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Green receives Hugh Watson award for leadership excellence at SE CUNA Management School

Southeastern Regional Credit Union Schools (SRCUS) is pleased to announce that Kelli Green of Centric Federal Credit Union (based in West Monroe, LA) has been awarded the 2023 Hugh Watson Award. Selected by vote of her classmates, Green accepted the award on June 23 during this year’s session of the Southeast CUNA Management School in Athens, GA. The award recognizes the exceptional contributions she has made to the class over the course of the three-year program and her outstanding leadership skills.

Mississippi native now Louisiana resident, Green is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and currently serves as senior vice president of marketing at Centric Federal Credit Union. Prior to joining the credit union movement in 2012, she served five years of her career in training and staff development with local community banks. She ‘earned her ears’ from the Disney College Program at Walt Disney World and attributes much of her career preparation to the internship program.

Green is also a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, serving her family and local church alongside her husband, Trey.

While listening to Dr. Craig Piercy, academic advisor for SRCUS, share the significance of the Hugh Watson Award during the graduation ceremony, Green recalls thinking of many classmates deserving of the recognition. In fact, when she heard her name, she was in disbelief to have been recognized amongst such talented leaders. With tears in her eyes, she sat still for a moment in complete gratitude before accepting the award.

“Being recognized by my classmates, now referred to as my extended family is incredibly humbling,” revealed Green. “In fact, it’s not often I’m without words and this moment indeed left me speechless. Honored is an understatement.”

Reflecting on her overall time in the SRCUS program, Green shared: “The degree of experience and program curriculum offered at SRCUS has amplified my knowledge and prepared me to better serve my community through the efforts of the credit union industry. The network of professors, educators and credit union leaders is unmatched. Having graduated from SRCUS is an experience I’ll never take for granted and I look forward to championing future credit union leaders to achieve their own success through the program.”

In 2015, SRCUS instituted the Hugh Watson Award to recognize an outstanding third-year student that demonstrates the characteristics of leadership and excellence – traits embodied by Hugh Watson, the award’s namesake. Watson joined the SRCUS faculty in 1971 and during his tenure, he taught in all three years, served as academic coordinator and facilitated the third-year simulation for 43 years. Upon his retirement from SRCUS, the Hugh Watson Award was established.