WASHINGTON-Several candidates are testing the waters for the pending opening on the NCUA Board, with two former board members among the group.
They are David Chatfield, the former president of the California CU League, who served on the NCUA Board from 1988 to 1989 and Geoff Bacino, who served in 2000 to 2001. Chatfield, who retired to live in Hawaii two years ago, is being boosted by the California league and has strong political connections built up over three decades of influence in the movement. Bacino has proven himself a canny politician having been appointed to the NCUA Board by Democratic President Bill Clinton and to the Federal Housing Finance Board, the former regulator for the Federal Home Loan Banks, by Republican President George Bush. Both are Democrats.
Also expressing interest are: Robert Hall, former executive assistant to NCUA Chair Norm D'Amours, then a lobbyist for Navy FCU and Fannie Mae; and Caroline Jordan, executive director for NCUA under D'Amours, according to several sources. Another candidate who has expressed interest is Michael Reyna, former chairman of the Farm Credit Administration Board.
The next opening on the board is scheduled to occur in April when Rodney Hood's six-year term expires. Whoever is selected for the position likely would be nominated to chair the board, since sitting presidents generally prefer to put their own picks in the chairman's seat. But President Obama could pick Gigi Hyland, the only Democrat currently on the board.
