Grant Abbott Receives Distinguished Young Professional of the Year Award

We are excited to announce our very own Grant Abbott was recently named the 2023 Young Professional of the Year by the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates (LSCU). Each year, LSCU presents its awards at the Southeastern Credit Union Conference & Expo to credit unions and credit union professionals who demonstrated exemplary service and accomplishments during the previous year. The Young Professional of the Year award recognizes an outstanding affiliated credit union professional, age 40 or under, who has shown proven dedication and enthusiasm for the credit union movement.

In 2010, Grant joined Champions First Credit Union as a Financial Services Representative and by 2018 had moved his way up to the rank of Director of Lending and Business Development. He was promoted in 2021 to his current position as the Vice President of Lending and Administration.

“Grant Abbott is an innovative and inspiring leader in the credit union movement and undoubtedly deserving of this award,” shared Samantha Beeler, President of LSCU. “Beyond his exceptional service to his credit union’s members and staff, he is the president of his regional credit union chapter, and he is even serving as mentor to a number of other young professionals. Truly an inspiration for the next generation of credit union leaders from within its own ranks!”

Grant is known by the Champions First Credit Union team as a lending expert, mentor, and coach who helps our team find creative ways to serve our membership. A Certified Fraud Examiner, Grant is also one of only two individuals in the Tallahassee area to hold the Credit Union Business Lending Professional designation and one of the first professionals in the state to hold the Certified Lending Expert designation.

Grant is active in the credit union movement, regularly participating in advocacy events, including speaking at Young Professional Panels and Think Tank events, and has served as the Tallahassee Chapter of Credit Unions President since 2018. Under his leadership, the Chapter has donated more than $47,000 to local charities and credit union organizations. Grant also has held many community roles, including with the Junior Achievement Board of Directors and the FAMU Small Business Development Center Emergency Bridge Loan Committee. Grant gives financial literacy presentations at FSU and local schools and is an active member of his church, teaching Sunday School and Bible Study groups.

“I am so humbled by this honor,” said Grant. “I offer my deepest gratitude to the many leaders who have paved the way for our movement, taking young professionals like me under their wing and inspiring us toward greatness. I’m excited to be a part of the amazing things our movement has and will continue
to accomplish together in the years to come.”

Join us in congratulating Grant for this prestigious honor, and learn more about Grant in this award presentation video.