CUNA Hires GOP Insider to Be Chief Lobbyist

The Credit Union National Association has snatched Carl M. Parks away from the Republican National Committee to be its chief lobbyist. He starts next week.

"I am excited about going over there," said Mr. Parks, who since mid- 1997 has been the RNC's congressional and public affairs liaison. "It is going to be a busy year."

Mr. Parks will succeed Charles O. Zuver, who retired last year after 10 years with the trade group.

He will start just before the Supreme Court rules on a lawsuit brought by the banking industry to restrict employer-based credit unions from expanding their membership. The decision could come as early as Feb. 24.

If credit unions lose that case, they will push hard for legislation that would permit employer-based credit unions to add new member groups.

Before joining the RNC, Mr. Parks was a legal counsel specializing in tax and budget issues as well as public outreach for Sen. Paul Coverdell, R-Ga. He was previously a tax and budget counsel for Citizens for a Sound Economy and was legislative counsel for Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Allstate Insurance Co.

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