Lee Benedict has been honored by the Minnesota Credit Union Foundation as a “Credit Union Builder” as he retires this month after 45 years with the $43 million Soo Line Credit Union in Savage, Minn.

Benedict has been president/CEO for the past 33 years at the 7,600-member SLCU, leading it through two community charter applications – one for the Twin Cities area and one for greater Minnesota –and three mergers.

He also has served 13 years on the board at CU Companies, including a stint as chair, the MnCUF said.

“Lee is a fixture at Soo Line and has directed his credit union through many changes in his career,” said MnCUF Board Chairman Pat Brekken.

“His dedication, commitment and contributions are noteworthy, and I am privileged to bestow this honor upon him,” said Brekken, president/CEO of the $258 million Richfield-Bloomington CU in Richfield, Minn.

The foundation said Benedict is the 20th individual it has presented the Credit Union Builder Award to in the past six years. Their names and credit unions are permanently displayed in the Minnesota Credit Union Network's lobby.

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