He added that CUNA is a good place to work and credit union people are a lot of fun.

As you age, Mica-now 62-said, satisfaction in life comes from seeing other people enjoy life. CUNA, under his leadership, "has had tremendous successes that have helped consumers and the credit union movement," he noted.

Right now, CUNA is undergoing its second five-year review of the Renewal process that reduced the number of board members, restructured membership, and brought its headquarters to Washington, D.C., among other things. All of these tweaks made CUNA and the system stronger, Mica asserted.

Additionally, the Credit Union Membership Access Act (H.R. 1151) saved the credit union movement at the time-a "historic turning point," Mica said-but even eight years later credit unions are fighting to undo some of the losses that came with survival; the bankers had amendments lined up to "kill" credit unions, he recalled. He said the credit union movement would have spiraled downward had it had to cut off membership to 15-25 million members at the time following the Supreme Court decision. "If that had happened, it would have killed the movement," he explained.

"Critics often don't understand the full ramifications of what a loss would have meant," Mica said. None of the negative items from 1151 were "negotiated away. We fought and lost." Since that time, CUNA has worked to reverse some of the damage done during the crisis through regulatory relief measures; provisions are included in the House regulatory relief bill to re-up the minimum vote to convert to mutual savings banks and CURIA contains a risk-based capital framework to counter Prompt Corrective Action constraints.

CUNA and the leagues have even built Credit Union House, a Mica initiative, which he referred to as "our beacon, our lighthouse here on Capitol Hill. All 50 states are up there constantly beating the drum," he said. Many events, hosted by credit union people and members of Congress, are held there, including recently Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Congressman Mike Michaud (D-Maine).

"From where we started out to where we are today is a different universe," Mica commented. Over the last decade, CUNA's political action committee has even grown from about $700,000 to $3.5 million, from unranked to fifth largest right now. The industry went from virtually no recognition to getting noticed on Capitol Hill. "I take a lot of pride in that but it's not me. It's a great team," Mica said of his staff.

He said he has sat on a lot of boards in his time, but the staff at CUNA consistently makes presentations to the board that "just knock your socks off." Mica added, "I just sit there like a father beaming with pride." If the look is anything like his excited description of it, it is undeniable.

"I don't think the credit union world has a full understanding of how much this trade association works on their behalf every day." he said. "Far more goes on than what they could require us to do because [the employees] believe in what they do."

CUNA Strategic Services has been another turn-around story during Mica's watch. He explained how CUNA sold off what it could and was left with a handful of services that no one wanted except for the smaller credit unions that were using them. John Franklin has done "a remarkable job" in rehabilitating them into a profitable entity that also helps credit unions save a buck compared with similar services. Last year CSS saved these credit unions $33 million and did $100 million worth of business.

CUNA itself jumped from $12.6 million in assets in 1995 to $29.5 million in 2005. Member equity increased nearly four-fold during that time to $12.9 million and revenues almost doubled from $24.4 million in 1995 to $47.2 million in 2005.

And now virtually 100% of dues money goes toward advocacy and core functions, the things members have said they want most from their trade association, Mica explained. CSS has to fund itself.

"Credit unions tell us the No. 1 concern they have by a mile is taxation," he listed as a perennial issue for credit unions. More timely topics where CUNA is working NCUA and the Hill are data collection of modest means members, how modest means is defined, mutual savings bank conversions, PCA, and member business lending.

After years of defending themselves and turning the other cheek, CUNA has gone on the attack against the bankers, pointing out their greed to anyone in earshot, including lawmakers and reporters. Lately, the FDIC has come under fire by CUNA for holding off on charging premiums even though the insurance fund is expected to fall below the designated reserves. The stakes could get even higher as CUNA mulls over legal action, Mica said.

"There is a reasonable chance we will be filing some lawsuits against them on some issues," Mica commented. CUNA is also looking at launching an attack on certain public policy issues concerning regulatory and congressional matters as well, though he would not go into specifics.

"Their actions dictate we get harsher and more direct.I regret we have to spend the time and money to look at these issues," Mica said. CUNA has already put together a working group studying the possibilities.

He added that one of his regrets over his 10 years at CUNA is not being able to connect with some of the bank CEOs and recognize that banks and credit unions could live together in harmony. He said he has tried to reach out to the CEOs of the top banks every year, but to no avail.

Mica has another key disappointment to add to his list that has haunted him from his first days at CUNA. Particularly with the consolidation of the credit union industry, he is "saddened" that CUNA and NAFCU have not merged. "We're positioned for a well thought out blending of the best of both organizations," Mica said, admitting he had "become a lightening rod on that issue."

Revving up the industry with these two issues, Mica has no thoughts of slowing down, though he has cut back his travel from 150 to 200 days a year to 100 days a year. He said retirement is not something he is looking at right now, but he is also keenly aware that he does not want to overstay his welcome.

Still, he will make time for his reading and golfing. Somewhat a student of popular culture, Mica has read all the Harry Potter books yet, on the other end of the spectrum, after opting for Cliff's Notes in college for Steinbeck's Cannery Row, he went back recently and read the complete book and the rest of Steinbeck's work. This eclectic a soul could only lead one to believe Mica when he says with a huge smile that he received a varsity college letter in music for Social, Folk, and Square Dance. [email protected]