WASHINGTON–CUNA’s chief operating officer and chief of staff, Rich Meade, is leaving the trade association. CUNA did not say where Meade is headed other than to say an announcement would be coming soon.
Meade joined CUNA in 2014 along with Jim Nussle when he was named president/CEO. Meade had worked as a senior aide to Nussle while he was in the House of Representatives representing Iowa. Among his roles was policy adviser for the committees on which Nussle served, including Ways and Means, Banking and Financial Services and Agriculture.
In an email to CUNA staff from Nussle, Meade issued a statement noting “A little over two years ago, a friend and mentor offered me an incredible opportunity to serve as the Chief Operating Officer and his Chief of Staff at the Credit Union National Association. Recently another friend and mentor offered me an opportunity that professionally and personally I cannot pass up particularly in light of the recent elections. So, I have made the difficult decision to leave my role at CUNA for this new opportunity. I have learned a lot at CUNA and have had incredible experiences. I know there is a lot of exciting things happening at CUNA and I wish you well in pursuing these endeavors.”
Nussle said he and Jill Tomalin, CUNA’s deputy chief of staff, are working on a transition plan for CUNA with a year-end departure date for Meade.
Most recently Meade has been leading CUNA’s efforts to develop a blockchain technology platform for credit unions that would be the underpinnings of a shared ledger.
“I am very thankful to have had Rich join me on this journey for my first two years at CUNA,” said Nussle in his email to CUNA staff. “He has much to be proud of from his leadership experience here and our members and 1CUNA team are better off for his service.”