CUNA Expands Washington Office Roles for Magill and Newton Posted by AVCU on 3:10 PM

CUNA President / CEO Bill Cheney today announced that, effective September 1, Susan Newton and John Magill will each take on components of the CUNA Washington office chief-of-staff position held by Richard McBride, who is retiring at year end.

As Executive Vice President for Government Affairs and Special Assistant to the President, Magill, a 30-year veteran of Capitol Hill before coming to CUNA in May 2006, will continue to offer strategic counsel on legislative and political issues while overseeing the day to day operations of those key advocacy areas. He will also handle a number of administrative and other related matters inherent in the daily operations of the CUNA Washington office. Prior to this change Magill was CUNA senior vice president of legislative affairs.

Newton, as Executive Vice President of System Relations, will provide strategic counsel on credit union system issues, manage CUNA’s many external relationships, and continue to serve as head of league relations, state advocacy, and executive director of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL). Newton came to CUNA from the Texas Credit Union League in 1996 as senior vice president of league relations.

“CUNA has a terrific advocacy team in place to further our strategic advocacy goals and a series of new initiatives we have planned to build upon our political strength in Washington and the states,” said Cheney. “Susan Newton and John Magill are both extremely qualified, accomplished executives who have the right experience to take on these added responsibilities.”

Additionally, Cheney announced that under a new management structure, Newton and Magill will report directly to him, as will Executive Vice President and General Counsel Eric Richard, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Franklin, Chief Economist Bill Hampel, Chief Financial Officer Joanne Duncan, and Senior Vice President of Communications Mark Wolff. McBride’s chief-of-staff position is not being filled.

“The changes I am putting in place will create a flatter, more responsive organizational structure that will enrich communications within the organization,” said Cheney. “The result will further enhance our efficiency and effectiveness.”

CUNA’s McBride is retiring at year-end after 15 years with the association, and will serve in a transitional role between September 1 and December 31. Cheney thanked McBride for his service to CUNA. “Rich is one-of-a-kind and an unsung hero at CUNA; his perspective and insights have contributed immeasurably to the association’s success over the years and have been of help to me personally during my first year as CEO. All of us at CUNA are grateful for his dedicated service and wish him the best in his retirement.”