eugene H. Farley League Leadership Award by the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) at a private reception during CUNA’s Governmental Affairs Conference.
The award honors a league employee who demonstrates visionary leadership at the state and national levels.
Both surprised and visibly moved by the award, Elliott addressed the group, “I care about every credit union and every credit union member…I work for everybody else; nobody works for me.” Elliott continued, “Hurricane Katrina was the best job that God ever gave me…We got 1.4 million dollars - from your leagues, your credit unions - that came to Mississippi. And we were able to give it to 144 people who lost their homes, and most of them didn’t get a dime from anywhere else.”
Elliott’s career at the Mississippi Credit Union Association began immediately out of college, in January 1980, as a league consultant, making 2020 is his 40th service anniversary with MSCUA. He subsequently held the positions of director of education/public relations, director of consulting services, and executive vice president of the Mississippi Credit Union League and League Services Corporation. He was appointed president/CEO of the Mississippi Credit Union Association in January 1989.
Elliott has earned a 100% affiliation rate among Mississippi credit unions, which have grown and prospered throughout his 40-year tenure.
“Charles Elliott consistently cultivates and maintains personal relationships with MSCUA members at every level,” praises Fred Robinson, president/CEO of the Tennessee Credit Union League. “He has created an environment of trust and respect for both himself and the organization he leads.”
“It was an honor to present this award to Charles. He has demonstrated substantial leadership in a variety of times and places, especially in Mississippi,” praised Diana Dykstra, AACUL Chair and President and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. “He truly loves his career and has both a heart and mind that thrives on opportunities to help Mississippi credit unions succeed. He understands the ‘big-picture’ view of industry issues as well as their effect on Mississippi credit unions. In fact, he is so dedicated to his home state, he developed the Mississippi Credit Union Hall of Fame program to recognize the dedication and service of Mississippians.”
“I admire Charles’ ability to lead through relationships both with his credit unions - as he answers calls from a credit union staff member or volunteer, anytime, anywhere and personally attends credit union special events and chapter meetings whenever possible - and with his team at MSCUA where he is an admired and respected leader,” shared Brad Miller, executive director of AACUL.
Elliott’s distinguished career includes several key advocacy opportunities, including as a delegate to President Clinton’s Summit on Retirement Savings in 1998 as well as a delegate to President Bush’s 2002 National SAVER Summit; a key legislative communication role for credit unions during the HR 1151 effort with former Senator Trent Lott (R-MS), who was Majority Leader at the time and held the responsibility for bringing credit union's legislation to the floor for a vote; providing oral and written testimony to the House Financial Services Subcommittee about financial institutions’ response to Hurricane Katrina and ways Congress could help hurricane afflicted credit unions recover and continue their service to members.
Elliott has served many positions on industry boards including Credit Union House Chairman, CUNA Board Member, CUNA Volunteer Leadership Committee Member, CUNA Finance Committee Member, AACUL Political Involvement & Grassroots Committee Member, National Youth Involvement Board Executive Committee Member and as a Trustee for Southeast Regional Credit Union Schools, Inc. (SRCUS). Elliott’s accolades include: being among the first in the country to earn the Certified League Executive (CLE) designation; the Certified Development Educator (CUDE) designation; the National Credit Union Foundation Anchor Award for his “strength, perseverance and leadership in helping credit unions recover from Hurricane Katrina”; AACUL’s President's Award; the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders award; CUNA’s Credit Union Hero of the Year Award finalist.
The Farley League Leadership Award was endowed by a contribution from Richard Heins, former CEO of CUNA Mutual Group, and named in honor of Gene Farley, former CEO of the Virginia Credit Union League, in recognition of his longtime leadership in the credit union movement.
Past Farley Award winners present at the event pose for a picture with Elliott. From L to R: Scott Earl, president of Mountain West Credit Union Association; Dick Ensweiler, former president of the Cornerstone Credit Union League; Caroll Beach, former president of Colorado Credit Union League; Pat Jury, former president of the Iowa Credit Union League; Tracie Kenyon, president of Montana’s Credit Unions; Charles Elliott, president of the Mississippi Credit Union Association; Diana Dykstra, president of California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues; Mike Mercer, former president of Georgia Credit Union Affiliates; and Joe Bergeron, president of The Association of Vermont Credit Unions.
Charles Elliott addresses the group after accepting his Farley Award from AACUL Chair Diana Dykstra.
Charles Elliott poses with AACUL Executive Director Brad Miller and AACUL Board Chair Diana Dykstra.
Charles Elliott poses with Bill Farley, son of the award’s namesake Gene Farley.