WASHINGTON — Seasoned credit union lobbyist Debbie Kwon-Moore will take over as the California/Nevada Credit Union Leagues' director of federal government affairs Nov. 19.
Kwon-Moore will give up her position at CUNA as senior legislative representative Nov. 16 and move just down the hall where the leagues rent space from CUNA. She replaces Ryan Donovan who moved over to CUNA to serve as vice president of legislative affairs.
Kwon-Moore served at CUNA for just over a year, working as the primary contact for members of the House Financial Services, Small Business, Education and Labor, Senate Banking and Health, Education, and Labor and Pensions (HELP) committees. "One thing I hadn't done is focus on one [congressional] delegation and that was new and exciting to me," she commented, explaining that she will actually be representing their voting constituents rather than acting as a Washington lobbyist, which will be interesting.
Prior to joining CUNA, Kwon-Moore was associate director of legislative affairs at NAFCU for several years, where she was the primary liaison to the House Financial Services Committee.
But her credit union roots run even deeper than that, having worked five years for Congressman Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio) who was the author of CUMAA (H.R. 1151) and now an original co-sponsor to the Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act (H.R. 1537). Kwon-Moore also worked for Congressman Tom Lantos (D-Calif.).
"Debbie's long-term experience in working with credit union trade associations and legislators in D.C. makes her a valuable addition to our political advocacy team," California/Nevada Credit Union Leagues President/CEO Bill Cheney said.
"We are looking forward to having Debbie join our team as we continue our efforts to secure favorable Congressional action on HR 1537, the Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act (CURIA)," Bob Arnould, league senior vice president of government affairs, said.
Kwon-Moore will work to advance credit union issues in Congress and at NCUA, a new arena for the Capitol Hill veteran. "That will be new for me but I'll be ready for any new issue or challenge that comes about," she stated.
Her new responsibilities will also include more grassroots work, guiding the leagues' political involvement in the 2008 elections. Kwon-Moore will be getting a sneak peak at her new job and co-workers during the California Credit Union League's Annual Meeting this week.
When asked why she has remained in the credit union movement, Kwon-Moore responded, "Because as corny as it sounds, I actually believe in it." That feeling, she believes, makes her an even more effective lobbyist because members of Congress and Hill staffers see her passion. "It is something that I'm proud to wake up every morning and lobby on behalf of credit unions."
Her boss through Nov. 16, CUNA Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs John Magill commented, "We're not really completely losing here in a sense. She's staying in the office," and "very much in the CUNA family." He added that CUNA works closely with the California/Nevada representative stationed there.
"We're happy for her, and she's still going to be at arm's length," Magill said. CUNA has begun the search for a replacement.
When not rattling cages on Capitol Hill, Kwon-Moore enjoys time with her husband Tom Moore and young daughter Mia. She and Moore are also expecting No. 2 at nearly four months pregnant. "When it rains, it pours," she said of her recent good fortunes.
Kwon-Moore graduated from Emerson College in Boston with a bachelor's degree in advertising and public relations.
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