Carrie Hunt to Depart NAFCU to Lead Virginia Credit Union League
After nearly 17 years at NAFCU, Hunt will succeed Rick Pillow, who plans a June 30 retirement.
Carrie Hunt, NAFCU’s EVP of government affairs and general counsel, will become the new president of the Virginia Credit Union League in June, VCUL’s board of directors said Thursday.
She succeeds Rick Pillow, who will retire on June 30 after more than four decades of service to the Richmond-based VCUL, which represents 113 credit unions.
“The search framework and process brought us a number of highly qualified candidates, but Carrie truly shined because she possesses an outstanding record of leadership, she is a respected and trusted advocate for credit unions, and she has a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing credit unions,” VCUL’s Board Chair Patsy Stuard and president/CEO of the $238 million Fort Lee Federal Credit Union in Prince George, Va., said. “She is the right leader for the industry today and for the future we’re working toward.”
At NAFCU, Hunt has managed the association’s legislative, political, regulatory, compliance and research divisions. She also serves as the national trade organization’s staff liaison to federal regulatory agencies, including the CFPB and the NCUA.
Hunt is among the most-respected lobbyists on Capitol Hill, having been named to The Hill newspaper’s top Washington lobbyist lists in 2019 and 2020.
She joined NAFCU in August 2004 as associate director of regulatory affairs and was later promoted to the division’s director, vice president and SVP before rising to her current position.
In 2012, Hunt was named one of the CU Times Women to Watch, for her direct, cooperative leadership style as well as her consistent contributions to the credit union community. She also serves as a board member for the Consumer Federation of America and has been active in CFA policy subcommittees.
“Carrie has been a rock not only to NAFCU but also to me. I was fortunate to work closely with her for 15 years and watched her advocate tirelessly on behalf of our members,” NAFCU President/CEO Dan Berger said. ”Throughout her 17 years of service at NAFCU, Carrie always was energized and found innovative ways to approach issues to effectively inform policymakers on the credit union difference. We wish her much success in her new role as CEO.”