Robert Wilson Awarded the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award

Robert Wilson, Senior Leadership Advisor & Community Advocate for Spero Financial, is awarded The Lifetime Achievement Award by the Carolinas Credit Union Foundation. The Lifetime Achievement Award honors an individual who has made a significant and lasting impact in the credit union industry. Robert was recognized at the Foundation’s Awards Gala in Charlotte, North Carolina on February 7, 2024.

Brian McKay, President and CEO of Spero Financial, shared, “This is a tremendous honor, and one that Robert has earned through his years of work in the credit union industry and the Upstate community. Robert was one of the first leaders I met in my credit union career 20 years ago, and I've been blessed to work beside him, and even more so, blessed to call him a friend.”

As he accepted the award, Robert stated, “If I could summarize my career in one word, it would be serving. Serving is my ‘why’.”

It’s exactly this drive to serve that sets Robert apart and has marked not only his career but his entire life — in service to his family, to his credit union members, and to his community.

Robert’s career within the credit union industry spans over 30 years with much of that time spent as the President and CEO of Anderson Federal Credit Union (AFCU) — a position he held until 2021 with the merger of AFCU and SC Telco Federal Credit Union becoming Spero Financial. In his role as CEO, he led AFCU in expanding the Credit Union’s charter to underserved communities in South Carolina and Georgia and grew assets from $49 million to over $107 million. At Spero Financial, Robert has served as the Senior Vice President, Lending and Sales before transitioning to the Senior Leadership Advisor and Community Advocate.

Beyond these accomplishments, Robert spearheaded countless initiatives directly impacting the betterment of the community. Many of these efforts still live on today, such as Spero Financial’s joint efforts with AnMed Health in powering the Mobile Mammograph Bus – a first-of-a-kind in the nation that Robert, alongside AnMed, pioneered many years ago to ensure affordable and accessible breast image screenings to individuals across the Upstate of South Carolina.

Within his community, Robert has volunteered with Anderson Interfaith Ministries, March of Dimes, Susan G. Komen Foundation, Upstate Homeless Coalition, Meals on Wheels, Foothills Alliance, Haven of Rest Ministries, American Cancer Society, Alzheimer’s Association, Children’s Miracle Network, and more. He has also been devoted to coaching high school basketball— a role he held for over 35 years.

In his tenure, he also has served in volunteer advisory roles for numerous organizations including the Hospice of the Upstate (Board Chairman), Anderson University Board of Visitors, Anderson University Athletic Advisor Board, Innovate Anderson (Executive Committee), South Carolina Credit Union League (Board), South Carolina Credit Union Management Associate (Treasurer), First Carolina Corporate Credit Union (Board), Piedmont Chapter Credit Union (Board).

Robert’s impact on the credit union industry and the Upstate of South Carolina is immeasurable. For those who have had the great pleasure of knowing him throughout his career, it is evident that he embodies the “people helping people” philosophy that defines the cooperative spirit. His genuine spirit is contagious, and his passion to serve is an inspiration to us all.

On behalf of Team Spero, we congratulate Robert Wilson on being recognized with this distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award.