Award Gala Programs
Hero Award Honorees
2025
Lifetime Achievement
Sandy Milton | Chief Operations Officer, Piedmont Advantage Credit Union
Advancing Equity Award
Southern Regional Chapter (SRC) of AACUC
Partner in Philanthropy
James V. and Elizabeth N. Hamilton Foundation and Summit Credit Union
Partner in Philanthropy
The Philanthropy Summit
2024
Lifetime Achievement
Jack Thornton | Summit Credit Union, Board Chair
Partner in Philanthropy
SECU Foundation
Partner in Philanthropy
Members Credit Union
Advancing Equity
Louisiana "Lou" Wright Sanders | SRP FCU, Board Member
2023
Lifetime Achievement
Cathy Pace | Allegacy FCU
Lifetime Achievement
Penny Pratt | Family Trust FCU
Lifetime Achievement
Robert Wilson | Spero Financial FCU
Individual Achievement
Kelly Nix | REV FCU
Advancing Equity Award
Neighbors United FCU
2022
Lifetime Achievement
Nick Wodogaza | President & CEO Palmetto Citizens FCU
Lifetime Achievement
Chuck Purvis | President & CEO Coastal CU
Lifetime Achievement
Valerie Marsh | President & CEO Acclaim FCU
Advancing Equity
Coastal CU’s Internal Welcome Diversity culture.
Advancing Equity
Carolina Foothills FCU’s external affordable housing loan program and cultivated community partnerships
Partner in Philanthropy
Andrew Williams | My CU Mortgage for the Carolinas Clay Classic
2021
Lifetime Achievement
Ann Johnston | Board Chair of Allegacy FCU
Advancing Equity
Maurice Smith | CEO of Local Government FCU and Civic FCU
Partner in Philanthropy
Champion CU’s Member & Employee Relief Fund
Partner in Philanthropy
Paula Richnafsky | SC FCU Foundation
2019
Lifetime Achievement
Steve Harkins | SC Telco FCU, CEO
Lifetime Achievement
Bill Smith | Coastal CU, Volunteer
Lifetime Achievement
Steve Smith | Sharonview FCU, CEO
Individual Achievement
Deb McLean | VP Marketing & Business Development, Nova CU
Partner in Philanthropy
Coastal Credit Union Foundation
2018
Lifetime Achievement
Marc Schaefer | Truliant FCU, CEO
Partner in Philanthropy
Robert Harris | Health Facilities FCU, President/CEO
Partner in Philanthropy
Upstate SC Credit Unions Annual Charitable Giving Campaign
2017
Lifetime Achievement
Dorinda Edwards | American Partners CU, President/CEO
Lifetime Achievement
John Radebaugh | Carolinas Credit Union League, President/CEO
Lifetime Volunteer Achievement
Maria Scanga Latina Community CU, Board Chair
Individual Achievement Award
Cathy Pace | Allegacy FCU, President/CEO