Alabama State Senate Committee Nixes Governor's Nominee for Credit Union Administrator Position

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – In a surprise and unexpected move, the Democrat-controlled Alabama Senate Confirmation Committee last week rejected Republican Gov. Bob Riley’s appointment of Terrell Glen Latham as the Administrator of the Alabama Credit Union Administration. Gary Wolter, president/CEO of the Alabama Credit Union League said the League was “shocked by the Senate’s action” because the League had not received any indication from Latham nor anyone else, that problems were anticipated with Latham’s confirmation. Wolter added that he didn’t think the Committee’s action was directed personally towards Latham or credit unions, but it was the result of “infighting between the political parties.” Vicki Williams, senior executive vice president for the ACUL confirmed there has been a power struggle ensuing between the Democratic-leadership and Republican members of the 35-member Senate. “Latham got caught in the crossfire,” she said, adding that she couldn’t recall there ever being a prior problem with any credit union administrator appointment a governor sent to the Committee for confirmation. Latham, in fact, wasn’t the only victim of the political environment in the state Senate. Several other unrelated appointments have already been rejected by the Senate because of the infighting between the two parties, and the Confirmation Committee also rejected the governor’s appointments to the state liquor board. However, the Committee did confirm all seven appointees to the Credit Union Board of the Alabama Credit Union Administration including: Charles Faulkner, president, Jefferson County ECU, Birmingham; Earl Griffin, president, Five Star CU, Dothan; Jerry Goss, president, Landmark CU, Fairfield; Larry Morgan, president, APCO ECU, Birmingham; Linda Cencula, president/CEO, Alabama Telco CU, Hoover; Natalie Neal, chief financial officer, Industrial Relations CU, Montgomery; and Price Legg, vice chair, Alabama Central CU, Birmingham. Had Latham been confirmed, it would have resulted in him being the state’s credit union supervisor for a second time. He previously served in the position under Republican Gov. Fob James, and he remained in office for about the first year of Democrat Gov. Don Siegelman’s term. He was eventually succeeded by Kevin Maguire. When Riley took office in February 2003, he nominated Latham for the position again. In addition to working as Administrator of the Alabama Credit Union Administration, Latham also worked for about 30 years in executive positions at America’s First FCU and Mutual Savings CU, both located in Birmingham. The League said it has been informed by the Governor’s Appointments Office that Gov. Riley’s office has a backup name in reserve for the appointment, but the name won’t be disclosed until the governor is ready to make the nomination. Williams said the governor could also decide to consider new nominations. If that happens, she said the ACUL Board wouldn’t nominate anyone since its unwritten policy is to remain neutral on Administrator nominations “because we have to have a working relationship with the Administration.” Credit unions, however, can submit nominations. -