Press
Rich Meade named Chief Operating Officer and Chief of Staff of CUNA
(October 14, 2014) — Rich Meade joined the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), the nation’s largest trade group for credit unions, as Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer, as of Oct. 13. In this role, he serves as the association’s second-ranking executive.
“Rich has long experience in strategies related to legislation, regulation, political action and communications – all of which will contribute greatly to the success of credit union advocacy and to CUNA,” said Jim Nussle, CUNA president and CEO. “Rich worked for me on Capitol Hill during my entire congressional career and will bring to CUNA a solid understanding of my leadership style and priorities. He will play a central, day to day role in maintaining a focus on our goals and priorities as we move the strategic plan forward including protecting the credit union tax exemption, advancing regulatory relief, promoting the call to action on data breaches, and achieving our shared vision that more Americans will choose a credit union as their best financial partner.”
Meade served for 14 years with Jim Nussle during his service in Congress. As Chief of Staff to the House Budget Committee, he was the Committee’s principal liaison to the House Leadership, the Administration, and all committees of the House of Representatives. He was also the committee’s leading policy director, placing him at the center of major legislative accomplishments in the 107th and 108th Congresses.
Meade also served in Nussle’s congressional office as Legislative Assistant, Legislative Director, Chief of Staff and Lead Policy Advisor for the committees on which Nussle served including the Ways and Means Committee, Banking and Financial Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee. Prior to that, Rich worked for former Rep. Tom Tauke (R-IA) and served on Congressman Tauke’s U.S. Senate campaign. Additionally, Meade served as an advisor on economic matters to the re-election campaign of President George W. Bush in 2004 and helped arrange the first campaign visit to Iowa of then-Governor Bush in 1999.
Prior to joining CUNA, Meade served as Managing Director of Prime Policy Group, a public policy and government affairs firm.
“Rich has over twenty-five years of legislative and political experience, and I know will add much value to the work of the association,” said Nussle.
Meade graduated with distinction from the George Washington University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. He and his wife, Elizabeth, reside in Falls Church, Virginia with their four children.