Retirements Benefits Boost CUNA ExecPay

WASHINGTON - (08/30/04) -- Large one-time contributions todefined benefits plan helped raise compensation for CUNA's topofficers in the double digits last year. Documents obtained by TheCredit Union Journal show that while CUNA President Dan Mica had aslight 1.25% reduction in his 2003 annual salary to $688,372, adoubling in benefits to $154,946, pushed his total compensation8.5% higher in 2003 to $843,318. The benefits payments also boostedtotal compensation packages for Mica's top aide Richard McBride by25% to $387,039; senior vice president Pete Crear by 33% to$475,135; general counsel Eric Richard by 21% to $361,967; andchief financial officer Mary Meixelsperger by 7% to $239,839.Salaries for the top execs in 2003 were: McBride $274, 484 (+1.9%);Crear $297,051 (+1%); Richard $275,300 (+6%) and Meixelsperger$200,960 (+1%).