Samuel R. Whitfield Jr. is CUNA's new vice president, legislative affairs.
Whitfield’s primary role will be to manage the association’s team of congressional advocates and their efforts to execute credit union-CUNA strategies on Capitol Hill.
A former staff member for Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.), in the senator’s roles as both Senate majority leader and Republican leader, Whitfield was most recently a legislative representative with the National Association of Realtors in Washington.
He also served President George W. Bush’s administration as a legislative analyst/public affairs specialist with the White House Office of National Drug Policy. Additionally, he served with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad, Iraq, as a press officer.
“Sam’s broad experience on the Hill and in government, as well as his effectiveness as an advocate, will serve credit unions well in his new role with us,” said CUNA President/CEO Bill Cheney.
Whitfield takes on a position that was formerly held by CUNA Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs Ryan Donovan, who now leads the association’s advocacy efforts with Congress, developing and implementing legislative strategy and providing policy analysis.
John Magill, CUNA executive vice president and special assistant to the president, will continue his role as the association’s chief lobbyist on Capitol Hill as well as providing strategic counsel to association president Cheney.
