Karen Tyson has been named to succeed Jay Morris as the new senior vice president of marketing and communications at NAFCU.

Tyson has more than 20 years in financial services, most recently as senior vice president of communications for the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA).

“We are delighted to have someone with Karen's credentials and background leading NAFCU's marketing and communications departments,” said NAFCU President/CEO Fred Becker.

“She brings a wealth of marketing expertise, issues management and strategic communications experience to NAFCU. We look forward to her building on our already outstanding reputation,” he said.

While at ICBA, Tyson served as the trade group's spokesman and “played a key role in creating the strategy and messages for advocacy and awareness campaigns that advanced policy agendas and public visibility of community banks by distinguishing (them) from Wall Street banks during the height of the financial crisis,” NAFCU said.

A Virginia Tech grad, Tyson also has served in senior communications roles at the National Association of Mortgage Brokers and the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting.

Her predecessor, Morris, left after 11 years at NAFCU to start his own public relations consulting firm.