Dollar Celebrates New Year with NCUA as Likely Nominee Withdraws

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-U.S. Department of Agriculture Deputy Undersecretary Gilbert Gonzalez, the front-runner to fill NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar’s seat on the board, withdrew his name from consideration earlier this year. As the nomination process dragged on, Gonzalez informed Dollar and the White House confirmed that he no longer wished to be considered for the position. Gonzalez explained that he was juggling too many major, ongoing projects at USDA. Gonzalez had previous dealings with NCUA in his current position as a signatory of the partnership agreement between USDA and NCUA under the auspices of NCUA Chairman Dennis Dollar’s Access Across America initiative. Prior to joining USDA, Gonzalez served as president of the Community Development Loan Fund, Inc., in San Antonio, Texas, where he raised funding for community development projects, primarily for Hispanic neighborhoods According to Dollar, the administration asked him to stay at NCUA into early 2004, which he agreed to do. Dollar’s term on the board expired in April. The White House assured him that filling the seat would return to high priority status. Other potential nominees that were floated previously included Alaska USA Federal Credit Union Vice President Nancy Usera, Lockheed Employees Federal Credit Union President Ed Collins, Arizona Banking Commissioner Richard Houseworth, and Wyoming lobbyist Dan Sullivan.