Auburn University Credit Union just added some serious financial firepower to its leadership roster. Samuel Washington is stepping into the CFO seat, and he’s bringing more than just spreadsheet skills to the table.
In his new role, Washington will be the person steering the ship on all things money—think financial strategy, accounting, budgeting, investments, asset-liability management, and financial reporting. Basically, if it involves numbers and impacts the credit union’s financial health, it’s in his wheelhouse. He’ll also be working shoulder-to-shoulder with President/CEO Dave Bradford and the Board of Directors to keep the organization’s growth trajectory pointed skyward.
“On behalf of our Board of Directors and the entire team, I am pleased to welcome Samuel Washington as our new CFO,” Bradford said. He didn’t hold back on the praise, either, highlighting Washington’s strategic chops, operational excellence, and genuine commitment to serving members and communities. “As our credit union continues to grow and evolve, Samuel’s expertise will play an important role in strengthening our financial position, supporting innovation, and ensuring we remain focused on delivering exceptional value to our members.”
Washington seems just as pumped about the opportunity. “I’m honored and excited to join a team that is deeply committed to helping members build strong financial futures,” he shared. For him, it’s the sweet spot where finance meets mission-driven work—the kind of role where your passion and purpose actually align. “I look forward to working alongside such a talented team, serving our members, and helping Auburn University Credit Union continue to grow and make a lasting impact.”
The Resume That Got Him Here
Washington isn’t exactly fresh out of school. He’s packing more than seven years of experience across public accounting, financial services, and alternative investment funds—the kind of diverse background that gives you perspective on financial strategy from multiple angles.
Most recently, he was killing it as Senior Accountant at Third Lake Solutions, where he handled quarterly financial reporting for private equity, venture capital, real estate, and credit funds. He also managed complex fund accounting activities and rolled out process improvements that boosted both operational efficiency and reporting accuracy. Before that, he spent time as a Senior Audit Associate with Doeren Mayhew, leading financial statement audits for credit unions and CUSOs, managing audit teams, evaluating risk, and partnering with executive leadership to tighten up internal controls and regulatory compliance.
Credentials That Speak Volumes
On the education front, Washington earned both an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of South Florida. He’s also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)—because apparently one impressive certification wasn’t enough. He’s currently working on Part 2 of his Certified Management Accountant (CMA) certification, having already knocked out Part 1.
The credit union partnered with Humanidei to find their new financial leader.
With Washington now in place, Auburn University Credit Union looks ready to write its next chapter—one where financial strategy and member service go hand in hand.