The clock is slowly ticking down on Dan Mica's tenure at CUNA. There were rumblings back in August 2009 questioning why he was announcing his exit 16 months in advance. Well, now it's the spring of 2010 and the group still has not selected a successor. Replacing someone at the head of a trade association the size of CUNA and finding someone who can overcome Mica's persona cannot be easy.

I've already written a column on Mica's announcement so I won't belabor his strong suits-he's a politically connected and poised executive who is also a great public speaker and can handle the media. These characteristics have all served to the benefit of CUNA and credit unions.

But times are different now. CUNA's political acumen and awareness of credit unions on the Hill have expanded and should continue to. This is an ongoing effort that needs to be continuously cultivated and maintained. However, political connections can be secured by retaining Mica or someone like him as a lobbyist.