AACUL Recognizes Scott Simpson with ‘Eagle Award’ — its Highest Honor

Brad Miller and Scott Simpson

​The California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, Utah’s Credit Unions, and the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) are honored to announce Scott Simpson was awarded this week with AACUL’s highest recognition — the prestigious Eagle Award. Simpson is President and CEO of the three state-level associations and proudly represents all credit unions and their members.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Eagle Award,” Simpson said during a special event at the yearly AACUL Winter Conference in Miami, FL. “This recognition is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the collaborative and amazing efforts of my incredible teams representing California, Nevada, and Utah credit unions and the values we uphold in our movement.”

Larry Palochik, Executive Vice President of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, said the leadership Simpson exemplifies in the credit union movement has demanded courage to address critical issues, confront challenges, and leverage unique opportunities. “It is our responsibility to push boundaries, challenge the status quo, and inspire positive change within our credit union world and beyond. For that, we want to thank Scott for his bold leadership on behalf of our leagues in California, Nevada, and Utah — and the entire state credit union association ecosystem.”

Stephen Nelson, Executive Vice President of Credit Union Support for Utah’s Credit Unions, said Simpson has dedicated his life to credit unions, often contributing and working tirelessly in the background. “Most people haven’t seen Scott’s behind-the-scenes efforts over the years to keep the credit union trade environment stable. It’s not the kind of stuff one broadcasts; you only see it if you have the right vantage point. He has had more positive impact than most people will ever know.”

AACUL President Brad Miller said that throughout Simpson’s career, he has always strived to lead with courage, conviction, and a commitment to innovation in the state credit union league arena.

“Anyone who has ever worked with Scott knows that in moments of stress and potentially impactful decisions, he has a cool head,” Miller said. “Many times he has sat down one-on-one with individuals to calmly outline the difficulties of the situation, working with them on coming to a solution that works for all parties. In nearly every visit with policymakers, Scott reinforces the credit union philosophy and that credit unions have consumers’ best interests at heart.”

The Eagle Award recognizes a credit union league/association president who displays an outstanding record of achievement, demonstrates leadership beyond the league level, is willing to speak out and take a stand on important challenges and opportunities, and shows innovation in implementing new ideas.

Impact on California, Nevada, and Utah
As the Leagues continued building and strengthening its alliance with Utah’s Credit Unions in 2024, this strategic move marked a unique opportunity for amplifying advocacy efforts at the local level. Simpson spearheaded this effort, noting that the unique partnership alliance between all three states (California, Nevada, and Utah) is not just about increasing efficiencies and benefitting from cross-state, non-advocacy operations and service strategies. It’s also about creating a stronger, more unified advocacy voice for credit unions in Sacramento, Carson City, Salt Lake City, and Washington, D.C.

By bringing together the collective expertise and resources of three states, Simpson has poised each league to significantly enhance its legislative and regulatory advocacy, making sure the credit union perspective is heard loud and clear. Each league is committed to retaining independent governance of that state’s advocacy agenda through individual boards of directors, ensuring the unique needs and priorities of local credit unions are effectively represented.

Simpson has a long history of implementing long-term strategies to protect credit unions, while also building a positive commercial brand to new levels and making the credit union difference even more widely known and available to Utah families. In 2003, at the age of 34, he became the youngest credit union league president in the nation, joining Utah’s Credit Unions in the middle of a well-documented onslaught of banker legislative attacks over three legislative sessions during six years. By effectively engaging grassroots strength, Simpson led credit unions through a season of hostilities and into an era of relative peace and industry-leading growth. He has navigated several legislative battles — most recently in 2022, when bankers in Utah sought to limit the ability of credit unions to purchase bank assets.

Simpson’s National Role and Contributions
Simpson has engaged the national credit union movement, having served on the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Board of Directors and the subsequent board for America’s Credit Unions. He has also served as chair of the Credit Union Legislative Action Council (CULAC) and as an AACUL board member for nearly a decade. He is deeply involved in the future of credit union advocacy and instrumental in helping AACUL re-focus and re-build its advocacy machinery.

“Scott often served in those capacities during tumultuous times, offering a steady hand at the helm and a reasoned approach to challenges that affect the broader credit union industry,” Miller said. “He now leads a newly formed three-state partnership that will open up an entire new paradigm for credit union leagues to handle all non-advocacy efforts and simultaneously strengthen local advocacy at the state level. Please join me in congratulating Scott as recipient of the 2024 AACUL Eagle Award.”

Prior to his service in credit unions, Simpson worked in Utah electoral politics advising candidates and campaigns at every level of government. He also served as a senior advisor to a United States Senator in Washington, D.C. Nonetheless, the founding purpose of credit unions — people helping people — is what has kept Simpson charging the credit union movement forward.

AACUL’S ‘Eagle Award’
The Eagle Award, which is not conferred every year, was created and first awarded in 1981. When a nominee met the high standards set forth within its criteria, the Eagle Award has been presented 25 times in its 43-year history. It recognizes a league president who has an outstanding record of achievement at the league level, demonstrated leadership beyond the league level, a willingness to speak out on critical and controversial issues, displayed innovation in creating or implementing new ideas, an unremitting dedication to credit union principles, and an unflagging focus on important issues.

Past Eagle Award recipients include Tom Kane (2023); Tracie Kenyon (2022); Rick Pillow (2020); Patrick Conway (2019); Diana Dykstra (2014); Paul Mercer (2013); Brett Thompson (2012); John Annaloro (2010); Mike Mercer (2007); Dan Egan (2006); Dave Chatfield (2004); Dick Ensweiler (2002); Herb Walberg (2000); Tom Griffiths (1998); John Gallagher (1997); Tommy Delk (1994); Gary Plank (1993); Jack Eaker (1989); Bob Bianchini (1987); Mike Judge (1986); Carroll Beach (1985); Gary Wolter (1984); Bill Broxterman (1983); Bob Hood (1982); and Gene Farley (1981).

(PHOTO L-R) American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) President Brad Miller with Eagle Award honoree Scott Simpson, President and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues and Utah’s Credit Unions.

---