The Revolving Door Turns At NCUA AndCUNA

WASHINGTON - (11/30/05) -- A major upheaval in CUNA's lobbyingranks is afoot as the trade association's toptwo lobbyists, JohnMcKechnie and Gary Kohn, are poised to leave and take jobs at NCUA,several sources told The Credit Union Journal. McKechnie, CUNA'schief lobbyist, is expected to be hired as NCUA's congressionalliaison to replace Cliff Northup, who is exiting the agency inJanuary. Kohn is preparing to take the job as top assistant to newNCUA Board member Gigi Hyland, pending a full FBI background check.The two CUNA lobbyists are following similar routes taken recentlyby other CUNA operatives, including former CUNA vice presidentSteve Bosack, who recently completed a term as top assistant toBoard member Deborah Matz before returning to the CUNA fold as anexecutive with the National CU Foundation, and former CUNA Boardmember Holly Herman, who currently serves as Johnson's topaide.