TAMPA, Fla.— One of the best-known credit union leaders of his time, Perry Dawson, has died. Dawson was 95 years old.
Dawson served as president and CEO of Suncoast Credit Union from 1967 to 1996. During his tenure he oversaw growth from 4,500 members and 18 employees to what would become the 12th largest credit union in the country at the time of his retirement.
“His door was always open, and he was the leader who shared knowledge and tools to enable others to prosper and achieve financial well-being,” the credit union said in a statement. “To employees, he was known to be a caring leader who valued listening, took a personal interest in the individual, and loved the credit union and staff with his whole heart.”
‘Impressive Career’
Added Suncoast CU CEO Kevin Johnson, “It hurts to lose this industry pioneer, but we honor his life of caring and serving others through his impressive career. I, along with our many colleagues who worked with him or under his tutelage, appreciate his steady, calm guidance and leadership and we will miss him.”
Suncoast described Dawson as a pioneer within the credit union movement who “exuded the people helping people philosophy, maximizing return to the member and being mindful of those who lived in the margins. Many of our industry’s foundational principles of financial democracy are a direct reflection of his leadership, guidance, and moral compass as he was involved at the state and federal level in the early stages of growth of credit unions around the country.”
Career Accolades
Among the accolades achieved by Dawson during his career:
- Chairman of CUNA, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award
- Chairman of CUES
- Charter member of CUES Hall of Fame, 1988
- CUES Executive of the Year, 1994
- Founder and board member of the Education Credit Union Council
- Voted Most Admired Credit Union CEO in the United States in 1989
- Director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Jacksonville branch, six years
- Past president of the Tampa Chapter of the Florida Credit Union League
Mr. Dawson is survived by his wife, Ruth, four daughters and nine grandchildren.
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