Simpson’s return to AACUL Board reinforces unified advocacy

The American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL) and America’s Credit Unions (ACU) today jointly announced the return of Scott Simpson, ACU’s new president/CEO and former president of three state leagues, to the AACUL Board.

For AACUL’s membership, which represents every state league across the country, this moment is more than a leadership update: it is a strategic turning point for the movement.

Simpson previously served on the AACUL Board from 2014 to 2021, including two years as Chair, and his return comes at a time when coordination between state and federal advocacy has never been more important. AACUL is the convening arm of the League System.

This connection is critical for credit unions, operating in a landscape shaped by both federal and state decisions. The ability to move legislation, influence regulation, and defend credit unions requires tight alignment between the national advocacy strategy and the state League System.

Simpson’s return to the AACUL Board serves as a lynchpin for that alignment, ensuring that local priorities inform federal strategy, and that national initiatives are backed by strong state-level infrastructure.

This week, AACUL, ACU and other system leaders are gathered in California for an annual, multi-day joint strategic planning session, focused on new ways the entire industry can collaborate across organizational lines. Simpson’s presence on the AACUL Board provides the connective tissue needed to advance shared priorities, strengthen relationships, and modernize the industry’s approach to unified advocacy.

“Coming back to the AACUL Board feels like a family reunion,” Simpson said. “I’ve led three state leagues, and I know firsthand that our system is strongest when we work as one. America's Credit Unions and AACUL will continue moving forward together to deliver unified advocacy for credit unions nationwide.”

AACUL President Brad Miller emphasized the strategic importance of Simpson’s role: “Scott embodies the bridge between national leadership and the League System. His return strengthens our alignment at a moment when state and federal advocacy must be seamlessly coordinated for credit unions to thrive," Miller said.

This joint announcement underscores not only the deepening partnership between ACU, AACUL, the League System and partner organizations but also a shared vision for the future: one system, one voice, and a united advocacy machine powering the entire credit union movement forward.