She applied that same concept to her career, staying the course for 15 years at Fairwinds, and it paid off. She moved up through the ranks from working as an entry-level credit card clerk and eventually became assistant vice president of branch operations.

"Hard work really does pay off," Wood said. "I wouldn't have believed it when I was working two jobs and going to college. You give up a lot when you do something like that when you're younger. If you put in the hours and work hard, it makes things more possible."

Wood enjoyed the fruits of her labor and endurance once again in 1999 when she accepted a position as president/CEO of FWCCU. When she started at the credit union, it had $18 million in assets and two branches. Now, it has $91 million in assets and five branches.

"We've been able to grow because we have a great staff and a great board," she emphasized. "It's evolved to this great place because of them."

In 2015, FWCCU was ranked 18 out of 50 credit unions in the country with low delinquency rates. It was the only credit union in the state of Florida to make the list, Wood said.

The CEO said part of her credit union's success can be attributed to a strong culture, which she's always working on developing with the credit union's roughly 9,500 members.

"We're all about our membership and relationships," Wood said. "We are a closed field of membership because we are a county credit union, so we've been able to build a really special relationship. Everything we do is in the best interest of the county and its employees."

Wood said her job as president/CEO has grown and evolved over the years, specifically in regard to her political involvement in the credit union movement.

"I believe we should be very active in the political world to make sure our legislators know what credit unions are about, for the good of our members," Wood said.

For her, political advocacy isn't just a good idea; it's something she's taken action on and been rewarded for. In 2013, CUNA recognized Wood and her husband, Art Wood, with the Buck Levins award for their work in political advocacy on behalf of credit unions.

Wood also served as the chairman of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions and now serves as a board member for the league. The experience has been one of the highlights of her career, she said.

"I would encourage people to be involved in their trade association," Wood said. "It ties into the political activity. I enjoy that aspect of our business as well."

Serving as a president/CEO runs in Wood's family. Her husband is a retired, 40-year credit union industry veteran and the former president/CEO of the $303 million Railroad and Industrial Federal Credit Union in Tampa, Fla.

She said she's learned a lot from him.

"I've always admired him and I was fortunate enough to marry him," she recalled. "We're like-minded even though our management styles are very different. I knew him long before we were ever married. It's interesting to look back now and say, 'Wow, I learned from him.'"

The Women to Watch honoree said it's important to share success with others.

"I want to give credit where it's due," Wood said. "I don't take credit for the success of the credit union. I really give credit to my management team and individuals who have made things possible, who have made us a success. I believe in rewarding and recognizing those individuals who deserve it."

She said she lives by the Ronald Reagan quote, "There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit," adding that a lot can get done behind the scenes, as long as you don't care about recognition.

"I'm fine being behind the scenes," she said.